Last updated on 21 Apr '25BCSAll About Courses & Platform
The British Computer Society (BCS) offers an extensive list of certifications and online courses to equip the learner with the necessary skills and knowledge for several roles in the IT domain. It offers a structured learning pathway that meets all levels, from beginners to experts. Here's an overview of the BCS course offerings:
Online IT Professional Development Courses
These online courses focus on building key skills relevant to the evolving IT industry. The learning modules help professionals stay updated with industry trends and meet career development needs in a competitive and dynamic environment.
| Course Name | Cost | Course Takeaway |
| BCS Foundation Certificate in the Ethical Build of AI (12 hours) | £192 incl. VAT |
|
| Driving Sustainability: Exploring Green IT Policies and Their Impact (60 - 90 minutes) |
£36.00 |
|
| Developing an Agile Mindset (60 - 90 minutes) |
£36.00 |
|
| An Introduction to Information Security (60 - 90 minutes) |
£36.00 |
|
| The Principles of Information Security Architecture (60 - 90 minutes) | £36.00 |
|
| Enhancing Accessibility Through Inclusive Design (60 - 90 minutes) |
£36.00 |
|
Certifications for IT professionals
BCS offers a range of certifications designed to enhance the skills of IT professionals and validate their competence in various areas of technology. These certifications are developed with leading employers and industry experts, ensuring they align with current industry standards and practices. A BCS IT certification demonstrates a professional's IT and business practices expertise.
Agile Certifications
The Agile certification program covers a comprehensive range of Agile practices, from foundational knowledge to advanced certifications, allowing individuals to gain expertise in Agile working, Agile transformation, Scrum, and project management.
Foundation
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile
- BCS EXIN Foundation Certificate in Agile Scrum
- SFIAplus level 3
Practitioner
- BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Master
- BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Product Owner
- BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Product Owner (Bridge)
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Digital Product Management
- SFIAplus level 4
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Certifications
AI certifications provide an excellent base in the trending field of artificial intelligence, focusing specifically on machine learning, ethical use of AI, and proper implementation of AI.
AI certification portfolio
AI Pathway
- Artificial Intelligence Foundation Pathway
- SFIAplus level 3
Essentials
- BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence
- SFIAplus level 2
Foundation
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence
- SFIAplus level 3
Certificate in the Ethical Build of AI
- BCS Foundation Certificate in the Ethical Build of AI
Business Analysis Certifications
The Business Analysis certifications are designed to enhance the analytical capabilities of professionals. These certifications assist in developing the expertise required to analyze business needs, propose solutions, and manage organisational changes.
Foundation
- Business Analysis
- Digital Business Change
- Organisational Behaviour
- IS Project Management
- SFIAplus Level 3
Practitioner
- Business Analysis Practice
- Benefits Management and Business Acceptance
- Modelling Business Processes
- Data Management Essentials
- Requirements Engineering
- International Diploma in Business Analysis
- SFIAplus Level 4
Professional
- Advanced Requirements Engineering
- Agile Business Analysis
- Benefits Planning and Realisation
- Business Analysis Service Delivery
- Business Architecture
- Business Finance
- Data Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Team Leadership
- SFIAplus Level 5
Consultant
- Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis
- Available once you've completed four professional-level certifications of your choice.
- SFIAplus Level 6
Expert
- Expert BA Award
- SFIAplus Level 7
DevOps Certification
The BCS DevOps certification introduces DevOps principles and practices, focusing on key concepts such as continuous integration, automation, and collaboration.
Foundation
- BCS Foundation Level Certificate in DevOps
- SFIAplus level 1-3
Governance Certifications
The Service Integration and Management certification portfolio (SIAM) is designed for professionals interested in implementing SIAM methodologies within an organization. It is a relevant certification for people who work with IT Service Management processes.
Foundation
- BCS EXIN Foundation Certificate in SIAM™
- SFIAplus level 3
Professional
- BCS EXIN Professional Certificate in SIAM™
- SFIAplus level 4
IT Architecture Certifications
BCS IT Architecture certifications provide a career development roadmap for professionals seeking IT architecture careers. These certifications are designed to educate individuals on applying digital technologies to create and sustain strong IT infrastructures.
Foundation
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Architecture Concepts and Domains
- SFIAplus level 3
Award
- BCS Specialist Architecture Awards
- SFIAplus level 3-4
Practitioner
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Enterprise and Solutions Architecture
- SFIAplus level 3-4
Information Security And Data Protection Certifications
This information security and data protection certification portfolio addresses critical information security, privacy, and data protection areas. The professionals learn about protecting sensitive data, managing risks, and complying with regulations.
