The objective of the OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Information Technology is to provide learners with an excellent foundation for a career in a range of organisations. It designed to ensure that each learner is ‘business ready’: a confident, independent thinker with a detailed knowledge of Information Technology, and equipped with the skills to adapt rapidly to change.
The qualification is ideal for those who have started, or are planning to move into, a career in private or public sector business. Successful completion of the Level 5 Diploma in Information Technology will provide learners with the opportunity to progress to further study or employment.
These qualifications are designed for learners who are typically aged 18 and above.
The entry profile for learners is likely to include at least one of the following:
English requirements: If a learner is not from a majority English-speaking country, they must provide evidence of English language competency. For more information visit the English Language Expectations page on the OTHM website.
The OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Information Technology consists of 12 mandatory units (six at level 4 and six at level 5) for a combined total of 240 credits, 2400 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 960 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.
The qualification is designed to be delivered over two academic years for full-time study, but it is also flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning.
The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.
All units within this qualification are internally assessed by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. Judgement that the learners have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the Assessor.
The Assessor should provide an audit trail showing how the judgement of the learners’ overall achievement has been arrived at.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a method of assessment that considers whether learners can demonstrate that they can meet the assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they already possess and do not need to develop through a course of learning.
RPL policies and procedures have been developed over time, which has led to the use of a number of terms to describe the process. Among the most common are:
● Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
● Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
● Accreditation of Prior Achievement (APA)
● Accreditation of Prior Learning and Achievement (APLA)
All evidence must be evaluated with reference to the stipulated learning outcomes and assessment criteria against the respective unit(s). The assessor must be satisfied that the evidence produced by the learner meets the assessment standard established by the learning outcome and its related assessment criteria at that particular level.
Most often RPL will be used for units. It is not acceptable to claim for an entire qualification through RPL. Where evidence is assessed to be only sufficient to cover one or more learning outcomes, or to partly meet the need of a learning outcome, then additional assessment methods should be used to generate sufficient evidence to be able to award the learning outcome(s) for the whole unit. This may include a combination of units where applicable.
Successful completion of Level 5 Extended Diploma in Information Technology provides learners the opportunity for a wide range of academic progressions including OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Information Technology.
As this qualification is approved and regulated by Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation), learners are eligible to gain direct entry into Final year of a three-year UK Bachelor’s degree. For more information visit University Progressions page.