Graduate Certificate in Computing

Course Outline

This programme of study is intended primarily for graduates from a non-computing background to obtain fundamental knowledge and understanding of a range of core subjects in IT and computing. The overall aims are to:

• Equip graduates who want to develop their careers in their own areas of speciality with a solid understanding and awareness of IT and computing
• Convert those who want to change their careers into the IT and computing field.

Graduates who successfully complete the programme are eligible for entry into the MSc in Innovative Computing degree programme. The Certificate programme consists of 90 units of credit. Students take 6 taught courses over 6 months. The Certificate programme is more suitable for students with science, engineering or mathematics backgrounds. Computing graduates who have applied to study MSc in Innovative Computing but lack of sufficient knowledge in key areas (such as programming, databases and networking) may be required to take the Certificate programme before being admitted to the MSc programme.  On completing the programme, you will be able to:

• Understand fundamental concepts and principles of computing and information systems
• Develop simple software systems and database applications
• Describe computing technologies and their use in practice
• Exercise critical analysis and evaluation of information systems

The programme will also help you to develop skills in:

• A range of Microsoft application software tools
• Programming in industry standard languages (VB or C++ and Java)
• Database development
• Software system analysis and design
• Individual work and teamwork

Teaching Method

Our courses include a mixture of formal lectures, tutorial classes and practical classes. At the start of each course you will be given an up-to-date course outline and reading list. Most courses will provide two or three hours of lectures each week to introduce you to the basic concepts and techniques. These will be supported by lecture notes or handouts.

Lectures are supported by weekly tutorial classes, usually one hour in length, which are held in small groups so that all students can benefit from individual attention. You will be expected to prepare for these classes, for example by attempting a set of exercises or by reading a case study.

Many of our courses have supervised practical classes in the computer laboratories in which you can apply and practise the techniques you have learnt in the lectures. These practical sessions are usually two or three hours long.

You will also be expected to study on your own, using the library for reading research and the computer laboratories to improve your practical skills.

Course material is increasingly being made available on the University’s own Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This allows students to download lecture notes, submit assignments and share resources in an electronic forum both within the University’s computer network and remotely.

After your degree

The increasing specialisation which is frequently required in the employment market is no longer provided by just an undergraduate degree. A postgraduate degree provides these advanced skills and, in today’s competitive employment market, is becoming increasingly important in order to stand out from the crowd.

Any successful career choice in the market place will be dependent on a number of factors. Your academic qualification, while important, may not be the deciding factor. Your attitude, skills and experience matter too. Whatever your motivation in taking a postgraduate course, you should think about the transferable skills an employer is seeking, and taking advantage of every opportunity for self-development to improve your chances of success in your future career. The Careers Service has the resources to help you with this process.