BCS Programme | London Colleges, UK Colleges, Study in UK

Certificate

BCS Level 4 Certificate in IT

BCS states that its Certificate (BCS Level 4 Certificate in IT) is equivalent to the academic level of Year 1 of a UK university honors degree.

It consists of a two-hour written paper on each of the three compulsory modules:

Information Systems
Software Development
Computer and Network Technology

Entry Requirements

A levels or Equivalent and at least 19 years old

English Requirement: If a Tier 4 (General) student will be studying a course that is below NQF Level 6 (except a Foundation Degree or an English language course), using a CAS issued on or after 12 August 2010, he/she must be competent in English language at a minimum of level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR):
The student must have passed an English language test with an approved test provider for Tier 4, and has achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Click here for a list of approved test providers.

Duration: 1 Year
Fees (International): £3,250
Fees (Home): £2,000
Intake: January & June

Diploma

BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT

BCS states that its Diploma (BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT) is equivalent to the academic level of Year 2 of a UK university honors degree.

It consists of a two-hour written paper on the compulsory core module:

Professional issues in Information Systems Practice

PLUS a two-hour written paper on each of three modules chosen from the following list:

Computer Architecture (to be discontinued after April 2008)
Computer Networks
Database Systems
Object Oriented Programming
Internet Technologies (new for April 2007)
IT Project Management
IT Service Management
Software Engineering 1
Systems Analysis
Systems Design
The Internet & World Wide Web (to be discontinued after April 2008)

AND the Professional Project in IT (BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT level) if you want to finish your studies at this point.

Diploma candidates who do not pass the Professional Project in IT (BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT level) will be issued with a certificate stating that they have passed the Diploma in IT Examination.

OR go on to the Professional Graduate Diploma.

Entry Requirements

A levels or Equivalent and at least 19 years old

English Requirement: If a Tier 4 (General) student will be studying a course that is below NQF Level 6 (except a Foundation Degree or an English language course), using a CAS issued on or after 12 August 2010, he/she must be competent in English language at a minimum of level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR):
The student must have passed an English language test with an approved test provider for Tier 4, and has achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Click here for a list of approved test providers.

Duration: 1 Year
Fees (International): £3,500
Fees (Home): £2,250
Intake: January & June

PGD in IT

Professional Graduate Diploma in IT

This level is the academic equivalent to Year 3 of a UK university honors degree. It is recognized by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) as Level 6.

By beginning the Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level course BCS assumes knowledge of the Certificate in IT and appropriate Diploma in IT level modules (or exemption) and focuses on the following:

Advanced Database Management Systems
Management Information Systems
Software Engineering 2
Computer Services Management
Distributed and Parallel Systems (April only)
Knowledge Based Systems (April only)
Network Information Systems (April only)
Programming Paradigms (April only)
Realizing the User Interface (April only)
System Design Methods (April only)
Web Engineering (April only)
User Interface Design (April only - Last ever exam April 2008)
World Wide Web - Beyond the Basics (April only - Last ever exam April 2008)

BCS recommends a minimum of 250 hours study per module and the course culminates in a 3 hour written exam focusing on four of the above modules of your choice. Please be aware that practical experience is required to answer some parts of the exam.

Completion of the Professional Graduate Diploma Examinations level means you are eligible to apply for BCS Membership if you have 2 years' experience as an IT professional.

Professional Project:

In order to finish the Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level candidates must complete a project, which will be the academic equivalent of a UK university honors degree project and has a recommended minimum study time of 300 hours.

Successful completion of the project and examination enables you to apply for selected postgraduate courses at university and means you are eligible to apply for BCS Professional Membership.

Entry Requirements:

Diploma (BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT), IMIS Diploma or any computing diploma from acceptable awarding body

English Requirement: If a Tier 4 (General) student will be studying a course that is below NQF Level 6 (except a Foundation Degree or an English language course), using a CAS issued on or after 12 August 2010, he/she must be competent in English language at a minimum of level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR):
The student must have passed an English language test with an approved test provider for Tier 4, and has achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Click here for a list of approved test providers.

Duration:1Year
Fees: Ł3750
Fees (Home): £2,500
Intake: January & June