Your route to becoming a Chartered IT Professional

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1 Introduction Regulations 1 Structure of the qualifications, pathway to membership and further study 1.1 Certificate in IT 1.2 Diploma in IT Diploma Examination 1.3 Professional Graduate Diploma in IT Professional Graduate Diploma Examination 1.4 Professional Project The project proposal Size of project Authentication & submission Structure of project Role of candidate 5 Pass Marks 6 Award of Certificates 7 Fees 8 Mitigating Circumstances 9 Appeals 10 Unfair practice or breach of regulations 10.1 Unfair practice in a written examination 10.2 Unfair practice in project/dissertation (plagiarism) 11 Use of Calculators 2 Eligibility 3 Entry for a module, project or dissertation 3.1 Entry for a module or Professional Project 4 Method of Completion 4.1 Sequence of modules and projects 4.2 Number of attempts 4.3 Oral examination 1 Updated 17th March 2014

2 Regulations 1 Structure of the qualifications, pathway to membership and further study The qualifications have a modular structure with three levels. There is one examination paper per module: Certificate in IT: Three compulsory modules, each paper of two hours duration. Diploma Examination: One compulsory core module and three modules chosen from a list of options, each paper of two hours duration. Diploma Project: The Diploma Project is normally only undertaken by candidates who wish to finish their studies at Diploma level. Diploma in IT: One compulsory core module and three modules chosen from a list of options, each paper of two hours duration and the Diploma Project. Professional Graduate Diploma Examination: Four modules chosen from a list of options, each paper of three hours duration. Professional Graduate Diploma Project: The Professional Graduate Diploma Project will need to be taken in order to achieve the maximum academic points towards membership and if the candidate plans to undertake a further course of related study at university. Professional Graduate Diploma in IT: Four modules chosen from a list of options, each paper of three hours duration and the Professional Graduate Diploma Project. 1.1 Certificate in IT The qualification will consist of a two hour written paper on each of the three compulsory modules: Information Systems Software Development Computer and Network Technology 1.2 Diploma in IT The qualification will consist of a two hour written paper on the compulsory core module, Professional Issues in Information Systems Practice, and a two hour written paper on each of the three modules chosen from the list of specialist options (the list of options is given in the syllabus and is kept under review by BCS) and the Diploma Project Diploma Examination The qualification will consist of a two hour written paper on the compulsory core module, Professional Issues in Information Systems Practice, and a two hour written paper on each of the three modules chosen from the list of specialist options. The list of options is given in the syllabus and is kept under review by BCS. 1.3 Professional Graduate Diploma in IT The qualification will consist of a three hour written paper on each of the four modules chosen from the list of specialist options (the list of options is given in the syllabus and is kept under review by BCS) and the Professional Graduate Diploma Project Professional Graduate Diploma Examination The qualification will consist of a three hour written paper on each of four modules chosen from a list of specialist options. The list of options is given in the syllabus and is kept under review by BCS. 1.4 Professional Project The Professional Project may be undertaken at Diploma in IT level or at Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level, depending on the qualification aim of the candidate. Any candidate who has passed the Professional Project at Diploma in IT level cannot 2 Updated 17th March 2014

3 resubmit the same project at Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level. Exceptionally, a candidate who submits a project at Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level may be offered a pass at Diploma in IT level. If the candidate accepts the pass at Diploma in IT level it will not then be possible to resubmit the project at Professional Graduate Diploma in IT level The project proposal Before submitting the Professional Project, candidates are required to forward a proposal of the intended project submission to BCS for approval. The proposal should be approximately 500 words in length, giving a brief summary of the intended Professional Project. Candidates should refer to below, Structure of Project. Candidates should also provide details of their intended project authenticator, with their BCS membership number or CV as appropriate (see 1.4.3) Size of project Professional Project (Diploma in IT Level) Candidates will submit a report on the practical implementation of a computer-based project (as defined below). The Professional Project should involve the development of a computer-based solution to a practical problem. This will normally, but not necessarily, involve the candidate in the production of software The Professional Project may be part of a group project but each candidate must individually satisfy all the requirements and the report must clearly identify the candidate s individual contribution The size of the report should be approximately 5,000 words excluding appendices Professional Project (Professional Graduate Diploma in IT Level) Candidates will submit a report on the practical implementation of a computer-based project (as defined below). The Professional Project should involve the development of a computer-based solution to a practical problem. The report must put the problem in context, include a survey of relevant literature, and provide a list of references The Professional Project should be an individual piece of work undertaken by the candidate alone. Group projects are not allowed The size of the report should be approximately 10,000 words excluding appendices Authentication & submission The Professional Project must be authenticated using the forms provided, either by a BCS Professional member (i.e. MBCS/FBCS) or an IT Professional (e.g. manager, supervisor or tutor) with a minimum of five years experience. Non BCS members must submit a detailed CV to BCS indicating the candidate(s) for whom they are acting as authenticator. The report should be submitted in a folder (or binder) identified by the name and reference number of the candidate and clearly stating the level of the project (either Diploma in IT or Professional Graduate Diploma in IT). Both a hard copy AND soft copy of the project must be submitted. The soft copy must be submitted on disk in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, rich text format, PDF, postscript, plain text or HTML format. BCS reserves the right to scan the project work through antiplagiarism software Structure of project The Professional Project report should convey to the examiners the nature of both the product itself and the process by which the product was produced. 3 Updated 17th March 2014

