BCS Professional Graduate Diploma in IT

Prepare for a rewarding career in technology by developing specialist degree-level knowledge and practical skills aligned with your chosen field of IT.

Important announcement: Higher Education Qualifications (HEQ)

As the Chartered Institute for IT, it is our responsibility to ensure our qualifications are continually reviewed and updated to ensure they support the needs and demands of the future workforce.

Read the full announcement

Who is it for?

  • The Professional Graduate Diploma in IT is for students who are dedicated to working in the IT industry and are looking to gain depth of knowledge and expertise

What are the entry requirements?

  • You need to have passed, or been made exempt from, the BCS Certificate in IT and the BCS Diploma in IT
  • You must be a BCS member to sit the exam
  • You must be aged 16 years old and over

While not a requirement, it is recommended that those studying HEQ are working at International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Level 5.5 or above.

Apply for membership

What is the professional IT project?

  • You’ll need to produce a 10,000-word professional IT project to complete your Professional Graduate Diploma in IT.

    Project guidance

Is there any exemption?

  • If you already hold a qualification that covers the HEQ syllabus, you can apply for exemption from specific modules (no more than two).

    Check exemption criteria

What will I learn?

Four selected modules and a professional IT project.

Selected modules (choose four)

Our qualification guide provides further information.

How do I get this qualification?

Complete training programme (recommended)

Complete your study with a BCS approved training provider - they're located around the world.

How long will it take?

We recommend a minimum of 250 hours of study for each module, and 300 hours of study to complete your professional project in IT

Where can I study?

We have BCS approved training providers in:

  • Ghana
  • Mauritius
  • Nepal
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Zimbabwe

How much does it cost?

Course prices vary depending on your chosen training provider and course format.

Find a training provider

Exam and project only (study on your own)

Ideal if you’re self-motivated and already detailed understanding in the relevant areas of IT.

How long will it take?

To prepare for your exam, we recommend a minimum of 250 hours of study for each module. You’ll sit a three-hour exam which covers all four of your chosen modules. Practical experience is required to answer some parts of the exam.

When can I sit my exams?

Find out more about the annual availability for HEQ exams.

Where do I sit my exam?

We have exam venues across the world, including Colombo and Reduit.

When do I submit my project?

There are two assessment periods each year: March and September

How much does it cost?

Exam price: £90

Project submission: £105

Register for exam

What format is the exam?

Written exam covering each module

  • Three-hour ‘closed book’ per module
  • Pass mark: 40% per module

Past papers and exam reports

Need some help?

Read our guidance on exam technique for tips on what to do when you open your exam paper.

"Studying for BCS qualifications was the wisest decision I made - coupled with excellent teaching support, I was able to achieve the highest accolades."

Mohomed Nillar, PGD in IT graduate, Sri Lanka

What's next?

Become a chartered professional

  • You're eligible to apply for full BCS Professional membership when you pass your Professional Graduate Diploma in IT
  • Work towards chartered status by continuing to develop your IT knowledge, experience and business skills in a professional role.

Read more about Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status