This flexible diploma enables computing practitioners to pursue their career goals by gaining advanced knowledge, skills and techniques; and to develop a professional approach to the study and application of computing. A wide choice of modules means you can tailor your qualification to the varied requirements of industry and your own career needs, with the option to focus on software engineering or information security and forensics in more depth.
Key features of the course
• A choice of study routes and specialisms to fit with your professional needs and interests
• Encourages you to draw on your own background and experience
• Develops transferable skills applicable to your employment and continuing professional development
• The chance to top up to the MSc in Computing in just one more year.
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules, you will be awarded one of the following:
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering).
You will be entitled to use the letters PG Dip Comp (Open) after your name. The qualification will be classified as pass or distinction.
You may continue your studies and add a further 60 credits to your diploma to gain an MSc in Computing (F66), MSc in Computing (Information Security and Forensics) or MSc in Computing (Software Engineering).
Recognition in your country
If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in my country.
Credit transfer
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.
Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.
Computing
Entry requirements
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.
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.
Duration
2 - 4 years.
Most students study this qualification over two years, which is the minimum time needed, completing 60 credits each year. The maximum time to complete is four years.
Number of credits
120 credits
Careers or further progression
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.
Further enquiries
Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk
Subjects taught
Modules
You'll choose one of three pathways:
•Postgraduate Diploma in Computing
•Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)
•Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing
To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60–120 credits from:
Module Credits
Data management (M816) 30
Digital forensics (M812) 30
Information security (M811) 30
Project management (M815) 30
Software development (M813) 30
Software engineering (M814) 30
0–60 credits from:
Module Credits
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) 30 Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)30 Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) 30
Managing technological innovation (T848) 30
Network security (T828) 30
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T889, TU811 and TU812.
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)
To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (60 credits)
60 credits from:
Modules Credits
Information security (M811) 30
Digital forensics (M812) 30
60 credits from:
Modules Credits
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) 30
Data management (M816) 30
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) 30 Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) 30 Managing technological innovation (T848) 30
Network security (T828) 30
Project management (M815) 30
Software development (M813) 30
Software engineering (M814) 30
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T889, TU811 and TU812.
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)
To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60 credits from:
Modules Credits
Software development (M813) 30
Software engineering (M814) 30
60 credits from:
Module Credits
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) 30
Data management (M816) 30
Digital forensics (M812) 30
Information security (M811) 30
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) 30 Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) 30 Managing technological innovation (T848) 30
Network security (T828) 30
Project management (M815) 30
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, 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 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Note, in particular, you can count the credit from the following modules towards only a single qualification: Research project (T802); The MSc professional project (T847).
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time.