Computing

Postgraduate Certificate in Computing
The Postgraduate Certificate in Computing is an intensive programme of study designed for graduates and professionals with appropriate industrial experience. It will develop your knowledge and skills in computing, support a professional approach to the application of those skills, and demonstrate your capability for advanced-level study. A wide choice of modules enables you to meet your immediate career needs or extend your understanding of this broad subject.

Key features of the course
• A valuable qualification recognised by industry and frequently attracting students sponsored by their employers.
• Designed to support your continuing professional development.
• Provides evidence of your ability to study at postgraduate level.

This certificate is the first stage of a study programme that progresses to a postgraduate diploma and finally a masters degree. You can step off at any point, or study the whole programme.

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits as follows:
30–60 credits from:
Module
• Data management (M816) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Information security (M811) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Project management (M815) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Software development (M813) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022

0–30 credits from:
Module
• Continuing professional development in practice (U810) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Digital forensics (M812) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Network security (T828) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Software engineering (M814) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Systems security (M817) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Technology innovation management (TB801) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848 T889, TU811 and TU812.

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 20 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

You will need a UK bachelors degree (or equivalent) in computing or a related discipline, or relevant industrial experience. If you do not hold a bachelors degree, irrespective of your industrial experience, you will need to study a module from the Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (K22) to demonstrate your ability to study successfully at postgraduate level. On successful completion, you can link your study to this qualification at a later date.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.

Our badged open course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, will introduce you to the nature of Master's level study. It offers essential preparation for pursuing your learning at this level – and is free.

1 - 2 years.

How long it takes
Most students complete this qualification over one year, which is the minimum time needed, completing 30 credits over two consecutive 6-month periods. The maximum time to complete is two years.

Career relevance
The modules in the postgraduate computing programme are for professional computer specialists, engineers, technical managers and scientists who need to update their skills and knowledge in specific areas, and gain recognised qualifications to develop their careers.

The modules have been developed to combine theoretical and practical aspects of computing, to enable you to become an effective professional in the computing industry. In addition, they encourage you, through the provision of appropriate educational activities, to develop study and transferable skills applicable to your employment and your continuing professional development.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.