BRITISH COMPUTER SOCIETY COURSE
Chartered IT Professional
Certificate (BCS Level 4 Certificate in IT):
All THREE Modules to be selected – 200hours per module recommended study
- Computer & Network Technology,
- Information Systems
- Software Development
Diploma (BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT):
THREE Modules to be selected – 225hours per module recommended study
- Computer Networks
- Database Systems
- IT Project Management
- IT Service management
- Software Engineering
- Systems Design
Recommended Project work
Professional Graduate Diploma
(BCS Level 6 Professional Graduate Diploma in IT):
FOUR Modules to be selected – 225hours per module recommended study
- Advanced Database Management Systems
- Computer Services Management
- Management Information Systems
- Network Information Systems
- Software Engineering 2
Recommended Project work
BCS COURSE OUTLINE
Certificate --------------------------- Equivalent to 1st Year UK Degree
Diploma -------------------------------- Equivalent to 2nd Year UK Degree
Professional Graduate Diploma------- Equivalent to UK 1st Degree
Internationally Recognized Qualifications (BCS)
BCS is the only Chartered Engineering Institution for IT professionals which can award an internationally recognized professional qualification, Charted IT professional (CITP).
The Three Levels of Qualification
(Certificate in IT, Diploma in IT and Professional Graduate Diploma in IT) remain relevant to the needs of the evolving IT community. The modular course structure offers a flexible approach to study that allows you to progress at your own pace. Yet the qualifications remain rigorous and challenging to meet the demands of employers and academics alike. With over 100 course providers globally, these qualifications have earned an international reputation as the “gold standard” set of IT qualifications. Passing the Professional Graduate Diploma in IT (incorporating PGD project) not only provides successful candidates with the opportunity for postgraduate study but also with the eligibility to apply for BCS Professional membership, allowing you to use the letters MBCS after your name. (Alan Pollard FBCS CITP) BCS President.
For all three levels there are no formal academic entry requirements. However, before beginning any level, BCS recommends that you are educated to UK GCE A-Level standard. You can start at any of the three levels. However, the level at which you begin will only be awarded provided that you have passed or been exempt from the previous level(s).
The Certificate in IT is the academic equivalent to year one of a UK university honours degree and is recognised by Ofqual - Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator as Level 4.
BCS recommends a minimum of 200 hours study per module and the course culminates in a two
hour written examination on each of the three core modules. Completion of the Certificate in IT level means you are eligible to apply for BCS Associate membership (AMBCS).
The Diploma in IT level qualification (incorporating Diploma project) is the academic equivalent to year two of a UK university honours degree and is recognised by Ofqual – Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator as Level 5. BCS recommends a minimum of 225 hours study per module. The course culminates in a two hour written examination on the one core module and each of the three optional modules of your choice. Completion of the Diploma examination level means you are eligible to apply for BCS Membership (MBCS) if you have three years’ experience as an IT professional.
Professional Project: In order to finish the Diploma in IT level candidates must complete a project with a recommended minimum study time of 200 hours. The submission of a project proposal is now mandatory. Proposals must be submitted by the closing date specified. Please note: If advancing to the Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level, you are not required to complete a Professional Project at this level.
The Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level qualification (incorporating PGD project) is the academic equivalent to a UK university honours degree and is recognized by Ofqual – Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator as Level 6. BCS recommends a minimum of 250 hours study per module. The course culminates in a three hour written examination on each of the four modules of your choice.
Please note that practical experience is required to answer some parts of the examination. Completion of the professional project is also required at this level. Completion of the Professional Graduate Diploma examination level means you are eligible to apply for MBCS if you have two years’ experience as an IT professional.
Professional Project: In order to finish the Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level candidates must complete a project. Recommended minimum study time of 300 hours. The submission of a project proposal is now mandatory. Proposals must be submitted by the closing date specified.
Flexible delivery – with over 100 course providers worldwide as well as offering a self study option, allowing your study to fit in with your routine Affordable – our qualification fees are Competitive worldwide Taking BCS Higher Education Qualifications helps you develop your career in IT.
Relevance to National Requirement:
Growing demand for IT skills in the developing world and innovations such as affordable laptop technology have prompted The British Computer Society (BCS) to extend its professional examinations to the African countries including Ghana.
Sharon Hurd, Business Manager for BCS Professional Examinations, says: "The hunger for IT skills in Africa is growing significantly, especially in Ghana where broadband technology is established. As in many overseas countries, BCS qualifications are very highly regarded and we are pleased to further support digital literacy and IT skills on this continent." – http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=conWebDoc.19733 (June 16, 2008)
The programmes have been developed in consultation with relevant employers to meet the manpower demands and evolving needs of the IT community. They are constantly updated to acknowledge both practical and academic experience bearing in mind the proficiency and skills thus enabling the student to apply this acquired knowledge at the workplace. The shortage of middle level manpower in Information Communication Technology (ICT) activities have been identified in both the private and the public sectors. The need for well-qualified and skilled manpower in these areas can therefore not be over emphasized.
The demand for skilled ICT support professionals has grown significantly in Ghana and globally. The relevance of the program is to prepare students adequately to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to enable them to support development in Ghana and elsewhere.
Parent
These qualifications are also recognised by the British Council and by many UK universities as
a route to postgraduate study. The HEQ has been developed in consultation with large companies in the IT sector such as, the Ministry of Defence, Royal Mail, Vodafone, Halifax, Royal Sun Alliance and Barclays. BCS offers students a competitively priced qualification, providing the flexibility needed for their busy schedules.
Employers
The three levels of BCS Higher Education Qualifications and associated projects have been developed in consultation with an employers’ panel to ensure they meet the demands and evolving needs of the IT community. Industry representatives from organisations such as, Royal Mail, Vodafone, Halifax, Royal Sun Alliance and Barclays are among those represented. These qualifications are a guarantee of excellence for employers. They can be confident that employees know not only what they are doing but how and why. The syllabi closely reflect the requirements of typical IT occupations and puts greater emphasis on business and management issues.
Careers
As the Chartered Institute for IT, the requirement for professional competence and appropriate standards
is at the heart of what BCS is about. The IT industry has a unique skills framework, called the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). It describes the typical roles in IT and the skills needed to fulfil them. From information security to service level management, you can discover what each role entails.
Route to study at UK Universities
Examinations are examined to the academic level of a UK university honours degree. Passing the
Professional Graduate Diploma in IT (incorporating PGD project) provides successful candidates
with the opportunity for postgraduate study in an IT related subject at UK universities.
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