ICT Systems and Principles (7540)

Last Updated: 16 Sep 2022
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.

7540-12 and 7540-13 Systems Support/Systems and Principles are the Technical Certificate qualifications that can also be used as the knowledge component within the IT, Software and Telecoms Apprenticeship Framework. They are based National Occupational Standards (NOS) units with a broad set of industry-recognised certifications from Vendors such as Microsoft and Cisco.

Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals - UCAS tariff

Grade

New Tariff points

P

48





Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems Support UCAS tariff

Grade

New Tariff points

P

32

This qualification is ideal for those working, or interested in working, in ICT in a wide range of roles.
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?

7540-12 and 7540-13 offer the opportunity for you to learn and demonstrate knowledge and skills you have developed for a specific area of ICT, such as:

  • database development
  • website design
  • IT product development
  • network planning and installation
  • programming
  • systems analysis
  • cabling and telecommunications.

Learners will learn on the job in the work environment and/or in the classroom.

Assessment includes workplace or real work evidence and/or vendor certification.

Which level is right for me?

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 progress to the City & Guilds Level 4 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles, the City & Guilds ICT Higher Level Apprenticeship or enter higher education.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications provide the knowledge required to progress in a wide range of ICT roles, including:

  • Database administrator
  • IT product developer
  • Telecommunications technician
  • Systems support desk technician
  • Web designer
  • Software developer
  • Network installation and support technician
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

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

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

While there are no specific eligibility requirements for these qualifications, learners would benefit from undertaking;

  • Level 1 Award in System Support - PC Maintenance (7276) or Level 1 Certificate in ICT Professional Competency (4520) before progressing to the Level 2 Systems Support or Systems and Principles qualifications (7540-12)
  • Level 2 Systems Support or Systems and Principles qualifications (7540-12) or Level 2 Diploma in ICT Professional Competency (4520) before progressing to the Level 3 Systems Support or Systems and Principles qualifications (7540-13)

Level 2

7540-12 System Support or Systems and Principles qualifications are ideal for those looking to work, or starting out as a systems analyst, system support technician, web designer or software developer.

7540-02 has now been replaced by City & Guilds' Level 2 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (4520-02).

What Careers Can This Lead To?

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

  • Database administrator
  • IT product developer
  • Telecommunications technician
  • Systems support desk technician
  • Web designer
  • Software developer.
Level 2 ICT Systems and Principles (7540-12)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 Award in ICT Systems and Principles

  • Accreditation No: 500/3475/3 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: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 100 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 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: £77.00 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 2 Diploma in ICT Systems Support

  • Accreditation No: 501/1430/X 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: 37 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 250 - 275 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 370 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: £128.90 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 2 Certificate in ICT Systems Support

  • Accreditation No: 501/1623/X 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: 27 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 170 - 240 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 270 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: £128.90 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 2 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals

  • Accreditation No: 501/1859/6 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: 37 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 220 - 320 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 370 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: £146.20 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

One or more pathways within this qualification has been approved by the DfE to appear in the 2016 Performance Tables. To review the qualifications approved please click here.

7540-13 System Support or Systems and Principles qualifications provide the knowledge that is ideal for those looking to progress in their career or learn new ICT skills. It is also appropriate for those looking to go further with their education on a City & Guilds Level 4 ICT qualification or Higher Level Apprenticeship or higher education.

7540-03 has now been replaced by City & Guilds' Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (4520-03).

What Careers Can This Lead To?

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

  • Database administrator
  • IT product developer
  • Telecommunications technician
  • Systems support desk technician
  • Web designer
  • Software developer.
Level 3 in ICT Systems and Principles (7540-13)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles

  • Accreditation No: 500/3476/5 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: 24 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 95 - 225 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 240 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: £104.90 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 Diploma for ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals

  • Accreditation No: 501/0277/1 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: 315 - 590 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: £269.80 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 Diploma in ICT Systems Support

  • Accreditation No: 501/1585/6 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: 489 - 540 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: £200.60 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. 

7540 Level 2

Assessment materials

Centre documents

7540 Level 3

Assessment materials

Centre documents

Assessment materials

Centre documents

Purpose and Recognition

16-19

Purpose

Recognition

19 Plus

Purpose

Explore our wider maths & English offer

Our maths & English qualifications underpin our apprenticeships and technical qualifications. They build learners’ confidence with the core skills required for employment, including the capacity to problem solve and use technology effectively. They are also key to triggering conditions of funding.

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For Learners

Related Qualifications

Browse some of our related qualifications:

> (3668) Communications Cabling

> (3667) Communications Cabling and Networks

> (3660) Cyber Security Knowledge Qualifications

> (4520) ICT Professional Competence

> (7630) ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals

> (7276) IT Professional

> (2730) Telecommunication Systems

See more related qualifications >