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Course type: Certificate

Certificate

Widely recognised qualification.

Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.

Study for interest or career development.

Shows that you can study successfully at university level.

Count it towards further qualifications such as a foundation degree, DipHE or honours degree.
Credits: 120

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

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Certificate of Higher Education in Computing and Engineering

: Course code: T47

This course develops your skills in and understanding of computing and engineering. These are two areas that underpin most aspects of the way we live. Gain a foundation in the basic principles of hardware-based, software-based, or systems-based technologies. Computing skills with basic knowledge of engineering can lead to an array of career opportunities. Apply your knowledge and skills in a broad range of industries and organisations. It also incorporates transferable skills applicable to professional development in the field.

Key features

An ideal starting point for a career in information technology, computing, communication technology or engineering
Introduces the fast-changing world of computing and engineering, and develops your mathematics skills
Sample tasters in computing and engineering
Builds a solid foundation for further study

This Certificate of Higher Education is the same as Stage 1 of our BSc (Honours) Computing with Electronic Engineering (R62) and Diploma of Higher Education in Computing with Electronic Engineering (W92).

Course type

Certificate

Credits

120

How long it takes

Part-time study – 2 years

Full-time study – N/A

Time limit – 7 years

Study method

Distance learning

Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

Ask a question

Course details

This computing and engineering certificate has one stage, comprising 120 credits.

You’ll study two 30-credit computing modules and two 30-credit engineering modules.

You’ll study two 30-credit computing modules and two 30-credit engineering modules.

Computing

Computing
Modules	Credits
You'll study both of the following:
Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111)	30
Introduction to computing and information technology 2 (TM112)	30

Engineering

Engineering
Modules	Credits
You'll study both of the following:
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)	30
Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications (T194)	30

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 18 March 2025.

Accessibility

Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our Certificate of Higher Education in Computing and Engineering 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
Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
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
Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
Finding external/third-party material online
Accessing online catalogues and databases
Specialist software
Mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
Online tutorials
Group-work
Practical work
Residential school

Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these on individual module descriptions.

Visit our Disability support page to learn about our services.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

Knowledge and understanding.
Cognitive skills.
Practical and professional skills.
Key skills.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

If you’ve already completed some university-level study somewhere else, you may be able to count it towards this qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.

It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.

You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Certificate of Higher Education in Computing and Engineering.

International recognition

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.

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.

Certificate of Higher Education in Computing and Engineering

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements to study computing and engineering.

At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need:

some basic knowledge of computing
some knowledge of mathematics
the ability to read and write to a good standard of English.

Mathematics is a crucial part of both computing and engineering. The level of mathematics you’ll need for this degree is higher than for the single-subject BSc (Honours) Computing and IT (Q62) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Q65). If you don’t have GCSE Maths at Grade C (4) or above (or equivalent), you might need to spend extra time practising and developing basic maths skills. Consider this when deciding which degree is right for you and your available time.

Check you have the necessary skills with our self-assessed engineering quizzes

How much time do I need?

Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner

Preparing for study with an Access module

Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.

You’ll also benefit from:

feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
support from a dedicated team throughout your study
detailed written feedback on your work.

The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:

Science, technology and maths Access module

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the sciences, technology and mathematics. It’ll help develop your study skills in advance of your OU qualification, and you get to explore a number of STEM subjects including science, engineering and design, environment, mathematics, and computing and IT.

View full details of Science, technology and maths Access module

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Fees and funding

How you'll study

How will I study this course?

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.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

Tutor support

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
guide you to learning resources
support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

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 at an alternative location.
If a module has an in-person exam (that you must take at one of our exam centres) or is invigilated online, we’ll make this clear in the module description.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.
Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
free Microsoft Office 365 software
IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Careers

Skills for career development

This certificate is useful if you already work or would like to work with computing and IT systems. Equipping you with a foundation in the basic principles of hardware-, software-, and systems-based technologies. And preparing you for employment in software engineering, communications, networks, web technologies, or engineering related roles. You’ll develop important transferable skills such as time management, numeracy, and problem solving.

Career relevance

The digital sector must meet the demand for skills in IT and telecommunications. This certificate is a starting point for a career in an extensive range of organisations and sectors. They include:

broadcast media
digital media
financial services
healthcare

leisure and gaming
manufacturing
retail
telecommunications

the public sector
transport
tourism.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):

app developer
automation engineer
control and instrumentation engineer
cyber security manager

data analyst
electronic engineer
manufacturing engineer
network administrator

network architect
security analyst
software engineer
web developer.

Register for this course

Start dates

Oct 2025 - Registration closes 11/09/2025
Apr 2026 - Registration closes 12/03/2026

Credit transfer: apply by 14/08/2025

Credit transfer: apply by 12/02/2026

Request your Computing and IT or Engineering, Design and Technology prospectus

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