Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and IT Practice
Online, United Kingdom
Diploma
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 14,544 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Key Summary
About: The Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and IT Practice gives a foundation in computing and IT with employer-linked work-based learning. It builds on existing skills and covers hardware, software, teamwork, assessments and feedback. Progress to the Top-up BSc (Hons). It takes 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time, 12-year time limit.
Career Outcomes: You’ll gain transferable skills in communication, IT use, numeracy, organisation, time management, analysis and problem solving. This prepares you for career opportunities such as IT support, systems administration, software or web development, data analysis, cloud roles and cyber security, and for further study and continued learning.
This Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and IT Practice is about acquiring skills and learning to use them at work. If you want to gain confidence using and managing IT, grasp new opportunities or develop software solutions, there’s a route for you. This qualification provides a broad-based foundation in computing and IT. It includes a work-based element and builds on your existing skills. The modern world depends on computers and IT systems to function. Gain the skills to work with computing and IT systems and you’ll open up a huge variety of careers and other opportunities.
Key features
- Includes work-based learning and is developed in partnership with employers
- Develop the computing and IT skills you already have
- Choose options that meet your particular needs and interests
- Build a solid foundation for further study – e.g. our Top-up BSc (Hons) Computing and IT Practice (Q68)
Accessibility
Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our Diploma of Higher Education in Childhood and Youth Studies uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:
- Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
- Online tutorials
- Group-work
- Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- Practical work
- Finding external/third-party material online
- Accessing online catalogues and databases
- Assessment in the form of short-answer questions, essays, and examinations
- Feedback – continuous assessment includes feedback from your tutor and using this to improve your performance
- Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
How long it takes
- Part-time study – 4 years
- Full-time study – 2 years
- Time limit – 12 years
This diploma of higher education has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- In Stage 1, you’ll study three 30-credit modules and choose one 30-credit module.
- In Stage 2, you’ll study three 30-credit modules from a choice of focus areas and choose a 30-credit module.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
You'll study all three of the following:
- Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111)
- Introduction to computing and information technology 2 (TM112)
- Career development and employability (T122)
You'll choose one from:
- Discovering Mathematics (MU123)
- Essential Mathematics 1 (MST124)
- Technologies in practice (TM129)
Stage 2 (120 credits)
Communications and networking focus
You’ll study all three of the following:
- Change, strategy and projects at work (T227)
- Cisco networking (CCNA) part 1 (TM257)
- Communication and information technologies (TM255)
You’ll choose one from:
- Algorithms, data structures and computability (M269)
- Managing IT: the why, the what and the how (TM254)
- Object-oriented Java programming (M250)
- Web technologies (TM252)
Computer science focus
You’ll study all three of the following:
- Algorithms, data structures and computability (M269)
- Change, strategy and projects at work (T227)
- Object-oriented Java programming (M250)
You’ll choose one from:
- Cisco networking (CCNA) part 1 (TM257)
- Communication and information technologies (TM255)
- Managing IT: the why, the what and the how (TM254)
- Web technologies (TM252)
Software development focus
You’ll study all three of the following:
- Change, strategy and projects at work (T227)
- Managing IT: the why, the what and the how (TM254)
- Object-oriented Java programming (M250)
You’ll choose one from:
- Algorithms, data structures and computability (M269)
- Cisco networking (CCNA) part 1 (TM257)
- Communication and information technologies (TM255)
- Web technologies (TM252)
Web development focus
You'll study all three of the following:
- Change, strategy and projects at work (T227)
- Object-oriented Java programming (M250)
- Web technologies (TM252)
You'll choose one from:
- Algorithms, data structures and computability (M269)
- Cisco networking (CCNA) part 1 (TM257)
- Communication and information technologies (TM255)
- Managing IT: the why, the what and the how (TM254)
Assessment
Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.
Computer-Marked Assignments
- Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
- They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
- Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.
End-of-Module Assessments
- The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
- Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.
Exams
- Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
- You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
- Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
- If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this diploma you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant principles and concepts underlying computing and IT
- Apply common techniques correctly for the design and development of computing and IT systems
- Demonstrate awareness of the range of situations in which computing and IT systems are used in the workplace and the ways in which people interact with them
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the ethical, social and legal issues that can be associated with the deployment of computing and IT systems in the workplace
- Understand the principles and benefits of personal career development planning.
Cognitive skills
On completion of this diploma you will be able to:
- Apply correctly key computing and IT concepts in a range of contexts, including your workplace
- Apply appropriate techniques and tools for abstracting, modelling, problem-solving, designing and testing computing and IT systems in your workplace
- Compare and contrast, specifications and implementations of software systems and/or simple hardware systems in your workplace
- Reflect on what you achieve in your studies and your work, and how you might improve your performance.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this diploma you will be able to:
- Analyse, design, evaluate and/or test information technologies in your workplace
- Engage effectively in planning your personal career development
- Plan, monitor and review your progress as an independent learner
- Identify and explain the ethical, social and legal issues that may arise during the development and use of computing and IT systems in your workplace
- Use ICT tools and numerical skills, as appropriate, to help you work effectively.
Key skills
On completion of this diploma you will be able to:
- Communicate information, arguments and ideas effectively, using the styles and language appropriate to your subject, purpose and audience
- Work in a group, communicating effectively in a distance setting where the communication is computer-mediated
- Work independently, planning, monitoring, and reviewing your own learning
- Find, assess and use information from a variety of sources, using information technology where necessary
- Use appropriate numerical and analytical techniques to solve problems
- Understand a range of technological problems and apply suitable techniques for solving them.
Skills for career development
If you work or would like to work, with computing and IT systems in hardware, software, or systems-based contexts, this course is for you. You will learn the principles of these technologies, how to apply them, and surrounding issues to be aware of. During this course, you will gain valuable experience working in a team to tackle a small development task.
You will gain valuable transferable skills in communication, the use of IT facilities, retrieval of information, numeracy, time management and organisation, and analysing and solving problems. You will also be well prepared for further study should you decide to top up to an honours degree.
Career relevance
Finance, government, business, commerce, public services such as health and education, and the voluntary sector are all critically dependent on computing and IT systems. This diploma course is an ideal starting point for a career in any of these sectors, focusing on information technology, computing, communication technology and related fields, or to enhance your existing career.
Computing and IT is a rapidly growing sector of employment, and the UK is recognised as a world leader in producing talented graduates. You could develop your skills and knowledge in the key employment areas in need of skilled candidates. Employers highly regard Open University computing and IT graduates for their ambition, time management and organisational skills.
Growth areas and areas of high demand include cyber security, mobile development, cloud computing and the management of Big Data.
Other careers
A qualification in computing and IT has many applications beyond pure technology roles, such as roles in corporate or management consultancy firms, technical writing or freelance work.
With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.
You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.
For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.
Each module you study will have a module website with
- A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
- Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
- Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
- Details of each assignment and their due dates
- A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
- Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.