Postgraduate Diploma in Computing

The qualification provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this diploma you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• A wide range of computing tools, techniques, development practices, and systems and their application to business, societal and personal requirements
• The application of a combination of computing theory and practice, with the ability to use theoretical considerations and practical constraints to guide the application
• Computer systems, their development, specification and use, allowing their evaluation against a range of criteria
• Computing and related standards, codes of practice, quality and evaluation frameworks and their application.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this diploma you will be able to:

• Integrate knowledge and skills from various sources into a coherent whole, making appropriate abstractions
• Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, using appropriate tools and techniques, notations and formalisms.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this diploma you will be able to:

• Recognise and respond to opportunities for innovation in computing
• Recognise social, legal and ethical responsibilities and their appropriate application
• Critically evaluate developments in computing including the identification of limitations and risks, legal issues, cultural and ethical impact and societal and business needs
• Identify needs, articulate goals, locate and employ resources and to follow action plans in support of independent learning and professional development.

Key skills

On completion of this diploma you will be able to:

• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, using appropriate channels and media and where appropriate incorporating research and practice from the forefront of the computing discipline and professional practice
• Make and articulate decisions, including collating appropriate evidence and opinions, even in the presence of incomplete information
• Independently apply problem solving principles; using appropriate underpinning knowledge and skills
• Review, evaluate, reflect on and critique your own work and the work of others, engaging in peer review processes that lead to innovation and improvement.

You’ll choose one of four routes:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (broad route)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Networking)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (broad route)

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

60–120 credits from:

• Data management (M816)
• Digital forensics (M812)
• Information security (M811)
• Project management (M815)
• Software development (M813)
• Software engineering (M814)

0–60 credits from:

• Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
• Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
• Network security (T828)
• Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)
• Systems security (M817)
• Technology innovation management (TB801)

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

60 credits from:

• Information security (M811)
• Digital forensics (M812)

60 credits from:

• Data management (M816)
• Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
• Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
• Network security (T828)
• Project management (M815)
• Software development (M813)
• Software engineering (M814)
• Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)
• Systems security (M817)
• Technology innovation management (TB801)

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Networking)

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

90 credits from:

• Advanced networking (CCNP Enterprise) (T829)
• Network security (T828)

30 credits from:

• Data management (M816)
• Digital forensics (M812)
• Information security (M811)
• Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
• Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
• Project management (M815)
• Software development (M813)
• Software engineering (M814)
• Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)
• Systems security (M817)
• Technology innovation management (TB801)

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

Stage 1 (120 credits)

60 credits from:

• Software development (M813)
• Software engineering (M814)

30 credits from:

• Data management (M816)
• Digital forensics (M812)
• Information security (M811)
• Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
• Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
• Network security (T828)
• Project management (M815)
• Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)
• Systems security (M817)
• Technology innovation management (TB801)

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.