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Course type: Diploma
Credits: 120

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes: 2 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Course cost: See Fees and funding
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing

: Course code: E81

This flexible diploma enables computing practitioners to pursue their career goals. You’ll gain advanced knowledge, skills and techniques and develop a professional approach to studying and applying computing. You can choose modules to meet your requirements or focus on information security and forensics or software engineering.

Key features

Course details

Entry requirements

Careers

A choice of study routes and specialisms to fit with your professional needs and interests
Encourages you to draw on your own background and experience
Develops transferable skills applicable to your employment and continuing professional development
The chance to top up to the MSc in Computing in just one more year

This postgraduate diploma is the same as the first two-thirds of our MSc in Computing (F66).

Course type

Diploma

Credits

120

How long it takes

2 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes

Study method

Distance learning

Course cost

See Fees and funding

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Entry requirements

Modules

You’ll choose one of three routes:

Broad route
Information Security and Forensics
Software Engineering

Broad route

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

60–120 credits from:

Module	Credits	Next start
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Digital forensics (M812) M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Project management (M815) This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025

0–60 credits from:

Module	Credits	Next start
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Network security (T828) This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Systems security (M817) This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Technology innovation management (TB801) This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

Information Security and Forensics

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

60 credits from:

Modules	Credits	Next start
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Digital forensics (M812) M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025

60 credits from:

Modules	Credits	Next start
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Network security (T828) This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Project management (M815) This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Systems security (M817) This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Technology innovation management (TB801) This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

Software Engineering

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

Stage 1 (120 credits)

60 credits from:

Modules	Credits	Next start
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025

60 credits from:

Module	Credits	Next start
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Digital forensics (M812) M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Network security (T828) This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Project management (M815) This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Systems security (M817) This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Technology innovation management (TB801) This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

Networking

The networking route is no longer available to new students. Current students must complete it by 31 December 2028.

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

90 credits from:

Modules	Credits	Next start
Network security (T828) This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
And the discontinued module, Advanced networking (CCNP Enterprise) (T829)	60

30 credits from:

Modules	Credits	Next start
Data management (M816) Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Digital forensics (M812) M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871) TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872) This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Project management (M815) This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Software development (M813) Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Software engineering (M814) Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2025
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Systems security (M817) This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Technology innovation management (TB801) This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T824, T846, T848, T889, TU811, TU812 and U810.

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

Credit transfer

If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Postgraduate Diploma in Computing. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip Comp (Open) after your name.

If you choose a specialist route, your qualification title will show that:

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Information Security and Forensics)
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Networking)
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering)

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 19 March 2024.

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Although this qualification has no entry requirements, we recommend you have

a UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a computing discipline or relevant industry experience
minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores of
- Reading: 5.5
- Writing: 5.5
- Speaking: 5.5
- Listening: 5.5
- Overall: 6.0.

Our free course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, helps you develop the skills and confidence to manage the requirements and demands of postgraduate study.

How long it takes

Most students study the Postgraduate Diploma in Computing part-time, completing 60 credits a year over two years. Typically, this means 12–13 study hours each week.

You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Computing within four years.*

*You must complete the MSc in Computing (Networking) within four years or by 31 December 2028, whichever is sooner.

Career relevance

The modules in the postgraduate computing programme are for professional computer specialists, engineers, technical managers and scientists who need to update their skills and knowledge in specific areas, and gain recognised qualifications to develop their careers.

The modules have been developed to combine theoretical and practical aspects of computing, to enable you to become an effective professional in the computing industry. In addition they encourage you, through the provision of appropriate educational activities, to develop study and transferable skills applicable to your employment and your continuing professional development.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Computing