How long is the Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA?

The Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA runs 15 to 18 months. The Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA includes a QA capstone in the final block.

Can the Higher Diploma be studied online?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA is delivered on-campus, online or by distance learning, with remote CI environments and lab access.

Is this qualification UK recognised?

The Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA is a UK Level 5 qualification aligned with BCS practitioner themes and Institute of Coding standards, and articulates into a UK Bachelor's top-up.

What are the entry requirements?

An Advanced Diploma, HNC/HND or three years of relevant QA experience, plus GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C, or IELTS 6.0 overall for non-native speakers.

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

Higher Diploma Software Testing & QA | LSCE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA is a UK Level 5 with a Bachelors top-up route Higher Diploma that runs fifteen to eighteen months across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes. The programme is designed for practitioners and mid-career testers articulating into graduate-level responsibility for test engineering, automation architecture and quality leadership, 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 Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA you will be able to design a test automation architecture; run performance and load testing; operate CI/CD test gates; produce a quality strategy; articulate into a Bachelors top-up in Software Engineering. Assessment blends coursework, applied artefacts and a closing project, capstone or dissertation depending on the level, and marks are moderated to UK Level 5 with a Bachelors top-up route 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

Higher 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 Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA around work, family and international relocation timelines.
LSCE places Software Testing and QA learners close to BCS Testing Specialist Group meetings and London-region software delivery teams.
Alumni network extending into UK software and computing employers for mentoring, referrals and continued career support after graduation.

What You Will Learn

Design test automation architectures across UI, API and unit layers.
Run performance and load testing with JMeter, k6 and Gatling.
Operate CI/CD pipelines with test gates in GitHub Actions and Jenkins.
Produce a quality strategy aligned with organisational risk.
Apply ISTQB Advanced Test Manager and Test Automation Engineer syllabi.
Configure test data management and environment provisioning.
Reference BCS Testing Specialist Group guidance in professional practice.
Prepare an articulation portfolio for a Bachelors top-up in Software Engineering.

Who This Course Is For

Testers moving into senior test engineering responsibility.
Developers cross-training into structured quality engineering.
Test leads formalising their design authority.
International applicants entering the UK testing market.
Working professionals combining part-time study with employer sponsorship.

Career Pathways

Senior Test Engineer
Test Automation Architect
QA Lead
SDET
Performance Test Engineer
Quality Engineering Manager
DevOps Test Engineer

The LSCE careers service supports graduates of the Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA 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 Advanced Diploma (Level 5), HNC or HND, Foundation Degree, or three years of relevant professional experience.
GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C, or an accepted equivalent.
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
One reference from an academic tutor or professional supervisor.
A confirmed articulation route into an LSCE Bachelors top-up, with a letter of guarantee issued at enrolment.

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 Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA 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 Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA

Complete the technician-to-graduate articulation track with LSCE. Click Enrol Now and admissions will respond within one working day with your Bachelors top-up plan. 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 Higher Diploma in Software Testing & QA. Rolling intake dates mean early applications receive the widest choice of module electives, supervisors and supporting information. Enrol Now