Hi Narialanders,

The British Computer Society or BCS is the leading professional and learned Society in the field of computing and information systems in the world with 60,000 members in over 100 countries. The BCS regulates the IT profession in the UK (including computing and IT related courses in UK universities).

The BCS professional examinations are internationally recognized and the PGD in IT from the BCS (which are offered in Nigeria) is recognized in the UK as being equivalent to a BSc from a UK university and it accepted by UK universities for entry into MSc programs. The BCS exams are designed in a way that prospective students can either prepare for the exams through self-study (as all the required books are listed) or by attending lectures.

There are no basic qualifications required to take the exams.

The exams are taken twice a year in April and October and there are just three stages. These stages are: Certificate in IT, Diploma in IT and Postgraduate Diploma in IT. Passing these along with a PGD project will give you the equivalent of a BSc in IT or Computing related field from a UK university.

I am a professional member of the British Computer Society (MBCS) and have passed these exams. In fact I am my colleagues were the only ones who have taken the exams in Nigeria in the last two and a half years and I can confidently say that in Nigeria, we are in the best position to advise anyone concerning these exams.

We will tell you the materials to use for your study, and advise you for the most effective way to register for the exams from Nigeria (from our past experiences). We can also provide study materials for you and guide you on the exam techniques.

The deadline for the April exam is the 15th of January so do contact us immediately.


Contact us for details.

Email: bcs@kuipersystemsgroup.com
Phone: +234 8062756262

@ Poster,

Are there jobs on completion of these exams?

Can you post all that is needed to be known and done so that guys can upgrade asap. I love thsi kind of posts.

since the dealine is fast approaching,why dont lets know what it takes so one can upgrade through this medium.and if i may ask what are the courses they have.

Concerning your inquiry concerning the British Computer Society (BCS) Professional Examinations, here’s the info you requested.

The official website of the BCS is www.bcs.org and you can find all information you need there. Concerning the exams, go to www.bcs.org/exams. Download the prospectus, a PDF document. This document used to be known as the study guide.

I will try to sift some of the information for you and put it in context…
Firstly, membership of the BCS bestows on your some membership benefits. These include discount on software, free legal help, free subscription to leading IT journals and magazines, a lot of networking opportunities with IT professionals from all over the world an many others.

When you pay for the exam, you automatically become a (student) member and you can always upgrade your membership to Associate membership or Professional membership. There is also the Chattered IT professional status.

The examinations is in 3 parts;
Certificate
Diploma And the
Postgraduate Diploma

For example, after passing the Diploma level, you will be awarded a Diploma in IT from the British Computer Society.

The Diploma and PGD level have projects. You can choose to take the project at Diploma level if you want to end there or you can choose to take it at the PGD level.
Instead of taking the PGD exams, you can also do your PGD by dissertation.

These examinations are equivalent to the following:

CERTIFICATE AND DIPLOMA EXAMINATIONS
The Diploma is examined to the academic level of a Higher
National Diploma. The Certificate is examined to the
academic level of the first year of a Higher National Diploma.

PROFESSIONAL GRADUATE DIPLOMA EXAMINATION
The Professional Graduate Diploma is examined to the
academic level of a university honours degree.

PROFESSIONAL PROJECT (DIPLOMA LEVEL)
The Professional Project (Diploma level) is examined to the
level expected of a Higher National Diploma project.

PROFESSIONAL PROJECT (PROFESSIONAL
GRADUATE DIPLOMA LEVEL)
The Professional Project (Professional Graduate Diploma
level) is examined to the level expected of a university
honours degree project.

PROFESSIONAL GRADUATE DIPLOMA BY DISSERTATION
The Professional Graduate Diploma by Dissertation is
examined to the standard expected of a UK masters degree
(MSc) dissertation.

The BCS Professional Examinations are higher educational
qualifications: the Certificate is examined to the first year of a
UK university honours degree, the Diploma to the second year
and the Professional Graduate Diploma to the third (final year)
of a UK university honours degree. This assumes the equivalent
of full-time study.

The universities listed below recognise the BCS Professional Graduate Diploma in IT
(incorporating a pass at the associated Professional Project) as an acceptable qualification for entry* on to an MSc course in an IT/computer science related subject.

• University of Aberdeen
• University of Abertay Dundee
• University of Wales, Aberystwyth
• Anglia Ruskin University
• University of Wales, Bangor
• University of Bedforshire
• University of Birmingham
• University of Central England in Birmingham
• University of Bolton
• Bournemouth University
• University of Brighton
• Cardiff University
• University of Chester
• De Montfort University
• University of East Anglia
• University of East London
• University of Gloucestershire
• University of Greenwich
• Heriot Watt University
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Huddersfield
• University of Hull
• University of Kent
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Leeds
• Leeds Metropolitan University
• University of Leicester
• University of Lincoln
• Liverpool John Moores University
• Birkbeck College (University of London)
• Loughborough University
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• University of Manchester
• Middlesex University
• Newcastle University
• Northumbria University
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Plymouth
• Robert Gordon University
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Southampton Solent University
• University of Surrey
• University of Teeside
• Thames Valley University
• University of Ulster
• University of West of England
• University of Westminster
• University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Sometime, last year, I met the admissions officers of some of the top UK universities included in this list and can confirm that they accept the BSC PGD as equivalent as a BSc from the UK and they also accept it for entry for IT related Masters degree programs.
I can share some of my correspondences with these schools with you if necessary.

