Undergraduate

Diploma of Higher Education in ICT

On this page

• Description
• Planning your studies
• Career relevance
• Courses
• Learning outcomes
• Credit for previous study elsewhere
• On completion
• Regulations
• How to register

Description

Go in to any workplace and you’re likely to find people using information and communication technologies (ICTs). They might be working on a computer, using a mobile phone, scanning data from a barcode, synchronising electronic diaries, setting up a video conference or doing a PowerPoint presentation.

The Diploma of Higher Education in Information and Communication Technologies enables you to develop the knowledge and skills that you need to work effectively with ICTs. You’ll explore the technological and human issues behind ICTs; develop practical and professional skills that will enhance your employability and career prospects; and learn how ICTs can change and benefit your organisation.

You’ll also learn how to plan for and manage your personal and professional development and gain an understanding of change management and project management through real work-based activities.

This Diploma of Higher Education will be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.  The same programme of study is also offered as the Foundation Degree in Information and Communication Technologies (G04).

Planning your studies

If you’re new to study or the OU, we strongly recommend that you start with Information and communication technologies at work (T121) or Networked living: exploring information and communication technologies (T175) and that you complete your Level 1 study before going on to Level 2. If you wish to study in a different order, do read the description of your chosen course carefully to ensure that you are sufficiently prepared for it.

Your choice from the optional courses might depend on whether you intend to progress from this diploma to an honours degree such as the BSc (Honours) Information and Communication Technologies (B38). You should check the requirements of any further qualifications that you are considering and seek advice from our Student Registration and Enquiry Service.

You can register your intention to study for this diploma when you reserve your place on individual courses, or you can ask us at any time to link courses that you have already studied towards the diploma. This gives you the flexibility to delay your decision or to change your mind as your studies progress. There is no time limit for obtaining the required credit points for this qualification; however, you should note limitations on individual courses as mentioned below. You must include at least 80 points from OU courses that have not been counted in an OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded.

Career relevance and employability

The development, design, operation and control of ICTs demands an increasing number of informed and skilled professionals. A widening skills gap in this area means that there will be a growing number of job opportunities for those qualified to work with ICT systems. The Diploma of Higher Education in Information and Communication Technologies offers the mix of skills and knowledge that employers and professional bodies are looking for through its distinctive blend of vocational, professional and academic components. Work-based learning, which makes up 25 per cent of the programme, is fundamental to this diploma. Unlike many other university courses, a high proportion of your study is based on your experience of ICTs within your organisation. In order to study the work-based learning courses, you must be employed in paid or voluntary work using ICTs as an essential part of your role for at least eight hours per week e.g. to communicate, share information, manage projects, support ICT systems and networks. You can also include industry-recognised professional certification courses for up to a further 25 per cent of this diploma.

The Diploma of Higher Education is aimed at students seeking continuing professional development, which will give them nationally recognised formal accreditation of their vocational and academic achievement. It will also help those wishing to start a career in ICT. Students studying this diploma are from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, including: school secretary, dental/hotel receptionist, furniture restorer, local government administrator, web designer, ICT administrator, ICT laboratory technician, network consultant.

Your diploma studies can open the door to new career opportunities and lead on to an honours or masters degree.

Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for the careers publication OU study and your career if you want to find out more about the process of career development and about sources of careers information and guidance.

For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.

There’s more information about the career relevance of degrees on the national HE Prospects website.

Courses

If you complete this diploma before December 2013 

For this 240-point diploma you require:

60 points from the following compulsory courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued course T171

And 60 points from the following optional courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued course MU120

And 90 points from the following compulsory courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued course T209 (60)

And 30 points from the following optional courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued course T228

All the courses listed can count towards the diploma for a maximum of five years after we have stopped presenting them – please see individual course descriptions for future availability. This restriction does not apply to the course MST121.

If you complete this diploma after December 2013 

For this 240-point diploma you require:

90 points from the following compulsory courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued course T171

And 150 points (at least 90 points should be at Level 2) from the following optional courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued course MU120, at Level 2 the discontinued courses T209, T228

All the courses listed can count towards the diploma for a maximum of five years after we have stopped presenting them – please see individual course descriptions for future availability. This restriction does not apply to the course MST121.

Credit for previous study elsewhere

For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.

On completion

On successful completion of the required courses, you will be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Information and Communications Technologies and will be entitled to use the letters Dip HE (ICT) after your name.

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

• Introduction to the Award Regulations
• General Award Regulations
• Diploma of Higher Education in ICT

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

An undergraduate 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.

Level

- indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.

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.

Got a question?

Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90

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