British Computer Society (BCS) Diploma in Information Technology

QCA validated & NQF rated at Level 5, this course acts as the first two years of the degree

Year 1

No previous knowledge of computing is necessary to join the first year of the degree programme, although most successful applicants tend to have at least basic IT skills. The principal aim of the first year syllabus is to provide a solid foundation in a wide range of IT skills on which students can build on the second and third years of the degree.

A considerable proportion of the curriculum is devoted to the practical aspects of IT and consequently students spend a considerable amount of time using the excellent facilities offered by the College's comprehensively equipped computer labs. Students follow syllabi and sit examinations set and marked by both West London College and the British Computer Society and are awarded a West London College Certificate in Information Technology at the end of the year.

Year 2

The second year of the programme follows the syllabus of the British Computer Society's Diploma in IT and is the logical entry point for those who have already achieved a recognised qualification in IT, such as the Diploma of IMIS, ACP, ABE or NCC.

The BCS Diploma is best known of all the British professional qualifications in IT and is highly valued by employers as a qualification in its own right. In achieving this Diploma, students on the degree programme are able to offer prospective employers a very marketable combination of a top class professional qualification in IT with an honours degree in Computing, something that those on conventional university degree programmes are unable to match.

The BCS Diploma also satisfies the academic requirement for Membership of the British Computer Society and so entitles the holder, on completion of two years relevant work experience, to use the prestigious letters MBCS after his/her name. Most senior IT personnel in the UK have these letters after their name, including, it should be mentioned, both the Head and the Deputy Head of WLC's Department of Computing!