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Postgraduate Diploma in Computing

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.

Diploma

Course code: E81
Credits: 120
How long it takes: 2–4 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Find out more in Why the OU?
Course cost: See Fees and funding
Entry requirements: Find out more about entry requirements.

Course details Entry requirements Careers

Course details

Modules

There are three pathways available for this diploma:

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)

We advise you to begin with modules from the first list before moving on to the second.

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing

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

60 credits from List A:

List A: optional modules	Credits	Next start
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019
Digital forensics (M812) This module will help you understand how to conduct investigations to correctly gather, analyse and present digital evidence to both business and legal audiences. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation's information security. See full description Register	30	02 Nov 2019
Project management (M815) In this online module you’ll explore the whole life cycle of projects, from initiation, through to planning, scheduling, execution, handover and review. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019 FINAL

Plus

A further 60 credits from the List A, or from List B:

List B: optional modules	Credits	Next start
Advanced routing CCNP 1 (T824) This module provides the knowledge, understanding and skills to deploy and manage internal and external routing protocols for large scale inter-networks using Cisco equipment. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019 FINAL
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) This module allows you to evaluate and assess 150 hours prior learning and identify and progress appropriate development opportunities for future continuing professional development. See full description Register	30	04 May 2019
Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction (TU812) Develop your understanding of systemic inquiry, systemic action research and social learning in order to extend your skills of project, programme and change management. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019 FINAL
Managing technological innovation (T848) This module explores the processes that underpin technological innovation an understanding of which is crucial whether you are a user or producer of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Network security (T828) This module will give you the knowledge, understanding and practical experience of managing a secure communication across a large-scale inter-network using Cisco equipment. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Thinking strategically: systems tools for managing change (TU811) Improve your management skills by exploring different approaches to engaging with complex situations and by developing your understanding of how cognitive processing shapes practice. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019 FINAL

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T846 or T889

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)

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

60 credits of compulsory modules (starting with M813):

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019 FINAL

Plus

60 credits from List B:

List B: optional modules	Credits	Next start
Advanced routing CCNP 1 (T824) This module provides the knowledge, understanding and skills to deploy and manage internal and external routing protocols for large scale inter-networks using Cisco equipment. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019 FINAL
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) This module allows you to evaluate and assess 150 hours prior learning and identify and progress appropriate development opportunities for future continuing professional development. See full description Register	30	04 May 2019
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019
Digital forensics (M812) This module will help you understand how to conduct investigations to correctly gather, analyse and present digital evidence to both business and legal audiences. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation's information security. See full description Register	30	02 Nov 2019
Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction (TU812) Develop your understanding of systemic inquiry, systemic action research and social learning in order to extend your skills of project, programme and change management. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019 FINAL
Managing technological innovation (T848) This module explores the processes that underpin technological innovation an understanding of which is crucial whether you are a user or producer of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Network security (T828) This module will give you the knowledge, understanding and practical experience of managing a secure communication across a large-scale inter-network using Cisco equipment. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019
Project management (M815) In this online module you’ll explore the whole life cycle of projects, from initiation, through to planning, scheduling, execution, handover and review. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Thinking strategically: systems tools for managing change (TU811) Improve your management skills by exploring different approaches to engaging with complex situations and by developing your understanding of how cognitive processing shapes practice. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019 FINAL

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T846 or T889

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)

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

60 credits of compulsory modules (starting with M811):

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Digital forensics (M812) This module will help you understand how to conduct investigations to correctly gather, analyse and present digital evidence to both business and legal audiences. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation's information security. See full description Register	30	02 Nov 2019

Plus

60 credits from List B:

List B: optional modules	Credits	Next start
Advanced routing CCNP 1 (T824) This module provides the knowledge, understanding and skills to deploy and manage internal and external routing protocols for large scale inter-networks using Cisco equipment. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019 FINAL
Continuing professional development in practice (U810) This module allows you to evaluate and assess 150 hours prior learning and identify and progress appropriate development opportunities for future continuing professional development. See full description Register	30	04 May 2019
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019
Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction (TU812) Develop your understanding of systemic inquiry, systemic action research and social learning in order to extend your skills of project, programme and change management. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019 FINAL
Managing technological innovation (T848) This module explores the processes that underpin technological innovation an understanding of which is crucial whether you are a user or producer of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Network security (T828) This module will give you the knowledge, understanding and practical experience of managing a secure communication across a large-scale inter-network using Cisco equipment. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019
Project management (M815) In this online module you’ll explore the whole life cycle of projects, from initiation, through to planning, scheduling, execution, handover and review. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019 FINAL
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Thinking strategically: systems tools for managing change (TU811) Improve your management skills by exploring different approaches to engaging with complex situations and by developing your understanding of how cognitive processing shapes practice. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019 FINAL

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T846 or T889

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 40 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 8th June 2018.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

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.

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).

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Postgraduate Diploma in 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.

How long it takes

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.

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.

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing

Diploma

Course details

Modules

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing

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

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)

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

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)

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

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

The Open University

OU Community

OU Students Community

Support

Study

Policy

Course details

Modules

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing

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

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)

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

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)

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

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

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