Professional project in IT – guidance
Your professional project is an opportunity to demonstrate your competence by developing a computer-based solution to a problem in a practical, real-world setting with evidence of professional quality and value to the user.
What you need to know
Professional Graduate Diploma in IT candidates
You’ll need to complete a professional project as part of Professional Graduate Diploma in IT. We recommend a minimum study time of 300 hours for your project.
Diploma in IT candidates
If you’re not progressing to the Professional Graduate Diploma in IT, you’ll need to produce a professional project as part of your Diploma in IT, to successfully complete your qualification. We recommend a minimum study time of 200 hours for your project.
- Firstly download the relevant syllabus:
- Read the project guidance and submission guidance.
- Before you begin your project, you must submit a project proposal which our assessors will review to ensure your chosen project is suitable.
You’ll need complete a project proposal form and email it to exams@bcs.uk with your name, reference number and level of project (Diploma in IT or Professional Graduate Diploma in IT) in your email header.
Our assessors will review your proposal and provide you with feedback. Once your proposal is approved, you’ll be able to start working on your full project.
There are two mandatory submission windows for project proposals which correspond with the two annual HEQ assessment periods.
October assessment period:
Proposal submissions accepted from: 1 January
Closing date: 30 April
April assessment period:
Proposal submissions accepted from: 1 May
Closing date: 31 August
We'll request payment once we've received your proposal.
Project assessment fees
Diploma in IT £75
Professional Graduate Diploma in IT £105
Project assessment fees for Mauritius*
Diploma in IT £110
Professional Graduate Diploma in IT £140
*Assessment fees are higher in Mauritius because a viva assessment is also carried out.
How to pay:
- Make your payment online
- Credit / debit card payment by phone: +44 (0)1793 417424
- Pay by cheque or bank draft
You’ll need to email your completed project to exams@bcs.uk with your name, reference number and level of project (Diploma in IT or Professional Graduate Diploma in IT) in your email header.
With your email, you’ll also need to include a completed candidate form (P1) as well as an authenticator form (P2) which must be completed by your authenticator.
Your authenticator should be a BCS Professional (MBCS) member or Fellow (FBCS), or senior IT professional with a minimum of five years’ IT experience, such as your line manager or tutor.
There are two mandatory submission windows for your completed project, which correspond with the two annual HEQ assessment periods.
October assessment period:
Submit your completed project by 31 August
April assessment period:
Submit your completed project by 28 February
Project submission dates for Mauritius
If you’re studying in Mauritius, as part of your project assessment you’ll be required to attend a viva assessment at our BCS Mauritius regional office.
You’ll need to submit your project (a hard and soft copy, your P1 and P2 forms, and your examiner’s project proposal approval email) to the regional office by these dates:
October assessment period:
Submit your completed project by 31 July
(Viva assessment held in August)
April assessment period:
Submit your completed project by 31 January
(Viva assessment held in February)
October assessment period:
You’ll receive your results in December
April assessment period:
You’ll receive your results in August