4 The report must contain: Abstract a brief summary of the project, describing its nature and scope Requirements analysis and specification how the specification was created, communication with the users/owners, relevant constraints, rationale for choices made, the specification itself and the initial work schedule Design how the product was designed, including design method, design process and outcome. This should include the rationale for design decisions and trade-offs made, such as selection of algorithms, data structures and implementation environments as appropriate Implementation how the product was constructed, including choice of packages, tools, development environments and language. The recognition of the importance of relevant documentation Testing how the product was debugged, tested and evaluated, as appropriate, to demonstrate that the specification has been satisfied Critical appraisal a review of the project looking back at both the product and the process. This should include an analysis of the major design, implementation and testing decisions, lessons learnt by the candidate during the course of the project, and an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the product and the process. The above list does not imply that a particular method or approach has to be adopted. Any professional approach is acceptable but the report must address the above Role of candidate It is not expected that all Professional Projects will involve candidates equally in the stages of specification, design, implementation and testing. It is recognised that a candidate might not have been able to implement the end product personally. Nevertheless, the candidate must have played a significant role in the testing and implementation. The candidate is expected to have personal involvement in the demonstration of the product s fitness for purpose. It is a requirement for all Professional Projects that they contain aspects of implementation. For those centred on hardware development, systems analysis or programming, this requirement can be satisfied by a description of the implementation and testing phases. For those centred on management issues such as feasibility studies, procurement exercises or computer auditing, the requirement can be satisfied by the prior creation of a set of criteria for acceptance and a set of procedures and tests to determine whether the criteria have been satisfied. As long as the candidate participates in the creation of the criteria and the subsequent acceptance testing, such projects are, in general, acceptable. 2 Eligibility There are no formal academic entry requirements for any level of the qualifications. However, all candidates must be members of BCS and can join as Student members at the time of entry. Candidates who allow their BCS membership to lapse will be required to reinstate their membership. Candidates are strongly urged to read the accompanying Notes for Guidance and to take account of any prior knowledge expected in the syllabus. 3 Entry for a module, project or dissertation There is no requirement to register with the BCS prior to entry for an examination. All written examinations are currently offered once a year in the April sitting. The Certificate modules, most popular Diploma modules and most popular Professional Graduate Diploma modules are also offered in October. A timetable is published on the BCS Higher Education Qualifications website. 4 Updated 17th March 2014