Concerning the question of if there are jobs upon completing the exams (user
eniyan asked the question), well no one can guarantee that, but the BCS has a website, bcsrecruit.com where they allow you upload your CV and they bring top industry recruiters to select from there.

Here’s the most important part:
Here’s how to register for the exam:
Download the entry forms and fill them up.
The entry forms have a space for you to pay by credit card. So you fill your credit card details in there and mail or fax the form to the BCS.

The fees paid to BCS when you are ready to take the examination. DO NOT PAY THROUGH ANY OTHER MEANS.
We have had bad experiences where people missed the exams because of this.

Here’s the basic price breakdown:
Certificate in IT (fee per module) £37
Diploma in IT (fee per module) £42
Professional Graduate Diploma in IT (fee per module) £79
Exam venue surcharge (if applicable, for non standard
venues (fee per candidate) £50

So, for the certificate module for example, here’s the total fee you will be paying:
3 required modules x 37 = 111
+
Exam venue surcharge (which in Nigeria is the British Council) = 50
+
BCS Student membership fee = 20
Total fee = 181 pounds.

If you have problems with a credit card, which we had 2 years ago, the BCS gave us their account which wired payments can be made to.

Here are some quotes from the current and previous study guides (which you may not be able to find anymore) which I have pulled together. These will give you a good idea of what the BCS exam.


From the 2005 - 2006 Study guide:
“I didn’t have a degree, so one of my
lecturers recommended BCS
Professional Examinations as a way
to get early recognition of my
expertise in IT. I studied the course
part-time in the evening. I got a lot
better understanding of where IT fits
into an organisation. I also joined as a
BCS member – helping me keep my
finger on the pulse of current IT
issues, such as off-shoring.
Thomas Treitlinger,
Certificate candidate Ireland“



”My main reason for taking the Exam
was to work towards Chartered
status. Computing is an accessible
field in which you can learn a great
deal for yourself.
However, taking a BCS Professional
Exam gives you focus in your learning.
The content is relevant to industry.
Moreover, it is an academic specialist
exam covering the fundamentals of IT.”
Chris Pheby,
Professional Graduate Diploma candidate
UK


From the 2006-2007 study guide
“I initially took accountancy exams
(ACCA) in Mauritius, but wanted to
change my career path to move into
IT solutions. BCS Professional
Examinations really are prestigious IT
qualifications that are highly respected
worldwide. Taking the Professional
Graduate Diploma has really boosted
my morale and given me the
confidence to face the world of IT.”
Siddick Ayoub,
Professional Graduate Diploma candidate
Mauritius

Like I said in my earlier post, we (my colleagues and I) have been the only ones taking these exams in Nigeria in the past 3 years. We can guage this because we have been the only ones at the venue of the exams. The worst was a situation when I was the only one in the exam hall for my PGD exam…
We really want something to start here. The benefits are immense.
For example, the BCS goes to Mauritius and Sri Lanka for the BCS graduation ceremonies, the fees in those countries are also lower.
Lots of people take the exams from these countries.


Thanks.

The BCS has a magazine for its members, IT Now. It is an authoritative IT publication and my contribution has been published in two of the issues of the magazine,

Someone asked in an earlier post, "what are the courses they have?". I forgot to answer that,

All the regular courses you will go through when doing a BSc in Computer science or an IT related field in a UK university; Software Development, Databases, the internet etc.

There were three courses that I loved the most (in order of preference):

Artificial Intelligence: I learnt to develop computer programs that can make decisions on their own and learn from experience!

I also loved the compulsory module at the Diploma module, Professional Issues in Information Systems Practice. I learnt all the IT laws in the UK and Europe. I also learnt how to run a global business… the different organizational structures etc. If you don’t know these things, you will be in real trouble if you try to implement an IT project outside Nigeria. For example, if Narialand was from “that side”, users have the right (by law) to ask for the data Narialand has about them and have it deleted if they don’t like what they find out. Nairaland could also be in trouble for collecting data about users it doesn’t need to offer them better services on Nairaland. Lastly, if Narialand is ever hacked, Nairaland could be in trouble if it is discovered it didn’t have the latest security in place.

One of the courses made me learn the history of the internet, how it was invented and how it evolved.

Here are the ones I didn’t like (also in order of preference):

I didn’t like the Network based exams (I don’t enjoy networking very much), although I learnt a whole lot.

I didn’t like the database exam, I don’t like databases ordinarily (I’m a programmer, I became a Sun Certified Java programmer in 2002). Some of my colleagues loved it though.

So, that’s it.

I think this could be my last post concerning the subject.

“I no try?”

Hi,
Please help.I should be sitting for the April BCS Certificate exams and i'm using the Self study pattern.My greatest headache has been sourcing for study materials.Appreciate it if you could be of help please.
Thanks,
Bode

Good day,
I read this your mail very very late but I am still interested in it.

Kindly assist to send a detailed infor on the easiest way to attempt this course to me at olusegun.olusodo@gmail.com.

Thanks for your anticipated assistance.

Regards,

Segun.