Certificates, Diplomas & Degrees in IT & ComputingFurther information about Open University courses can be obtained from Regional Centres. Any difficulties with the Certificate, Diplomas or Degrees in the IT and Computing subject area that cannot be resolved by your Regional Centre should be reported to Judith Williams. IntroductionThe Open University offers a wide range of courses designed to enable you to learn about many aspects of Information Technology and Computing. The purpose of this web site is to bring together information about the qualifications that are available in the Information Technology and Computing subject area. This includes:
Open University QualificationsIndividual courses are worth between 10 and 60 credit points at 3 different levels, equivalent to the three years of a full time Degree. Each point is equivalent to about 10 hours study. We strongly recommend that you follow the advice on Becoming a student which gives detailed information on all aspects of planning your study for an Open University qualification.Combinations of courses can lead to the following types of qualification:
Named Honours DegreesSee also the section on Un-named Degrees.If you would like an Honours Degree with a title that specifically highlights your study in the general area of Information Technology and Computing then you may wish to follow the profile of courses that qualifies you for one of the three named Honours Degrees in this subject area:
If you are a new student and would like some help in plotting a route through the Information Technology and Computing degree, Sections 3 and 4 of the above document 'The BSc (Hons) Information Technology and Computing degree (B13)' are designed to help you. If you are a new student and would like some help in plotting a route through the Information and Communication Technologies degree, the B38 degree pathways document is designed to help you. If you are considering studying for the Computing degree, whether you are a new or a continuing student, you will find the document Course choice: what to study from Oct. 2005 and beyond helpful. If you are not sure whether to study for the Information Technology and Computing degree (B13) or for the Information and Communication Technologies degree (B38) or for the Computing degree (B29) you should start your studies with courses T175 and M150 and decide whether you prefer to study
Foundation DegreesIf you would like to incorporate some work-based learning into your study, you may like to consider one of the new 240 credit point Foundation Degrees in the IT and Computing area:
There are pathways which will enable you to go on from these qualifications to full Honours Degrees if you so wish, but note that in the case of the Foundation Degree in Information and Communication Technologies you will need to choose your courses within that degree carefully if you wish to study no more than 120 credit points as you 'top up' to the Honours Degree in Information and Communication Technologies. DiplomasIf you already have experience and education in Information Technology and Computing and are looking for a qualification that provides continuing professional development then you may wish to study for a University Diploma of 120 credit points at undergraduate levels 2 and 3. Provided you choose your courses carefully, you can use the Diploma in Computing as a stepping stone to the Honours Degree in Information Technology and Computing or to the Honours Degree in Computing. You can use the Diploma in Information Technology as a stepping stone to the Honours Degree in Information Technology and Computing or the Honours Degree in Information and Communication Technologies. These Diplomas also contribute to some other Named Honours Degrees. Alternatively, you can count them towards any Un-named Degree. Remember, though, that, to qualify for a Degree, at least one third of your points for that degree must not have been already counted towards another qualification.CertificateIf you would like to obtain a formal qualification near the start of your degree studies you may wish to study for a Certificate in Information Technology and Computing (C47), for a Certificate in Computing and Mathematics (C50), or a Professional Certificate in ICT Practice (C89). These Certificates consist of 60 points at undergraduate level 1. C47 can be used as a stepping stone to either the Honours Degree in Information Technology and Computing or the Honours Degree in Information and Communication Technologies. You may also be able to use it as a stepping stone to the Honours Degree in Computing. C50 can be used as a stepping stone to either the Honours Degree in Information Technology and Computing or the Honours Degree in Computing. C89 can be used as a stepping stone to the Foundation Degree in Information and Communication Technologies. You can also count the certificates towards any Un-named Degree.
Un-named Degrees and other Named Honours DegreesSee also the section on B13 the Named Honours Degree in Information Technology and Computing, B38 the Named Honours Degree in Information and Communication Technologies and B29 the Named Honours Degree in Computing.To gain an Honours Degree you need to study courses amounting to 360 credit points, and to obtain an Ordinary Degree you need 300 credit points. The actual number of points you will need depends upon your previous educational background, the levels at which you take the courses and whether you are seeking professional recognition. Although you may take courses in any order, it is advisable to start at level 1, gradually working up to the more demanding level 2 and 3 courses. For professional recognition you may also need a 30-point project course. Many students who take Information Technology and Computing courses as part of their Degree are working towards one of the three Named Degrees mentioned at the start of this section. Others wish to combine study of IT or of Computing with study of another subject. The University offers some Named Degrees which allow you to do this, such as:
Other students simply wish to study a few courses in the IT and Computing area, while the main thrust of their degree programme is elsewhere. If you fall into this category, see if either of the following descriptions applies to you. Again, if in doubt then seek further advice from your Regional Centre. Appreciation of ITYou are interested in learning about the effects of information technology on society, together with acquiring some skills in communication and in using a computer, but you do not envisage taking more than a couple of courses of this type. Your main interest probably lies in a different area, but you feel the need to know something of the potential applications of new technology, and to be aware of recent developments. You do not wish to learn about programming computers, but you may wish to know how to use them more effectively.If this is the case the IT and Computing courses you will probably want to take are T175 Networked living: exploring information and communication technologies, and T209 Information and communication technologies: people and interactions. Appreciation of ComputingYou are interested in learning something about how software is developed and in acquiring some programming skills, but you do not envisage taking more than a couple of courses of this type. Your main interest probably lies in a different area.If this is the case the IT and Computing courses you will probably want to take are M150 Data, computing and information, and MT262 Putting computer systems to work. Short coursesThe University now offers a variety of short courses in the subject area of IT and Computing. Most of them are offered twice a year, in May and October/November. You can count any of these courses towards your degree.
The six 10-point courses with a 'TT' code form a 60-point Certificate in Web Applications Development. Postgraduate StudyThe University also offers courses at postgraduate level with a Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry and a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Information Systems. The appropriate brochure can be obtained from your nearest Regional Centre.Professional RecognitionIf you wish your Open University studies to be recognised by the British Computer Society or one of the Professional Engineering Institutions, for example the Institution of Engineering and Technology, you should obtain the Professional Engineering Institutions leaflet and ensure that the courses you choose conform to the stated requirements. Various other recognition leaflets can be downloaded or you can obtain printed versions from:The Administrative Assistant (External Recognition) |