5 3.1 Entry for a module or Professional Project Applicants wishing to enter for one or more modules in a particular sitting or wishing to submit a Professional Project in a particular year must comply with the following conditions: Applications for entry for a module or project submission must be submitted on the BCS Higher Education Qualifications entry form and be accompanied by the correct fees. Entry forms for written examinations and Professional Project reports must be submitted by the appropriate closing dates: Written examinations: 15 January (March/April sitting) 15 August (September/October sitting) Extended dates for re-sits will be sent out with results letters. Project proposals: 30 April (for September/October project assessment) 31 August (for March/April project assessment) Professional Project reports: 28 February (for March/April assessment) Mauritius candidates must submit to regional officer by 31 January 31 August (for September/October assessment) Mauritius candidates must submit to regional officer by 31 July Late or incomplete entries will not normally be accepted. In exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Head of Higher Education Qualifications, a fee may be charged for processing such entries. Once applications have been processed, fees will not be refunded. 4 Method of completion 4.1 Sequence of modules and projects Modules may be taken in any sequence but candidates are strongly urged to read the accompanying Notes for Guidance and take account of any prior knowledge expected in the syllabus. Notice should also be taken of the regulations for the award of certificates which are listed in Section 6. Professional Projects may be submitted before, during or after attempting the written examinations. 4.2 Number of attempts If unsuccessful, there is no limit to the number of attempts that may be made at written examinations or Professional Project submissions, however fees are payable for each attempt. There is however a time limit of 7 years. 4.3 Oral examination BCS reserves the right to require a candidate to undergo an oral examination following the sitting of an examination or the submission of a Professional Project or dissertation. 5 Pass marks The pass mark for all modules is 40%. The pass grades for the project (at both levels) are pass, credit or distinction; at the Professional Graduate Diploma by dissertation, a pass only. 6 Award of certificates The Certificate in IT, Diploma in IT and Professional Graduate Diploma in IT will only be awarded to those candidates who have passed, rather than been exempted from, at least half of the required number of modules. However, a transcript will be issued in all cases. The Diploma in IT will only be awarded to those candidates who have passed, or been exempted from the Certificate in IT and have passed the Diploma Examination and the Diploma Project. The Professional Graduate Diploma in IT will only be awarded to those candidates who have passed, or been exempted from the Certificate in IT, the Diploma Examination and have passed the Professional 5 Updated 17th March 2014

6 Graduate Diploma Examination and Professional Graduate Diploma Project. Certificates will list the modules passed and/or the appropriate modules for which exemption has been granted to gain the award. Certificates will also be issued upon award of the Professional Project (Diploma or Professional Graduate Diploma level). Upon request, a modular certificate listing the individual module(s) passed will be issued. NOTE: Certificates will only be awarded where a candidate has passed 50% or more of the modules. 7 Fees Fees will be payable for the following: Entry and re-entry to a written examination Submission and resubmission of a Professional Project Submission and resubmission of a dissertation abstract Submission and resubmission of a dissertation Issue of a modular certificate Fees are reviewed and published annually. All candidates must hold current membership of BCS. This is usually at Student membership level. 8 Mitigating circumstances Any candidates who believe they have mitigating circumstances with regard to their examination performance must write to the Head of Higher Education Qualifications explaining the circumstances within three weeks of the examination. Appropriate supporting evidence e.g. a bona fide medical certificate must be included with the correspondence. 9 Appeals BCS operates an appeals system. Details are available from the HEQ Office 10 Unfair practice or breach of regulations Breach of the regulations in 10.1 and 10.2 below, will be considered a breach of the BCS Code of Conduct. BCS will take action against any candidate proven to have breached regulations. Candidates may be disqualified from the examination(s) or project in which they have breached the regulations, as well as from all other examinations / project taken or submitted at the same sitting. Such disqualifications will appear on all subsequent transcripts. Candidates may also be subject to BCS disciplinary action. This may lead to a public reprimand, suspension from BCS or permanent expulsion Unfair practice in a written examination Candidates must not have any of the following in their possession during a written examination: books, leaflets, paper of any kind apart from answer books issued in connection with the examination, handheld devices with data storage or external connectivity e.g. PDAs, mobile phones. Possession of such material during an examination will be considered a breach of regulations whether or not the candidate has used it. There will be provision in the examination room for candidates to deposit such material before the start of the examination. Candidates must not, for any reason whatsoever, communicate with each other during a written examination. Candidates must at all times obey the instructions of the invigilator Unfair practice in project/dissertation submission (plagiarism) Plagiarism consists of passing off the work or ideas of others as your own. It is a clear breach of the BCS Code of Conduct. Candidates should refer to the Notes for Guidance to ensure they understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. 6 Updated 17th March 2014

7 11 Use of calculators BCS will allow non-programmable calculators only for the following examinations: Certificate in IT none Diploma in IT Computer Networks, IT Project Management Professional Graduate Diploma in IT none Such calculators must be independently powered, silent and suitable for use on a desk. Calculators must NOT be capable of communicating with any other calculator, computer or information source such as the internet. They must not be capable of text storage, retrieval or manipulation, of language translation or retrieval of formulae. If a calculator has a memory then it must be cleared prior to the start of an examination. Instruction manuals or similar must not be brought into the examination room. Calculators shall be presented for inspection on request to any invigilator. 7 Updated 17th March 2014