Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development
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Diploma
- Code
- D69
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Made up of
- 120 credit points
Description
The increased complexity of software systems and the dependence of many organisations on reliable computing systems stress the need for skilled software developers equipped with the knowledge and techniques to become the professionals at the leading edge of their field. The courses in this Diploma will equip you with a sound understanding of the software development process, the ability to meet the needs of the latest trends in the software industry and a broad range of skills for effective participation in a software development team.
If you would like more information about the Postgraduate Computing Programme, you can visit our website. This site includes additional information about the courses and qualifications, recommended routes through the programme and sample course materials.
Planning your studies
There are no entry requirements for the diploma courses, but you must be suitably prepared for study at professional level. You are expected to have studied to at least HNC/HND level, or to have had equivalent practical experience. Individual course descriptions will tell you more about the requirements.
You can take your courses in any order. It is often helpful to begin with a course that is related to your current area of work or to your own interests or experience, so that you can build on your strengths while getting used to Open University supported open learning. We recommend that you start with only one course in the first six-month study period. After this you will have a clearer understanding of the demands that courses will make on you, and can decide whether you wish to take more than one course at a time.
Your study of the diploma must be completed within 4 years from the start of the first course to sitting the examination of the last. If you find you have time to study 30 points worth of courses in every study period, you can of course obtain the diploma in two years. If you begin studying on this diploma, but later find that you cannot complete it within four years, you may be able to switch to the Postgraduate Diploma in Computing for Commerce and Industry (C02), or the Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Software Projects (E19) instead, depending on the courses you have studied. These two Diplomas have no time limits. We cannot guarantee that the same selection of courses will continue to be available.
You must include at least 40 credit points from OU courses that have not been counted in any other OU qualification you have been awarded.
All the courses listed below are available with electronic submission and marking of assignments and so can be studied anywhere in the world.
Career relevance and employability
The courses are designed for professional software developers and their managers, who need to update their skills and knowledge in software development, and to gain recognised qualifications to develop their careers.
For information on professional institutions, including the British Computing Society, and how they may value your OU study, please download our Recognition leaflet 3.7 Computing, or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy. You may be able to gain exemption from the BCS Professional Graduate Diploma and Professional Graduate Project by virtue of having gained your Diploma and MSc in Software Development.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
Courses
For this 120-point postgraduate diploma you require:
90 points from these compulsory courses:
| Postgraduate compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 FINAL |
|
15 | May 2010 |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses M874, M878, M880.
If you have already studied M880 as a compulsory course in this qualification, M882 and M883 may not also be taken as compulsory courses. You may not take both M874 and M887 as compulsory courses in this qualification.
And 30 points from the following optional courses (including M882, M883 and M887 unless these have already been taken as part of the 90 points of compulsory courses):
| Postgraduate optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses M877, M879, M881
Once you have completed the postgraduate diploma, you can gain the MSc in Software Development (F26) by taking a 60-point research project and dissertation course. For this your project topic will need to be in the area of software development. If you choose a topic that is in a more general area of computing, you may instead be awarded the MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry (F05).
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of 120 points’ worth of required courses you will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development entitling you to use the letters PGD Soft Dev (Open) after your name. If you obtain 60 points or more at Distinction grade in your courses, you will qualify for the award of the Diploma with Distinction.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
A postgraduate qualification in Computing and ICT.
Study explained
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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