Essentials
- BCS EXIN Essentials Certificate in Blockchain
- SFIAplus level 2
Foundation
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles
- BCS EXIN Foundation Certificate in Blockchain
- SFIAplus level 3
Practitioner
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Information Assurance Architecture
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Information Risk Management
- SFIAplus level 4 - 5
Information assurance certification
- CCP assured service
Software Testing Certifications
BCS collaborates with its global partner, ISTQB®, to offer BCS software testing certification pathways to help students move up the career ladder in the software testing industry. Listed below are the certifications offered -
Foundation
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level - Agile Tester
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level - AI Testing
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level - Usability Testing
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level - Performance Testing
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level - Acceptance Testing
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level - Mobile Application Testing
- SFIAplus level 3
Higher
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Management
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Analyst
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level - Technical Test Analyst
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Automation Engineer
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Automation Engineering
- ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Automation Strategy
- ISTQB® Advanced Level Agile Technical Tester
- SFIAplus level 5
Solution Development Certifications
The Solution Development certification portfolio offers a modular approach to learning and career progression in software development. It offers internationally recognized certifications showing proficiency in designing, developing, and integrating solutions.
Foundation
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development
- BCS Foundation Certificate in User Experience
- SFIAplus level 3
Practitioner
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Systems Design Techniques
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Systems Development Essentials
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Systems Integration
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Systems Modelling and Development
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Systems Modelling Techniques
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in User Experience
- SFIAplus level 4
Higher
- BCS International Diploma in Solution Development
- SFIAplus level 5
Conclusion
BCS's certifications and online courses will aid in career progression and skills development in the IT and technology sectors. It encompasses different areas such as Agile practices, artificial intelligence, information security, business analysis, and software testing. Learners will gain relevant knowledge and competencies to perform their roles efficiently while keeping up with industry requirements and current trends.
BCS All courses
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FAQs - BCS Courses
What are BCS courses and certifications?
BCS courses and certifications are professional courses intended to acquire skills and knowledge in IT and related fields. These courses meet one's requirements for various domains, including Agile practices, artificial intelligence, information security, business analysis, software testing, and IT governance. These courses, based on the structure of online classrooms, offer flexibility and accessibility while learning at your pace to gain industry-relevant expertise.
Who can take up BCS online courses?
BCS online courses are for IT professionals, recent graduates, and career changers looking to build or advance their tech industry careers. The programs include beginner, intermediate, and advanced level certifications. That means anyone can choose one program that best fits them and their current needs, as it could help them learn technical skills or know best practices in the industry.
How do BCS certifications align with industry standards?
BCS certifications are developed in collaboration with leading industry experts and employers. They align with current IT trends and best practices, ensuring learners acquire the required skills. BCS Certifications follow the SFIAplus framework, which standardizes IT competency levels, providing global recognition of the qualifications.
What is the cost of BCS online courses?
The cost of BCS courses varies depending on the certification level and subject. For instance, foundational-level courses like the "BCS Foundation Certificate in the Ethical Build of AI" cost around £192 (including VAT). In contrast, shorter courses like "Driving Sustainability: Exploring Green IT Policies" are priced at approximately £36. Advanced certifications may have higher fees due to the depth of content.
How are BCS online courses structured?
BCS online courses are modular, with video lectures, interactive exercises, quizzes, and downloadable resources. Many courses also include case studies of real-world scenarios to illustrate how the theoretical concepts can be implemented. At the end of modules, assessments ensure users understand the material they have covered and are geared up for certification examinations.
BCS exams vary by certification, but standard formats include:
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) – Used for Foundation-level certifications.
Scenario-Based Questions – Found in Practitioner and higher-level certifications.
Practical Assessments – Required for some advanced technical certifications.
Written Assignments – Used for some professional-level qualifications.
Exams are generally taken online through a proctored examination system, guaranteeing security and equality. Higher-level certifications may be assessed in-person.
Eligibility for enrolling in BCS online courses depends on the certification level:
Foundation Level – Open to anyone with basic IT knowledge; no prior experience required.
Practitioner Level – Requires some prior knowledge or experience in the relevant IT domain. Some certifications may recommend a Foundation-level qualification first.
Advanced and Professional Levels – Generally need several years of experience in the industry and, in some instances, prerequisite certifications.
For professional certifications such as CITP, applicants are required to show practical experience and IT competence.
Retake Policy – You might have to wait a certain amount of time before trying the exam again. This depends on the certification.
Additional Charges – Retake exams typically incur an extra fee, although some training companies may grant discounts for retakes.
Preparation Assistance – Learners can review their weak points with practice exams, study materials, and further training sessions once they have failed.
Attempts – Most tests permit a number of retakes, while some professional certifications might cap the number of attempts.
Costs of BCS online certifications vary by certification, but here are some general price ranges:
Foundation Certifications – £150–£500
Practitioner Certifications – £500–£1,500
Advanced Certifications – £1,500–£3,000
Professional Certifications – £3,000+
Some training providers offer bundled courses, including study materials, practice exams, and certification fees. Discounts may be available for students or BCS members.
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Updated on Apr 21, 2025
