Certificate in IT AND Diploma in IT

For all two levels there are no formal academic entry requirements. However, before beginning any level of Professional Examinations, BCS recommends that you are typically educated to UK GCE A-Level standard and are at least 19 years old.

You are able to begin the examinations at any of the two levels. However, the level at which you begin will only be awarded provided that you have passed or been exempt from the preceding level.

Examinations are held twice a year in October and April.

This is the foundation level of BCS Professional Examinations.

This level is the academic equivalent to Year 1 of a UK university honours degree and is recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) as Level 4.

The Certificate in IT focuses on the following core modules:

* Information Systems
* Software Development
* Computer & Network Technology

BCS recommends a minimum of 200 hours study per module and the course culminates in a 2 hour written exam focusing on all three core modules.

You can access details on ACCA qualification on www.accaglobal.com

Completion of the Certificate in IT level means you are eligible to apply for BCS Associate Membership (AMBCS).

This is the Diploma level of BCS Professional Examinations.

This level is the academic equivalent to Year 2 of a UK university honours degree and is recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) as Level 5.

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

* Professional Issues in Information Systems Practice (Core Module)
* Computer Networks
* Database Systems
* IT Project Management
* Object Oriented Programming
* Systems Analysis
* Principles of Internet Technologies (April only)
* IT Service Management (April only)
* Software Engineering 1 (April only)
* Systems Design (April only)
* Principles of User Interface Design (April only)

BCS recommends a minimum of 225 hours study per module. The course culminates in a 2 hour written exam focusing on the one core module and another 2 hour written exam allowing you to focus on three optional modules of your choice.

Completion of the Diploma Examinations level means you are eligible to apply for BCS Membership if you have 3 years' experience as an IT professional.

Professional Project

In order to finish the Diploma in IT level candidates must complete a project. Recommended minimum study time of 200 hours.

Successful completion of the project and examination enables you to apply for selected degree courses with universities and means you are eligible to apply for BCS Membership (MBCS) if you have 2 years' experience as an IT professional.