How long is the Diploma in Software Testing?

The Diploma in Software Testing runs 9 to 12 months across all three study modes. The Diploma in Software Testing includes an assessed portfolio in the final block.

Can I study the Diploma in Software Testing online?

Yes. The Diploma in Software Testing is available on-campus, online or by distance learning, with the same tutor-visible cohort and remote CI environment access.

Is this Diploma UK recognised?

The Diploma in Software Testing is a UK Level 4 qualification aligned with BCS practitioner themes and Institute of Coding standards, and articulates into Advanced Diploma and Higher Diploma routes.

What are the entry requirements?

A relevant Certificate, A-levels or two years of relevant employment, plus GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C, or IELTS 5.5 overall for non-native speakers.

How much does the Diploma cost?

Fees are quoted per intake with instalment plans available. LSCE admissions reviews scholarship and employer-sponsorship options for the Diploma in Software Testing at application.

Diploma in Software Testing | LSCE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Diploma in Software Testing is a UK Level 4 practitioner Diploma that runs nine to twelve months across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes. The programme is designed for practitioners building applied foundations in test engineering, quality assurance and modern automation frameworks, and cohorts progress together with weekly tutor visibility, structured critique and formative feedback across every module. Delivery is aligned to UK professional-body standards including BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT), Institute of Coding, CompTIA, and the syllabus draws on current practice inside the software and computing community across London and the wider UK.

By the end of the Diploma in Software Testing you will be able to design a risk-based test plan; automate UI tests with Playwright or Cypress; run API testing with Postman and REST-assured; operate a CI pipeline with test gates; produce a defect analysis report. Assessment blends coursework, applied artefacts and a closing project, capstone or dissertation depending on the level, and marks are moderated to UK Level 4 standards. Every module includes reflective practice and structured written communication, so graduates leave the programme with a portfolio of assessed work that stands up to external professional review.

Key Features

Practitioner diploma taught in small tutor-visible cohorts at the LSCE central London campus, online with provisioned lab access, or by distance learning.
Syllabus mapped to BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) and Institute of Coding technical guidance for the software and computing discipline, and refreshed each intake against sector expectations.
Weekly clinics, code, design and critique reviews run by a named programme tutor with cohort-wide feedback and one-to-one time.
Careers-service introductions to Silicon Roundabout, Kings Cross scale-ups, BCS London seminars and the London Node and Python meetups during the taught stage, with warm handovers into placement or graduate roles.
Three parallel study modes so applicants can complete the Diploma in Software Testing around work, family and international relocation timelines.
LSCE positions Software Testing learners close to London software delivery teams and BCS Testing Specialist Group events across the year.
Alumni network extending into UK software and computing employers for mentoring, referrals and continued career support after graduation.

What You Will Learn

Design risk-based test plans mapped to requirements and user journeys.
Write manual test cases and structured exploratory testing sessions.
Automate UI tests using Playwright, Cypress or Selenium WebDriver.
Run API testing with Postman, REST-assured and contract testing tools.
Operate CI pipelines with GitHub Actions or Jenkins including test gates.
Apply ISTQB Foundation-level terminology in professional practice.
Produce structured defect analysis and regression reporting.
Follow BCS professional standards and CompTIA quality guidance.

Who This Course Is For

Junior testers moving into applied quality engineering.
Developers formalising their testing practice.
Support engineers cross-training into structured QA roles.
International applicants seeking a UK-referenced Level 4 testing qualification.
Career changers entering technology through a quality-focused route.

Career Pathways

QA Analyst
Test Automation Engineer
Junior Test Engineer
SDET trainee
Quality Engineer
Manual Tester moving to automation
Support Engineer moving to QA

The LSCE careers service supports graduates of the Diploma in Software Testing with structured CV and portfolio reviews, application coaching for software and computing employers, and warm introductions across its London industry network. Every student is matched with one-to-one careers time in the final stage of study, and alumni continue to receive job-alert access, senior-role introductions and application coaching after graduation.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Certificate, A-levels, or an accepted equivalent qualification, or two years of relevant employment.
GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C, or an accepted equivalent.
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers.
One reference from an academic tutor or professional supervisor.
A short statement of intent with a paragraph on your career direction.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and international applicants receive dedicated visa, accommodation and English-language guidance alongside the academic decision.

Why Study at LSCE

The London School of Computing and Engineering is a specialist division of Harold International College of London teaching in small tutor-visible cohorts. LSCE partners with UK professional bodies including BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) and CompTIA, and the central London campus places students within a short tube ride of Silicon Roundabout, Kings Cross scale-ups, BCS London seminars and the London Node and Python meetups. This proximity to the software and computing community means guest speakers, placement conversations and industry-attended review boards are routine rather than exceptional.

Every intake joins the same weekly seminar structure with named programme-tutor support, whether the applicant chooses on-campus, fully online with provisioned lab access, or distance learning with the same remote provisioning. Three parallel study modes make the Diploma in Software Testing accessible around work, family and international relocation timelines, and the careers service maintains a working contact book across UK employers in the software and computing sector to support progression at graduation.

Students at LSCE also benefit from the wider Harold International College resources, including a shared library, careers-service connections and elective-module access across the college programme catalogue subject to availability. Applicants routinely combine the LSCE cohort experience with London professional-body events, regional meet-ups and employer-hosted evenings, so the UK sector network is visible from induction onwards rather than only at graduation.

Apply for Diploma in Software Testing

Start your Level 4 qualification with LSCE. Click Enrol Now and admissions will respond within one working day with intake dates and credit-transfer guidance. Whether you are applying from the UK or from another country, admissions responds within one working day with intake dates, payment options and any credit-transfer or scholarship guidance relevant to the Diploma in Software Testing. Rolling intake dates mean early applications receive the widest choice of module electives, supervisors and supporting information. Enrol Now