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• Pass at least one subject at Grade E in GCE A level (or)
• equivalent foreign qualifications (or) possess level 3 Diploma from Pearson BTEC / NCC Education (or)
• Mature candidates (minimum 30 years old with 8 years of working experience) with NITEC or minimum 2 GCE O level passes (at least C6 in English and any other subject) or 3 GCE N level passes (at least grade 5 in English and any two other subjects)
• Language Proficiency: Students entering the programme whose first language is not English or students whose medium of instruction on their qualifying programme was not English will be required to demonstrate a proficiency in English to TOEFL 500 / IELTS 5.5 or pass in BMC English entry test
  Articulate with: Final year top up Computing-related degree.

The Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing is a qualification with a minimum of 240 credits. The modules, levels and credit values of the programme satisfying the above requirements are given below.

Programming

• Define basic algorithms to carry out an operation and outline the process of programming an application.
• Explain the characteristics of procedural, object-orientated and event-driven programming, conduct an analysis of a suitable Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
• Implement basic algorithms in code using an IDE.
• Determine the debugging process and explain the importance of a coding standard.

Networking

• Examine networking principles and their protocols.
• Explain networking devices and operations.
• Design efficient networked systems.
• Implement and diagnose networked systems.

Professional Practice

• Demonstrate a range of interpersonal and transferable communication skills to a target audience.
• Apply critical reasoning and thinking to a range of problem-solving scenarios.
• Discuss the importance and dynamics of working within a team and the impact of team working in different environments.
• Examine the need for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and its role within the workplace and for higher level learning.

Managing a Successful Computing Project

• Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme.
• Conduct small-scale research, info. gathering & data collection to generate knowledge to support the project.
• Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis.
• Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance.

Software Development Lifecycles

• Describe different software development lifecycles.
• Explain the importance of a feasibility study.
• Undertake a software development lifecycle.
• Discuss the suitability of software behavioural design techniques.

Website Design & Development

• Explain server technologies and management services associated with hosting and managing websites.
• Categorise website technologies, tools and software used to develop websites.
• Utilise website technologies, tools and techniques with good design principles to create a multipage website.
• Create and use a Test Plan to review the performance and design of a multipage website.

Maths for Computing

• Use applied number theory in practical computing scenarios.
• Analyse events using probability theory and probability distributions.
• Determine solutions of graphical examples using geometry and vector methods.
• Evaluate problems concerning differential and integral calculus.

Business Intelligence

• Discuss business processes and the mechanisms used to support business decision-making.
• Compare the tools and technologies associated with business intelligence functionality.
• Demonstrate the use of business intelligence tools and technologies.
• Discuss the impact of business intelligence tools and technologies for effective decision-making purposes and the legal/regulatory context in which they are used.

Network Security

• Examine Network Security principles, protocols and standards.
• Design a secure network for a corporate environment.
• Configure Network Security measures for the corporate environment.
• Undertake the testing of a network using a Test Plan.

Data Structures and Algorithms

• Examine abstract data types, concrete data structures and algorithms.
• Specify abstract data types and algorithms in a formal notation.
• Implement complex data structures and algorithms.
• Assess the effectiveness of data structures and algorithms.

Information Security Management

• Explore the basic principles of information security management.
• Critically assess how an organisation can implement and maintain an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
• Appraise an ISMS and describe any weaknesses it may contain.
• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of implementing ISMS standards.

Systems Analysis & Design

• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional and agile systems analysis methodologies.
• Produce a feasibility study for a system for a business-related problem.
• Analyse their system using a suitable methodology.
• Design the system to meet user and system requirements.

E-Commerce & Strategy

• Examine the strategies employed and the impact of E-Commerce on business organisations.
• Analyse the hardware, software, web-based and database technologies involved in setting up a secure E-Commerce site.
• Design an E-Commerce strategy based on a given end user requirement or specification.
• Implement an E-Commerce strategy based on a given end user requirement or specification.

• Assess risks to IT security.
• Describe IT security solutions.
• Review mechanisms to control organisational IT security.
• Manage organisational security.

• Use an appropriate design tool to design a relational database system for a substantial problem.
• Develop a fully functional relational database system, based on an existing system design.
• Test the system against user and system requirements. 
•  Produce technical and user documentation.

Day/evening classes taught by lectures with academic and industry experience

Student must pass all the 15 modules i.e. the units (modules) equivalent to 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5 to be awarded with the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computing. Students must satisfy the minimum attendance requirements – 75% for Part-Time students and 90% for Full-time (both local and international students) – in all the modules for the award of Certificate of Attendance (COA).

Students are awarded a Pass, Merit and Distinction qualification grade using the points gained through all 120 credits at level 5 units.

Points per credit

Pass: 4

Merit: 6

Distinction: 8

Overall grade for the Higher National Diploma is awarded based on the table below:

Point Boundaries:

Assessment results will be available to the students within 3 months upon completion of the last assessment for that assessment cycle. Appeal (if any) on assessment results must be lodged within 7 days after the release of assessment results.