BCS is established in 1957 and it is the leading body for those who work in IT in UK.

BCS was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1984. Its objects are to promote the study and practice of computing and to advance knowledge of and education in IT for the benefit of the public. BCS is QCA (Qualification and curriculum Authority) accredited and relevant to employers, they set the highest standard of professionalism within the industry.

BCS Higher Education Qualifications are the essential qualifications for a career in computing and information technology (IT). Successful completion of the all three levels of the examinations gives you a route to postgraduate study at many universities. BCS HEQ is an approved qualification by University Grant Commission of Sri Lanka

Syllabi and Examination Structure

Certificate in IT(£40 per subject)

There are three compulsory Modules. This is equivalent to Year 1 of UK university honors degree and also equivalent to QCA Level 4

1. Information Systems
This module covers the systems analysis and design, database systems, data analysis and management, systems and organizations.

2. Software Development
This module covers the programming, using many styles and languages. So that the student is learning fundamental concepts of programming such as algorithms, testing, file storage methods, user interface etc

3. Computer and Network Technology
This module covers fundamentals of number systems, hardware, operating systems, systems software, networks and systems performance measurements.

Diploma in IT(£45 per subject)

This level is equivalent to Year 2 of a UK university honors degree and also recognized by QCA as Level 5. In the Diploma level student has to sit for four modules including the compulsory module (Core module). Following are the subjects of Diploma level.

1. Professional issues in Information Systems practice.(Core module) ( April/ October)
2. Computer Networks (April/ October)
3. Database Systems (April/ October)
4. IT Project Management (April/ October)
5. Object Oriented Programming (April/ October)
6. Principles of Internet Technologies (April only)
7. IT Service Management (April only)
8. Software Engineering 1(April only)
9. Systems Analysis and Design (April/ October)
10. Principles of User Interface Design (April only)

Professional Graduate Diploma Level in IT(£85 per subject)

This is equivalent to a final year of the UK honors degree and recognized by QCA as level 6 qualification.

Each candidate should take at least 4 modules for the examinations. In this level all the subjects are optional. Following are the subjects of the PGD level.
Advance Database Management Systems (April/ October)

1. Management Information Systems(April/ October)
2. Software Engineering 2(April/ October)
3. Computer Service Management(April/ October)
4. Distributed and Parallel Systems(April only)
5. Knowledge Based Systems(April only)
6. Network Information Systems(April only)
7. Programming Paradigms(April only)
8. Realizing the User Interface(April only)
9. System Design Methods(April only)
10. Web Engineering(April only)

Professional Project (£105)

Membership and Other Details

There are three levels of examination covering a wide range of IT topics acknowledging the practical experience and academic ability.

1. Certificate in IT
2. Diploma in IT
3. Professional Graduate Diploma (PGD) in IT

After completion of the all three levels and the practical project, the qualification is equivalent to the academic level of a UK university Honours degree and all three levels of BCS are accredited by QCA. The student can begin from any level of the examination. However, the level at which you begin will only be awarded if you have passed or exempted from the preceding level.

The student should obtain a membership from BCS in order to apply for the examinations. There are two categories if membership

Annual Membership £30( Approximately (LKR.6210/=)
Full course membership ( Full time) £50 (Approximately (LKR.10350/=)

Examinations are held twice a year in April and October.