ICT Professional Competence (4520)

Last Updated: 03 Aug 2023
Important: please see the ‘Replacement Unit Mapping May 2022’ document under ‘Centre documents’ on the DOCUMENTS page for details of vendor and programming-specific units that have been removed, and their generic alternatives that are available in their place.

These comprehensive qualifications are ideal for anyone looking for a career in ICT, wishing to improve their professional ability or hoping to progress in their role. You can choose the skills and knowledge you require to specialise in anything from office equipment servicing to software development and games design.

ICT Professional Competence Level 2 to 4 are part of the IT, Software and Telecoms Apprenticeship Framework.
Anyone wishing to develop their ICT competency; from those just starting out in the industry to those in senior management roles. You could be working within the ICT sector, or providing IT support or strategy in any other sector.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

You can choose the qualification that demonstrates the specialist knowledge and skills you have developed for a wide range of roles including:

  • Systems analyst
  • Telecommunications technician
  • Internet/Web professional
  • Senior system support technician
  • Web master/Senior designer
  • Lead software developer including games designer.

You will learn on the job in the work environment.

Assessment will also take place in the workplace and could include:

  • E-assessment
  • Multiple choice examination
  • Portfolio of evidence
  • Practical demonstration/Assignment
  • Task-based controlled assessment.

Which level is right for me?

Level 1
Designed for those in their first professional role, or hoping for a career in ICT. It is also ideal as part of a Foundation Learning  or Work Ready programme.

Level 2
Ideal for those looking to work, or starting out, as a systems analyst, system support technician, web designer or software developer.

Level 3
Ideal for those looking to progress in their career or to learn new ICT skills. It is also appropriate for those looking to enter higher education.

Level 4
This higher level qualification has been developed for those leading on projects in areas such as systems support and development. It is also appropriate for those working towards a
Foundation Degree or First Degree.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress in a wide range of ICT roles including:

  • Database administrator
  • Internet/Web professional
  • IT Product developer
  • IT Technical sales specialist
  • IT Trainer
  • Multimedia designer
  • Network manager
  • Office equipment service technician
  • Software developer/Programmer
  • Systems analyst
  • Telecommunications technician.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

Centres currently offering the IT Practitioners (e-Quals 07) (7266), ICT Professional Competence Apprenticeship (7540) or NVQ in IT Practitioners/Professionals (4324) can gain fast-track approval

There are no formal eligibility requirements for any of these four qualifications. Level 2 candidates will benefit from having completed a relevant qualification such as the City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in ICT Professional Competence or Level 1 Award in ICT Systems Support - PC Maintenance.

Candidates embarking on the Level 3 qualification would benefit from having achieved one of the following qualifications: Level 2 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence, Level 2 Award/Certificate/Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles, Level 2 Certificate in Digital Home Integration Technology, or the Level 2 Award in Communications Cabling.

Level 4 candidates will find that having completed one of the following qualifications will be of benefit: Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence, Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles, or the Level 3 Certificate in Communications Cabling.

To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

Level 2

Level 2 is ideal for those looking to work as, or starting out as, a systems analyst, system support technician, web designer or software developer.

This qualification comprises two mandatory units and a wide range of optional units selected to meet national occupational standards or specific vendor requirements:

  • Software development
  • Networking
  • Hardware
  • Games development
  • Web development
  • Data analysis
  • Software design
  • Project management
  • IT User
  • Microsoft
  • Cisco
  • VMWARE
  • CompTIA
  • CIW
  • Oracle
  • Linux.
What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress in a wide range of ICT roles including:

  • Database administrator
  • Internet/Web professional
  • IT Product developer
  • IT Technical sales specialist
  • IT Trainer
  • Multimedia designer
  • Network manager
  • Office equipment service technician
  • Software developer/Programmer
  • Systems analyst
  • Telecommunications technician.
Level 2 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (4520-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 2 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence

  • Accreditation No: 501/1789/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 48 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 270 - 355 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 480 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £110.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 is ideal for those looking to progress in their career or to learn new ICT skills. It is also appropriate for those looking to enter higher education.

This qualification comprises two mandatory units and a wide range of optional units selected to meet national occupational standards or specific vendor requirements:

  • Software development
  • Networking
  • Hardware
  • Games development
  • Web development
  • Data analysis
  • Software design
  • Project management
  • IT User
  • Microsoft
  • Cisco
  • VMWARE
  • CompTIA
  • CIW
  • Oracle
  • Linux.
What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress in a wide range of ICT roles including:

  • Database administrator
  • Internet/Web professional
  • IT Product developer
  • IT Technical sales specialist
  • IT Trainer
  • Multimedia designer
  • Network manager
  • Office equipment service technician
  • Software developer/Programmer
  • Systems analyst
  • Telecommunications technician.
Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (4520-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence

  • Accreditation No: 501/1788/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 72 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 525 - 565 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 720 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £148.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 4

This higher level qualification has been developed for those leading on projects in areas such as systems support and development, and for those working towards a Foundation or First Degree.

This qualification comprises two mandatory units and a wide range of optional units selected to meet national occupational standards or specific vendor requirements:

  • Software development
  • Networking
  • Hardware
  • Games development
  • Web development
  • Data analysis
  • Software design
  • Project management
  • IT User
  • Microsoft
  • Cisco
  • VMWARE
  • CompTIA
  • CIW
  • Oracle
  • Linux.
What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress in a wide range of ICT roles including:

  • Database administrator
  • Internet/Web professional
  • IT Product developer
  • IT Technical sales specialist
  • IT Trainer
  • Multimedia designer
  • Network manager
  • Office equipment service technician
  • Software developer/Programmer
  • Systems analyst
  • Telecommunications technician.
Level 4 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (4520-04)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 4 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence

  • Accreditation No: 501/1787/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 80 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 525 - 565 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 800 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £183.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Additional information for centres

Learning Assistant

LEARNING ASSISTANT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

Learning Assistant is an innovative and cost effective e-portfolio solution that allows colleges and training providers to dramatically improve the delivery of their vocational qualifications.

Learn more about Learning Assistant >

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

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> (3668) Communications Cabling

> (3667) Communications Cabling and Networks

> (3660) Cyber Security Knowledge Qualifications

> (7540) ICT Systems and Principles

> (7630) ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals

> (7276) IT Professional

> (2730) Telecommunication Systems

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