Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 6)
Software Engineering Programs
Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 6)
Overview
Our qualifications in Software Engineerng were designed for the industry and are taught, assessed and verified by local and international industry experts. They are career specific and are aimed to ensure that our students graduate with the cutting-edge vibrant, entrepreneurial skills and solid competencies to satisfy the increasing demanded of the local, regional, international and multinational employers and for self-employment. The qualification level has broader coverage of knowledge and practical skills required for the vocational sector. The qualification has the potential to prepare learners for progression to an appropriate Level 7 programme in the same or related vocational area and for progression to employment in the appropriate vocational sector. Other learners may want to use this qualification to extend the specialism they studied in other NIT programmes.
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Who is this qualification for?
The Level 6 Diploma in Software Engineering is an ideal qualification if you’ve just completed the Level 5 Technical certificate and you want to advance in this career and to achieve any given organizational goals and objectives through effective performance. It is aimed at people who need to develop their Software Engineering skills and achieve a recognized qualification. It is also designed as Software Engineering course for those who aspire to work in Software Engineering. It is also appropriate for up-skilling those individuals who are employed within a role that is predominately Software Engineering. It allows the learner who already has occupational competence within their sector, but is aspiring to enter a role that involves Software Engineering to gain the right level of occupational knowledge in Software Engineering principles. It could be delivered as a standalone qualification or to complement a larger sector or industry specific qualification and learning Programme. If you are interested in any of the following, then this could be the course for you:
- Software Designer
- Software Analyst
- System Application Analyst
- Mobile Application Developer
- Website Developer
- IT Technician supervisor
- IT Software and Application supervisor
- Customer Support Relation Officer
What makes this course special?
This Level 6 Diploma in Software Engineering has been developed to:
- Provide technical-related education and training for those who are intending to work, or who already work, in the Software Engineering role.
- Give learners the opportunity to achieve a Level 6 Diploma in Software Engineering, either to enter employment at supervisory level or to progress to higher professional education qualifications such as Levels 7 to 8 qualifications in Software Engineering or other related fields.
- Give learners the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and competencies relevant to organizational Software Engineering in an applied learning context.
- Give learners the opportunity to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.
- Enable learners to start building the technical skills and knowledge relevant to an industry (or industries) in any sector.
- Provide a qualification which will enable progression to further study, training or employment to enable learners to make informed choices with regard to a career in discipline.
- Develop Software Engineering role technical skills that may be applicable in other work situations or other qualifications.
- Develop their own personal growth and engagement in learning through the development of personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS).
- Have existing skills recognized
Why you must study with NIT?
At National Institute of Technology (NIT), we know how important it is for career ambitious people to get the right education in order to start and further develop their careers.
With today’s industry and employers demanding so much more than just a qualification to contain the effects of global competition and to attain competitive edge, here are the main six (6) reasons why you must choose to study at NIT:
Work Readiness
NIT courses will give you real hands on experience in pursuing your education. It is what is called learning by doing it or action learning. Based on a 70% practical (action learning, action research, projects, reflective thinking, critical thinking, etc.) and 30% theory teaching and learning and assessments methodologies, all the NIT students become work ready (prepared) during their first year of study and graduate with strong work ethics, analytical, problem solving, communication and entrepreneurial skills which are the major factors that employers are looking for in their new recruits.
Employability
NIT’s higher vocational, technical and professional courses prepare students for employment and self-employment. The NIT courses develop a student’s employability skills as they offer the experience of real-life practical tasks and work placements. NIT’s qualifications are generally well-regarded by employers as the courses enable students to develop useful hands-on skills in respective fields of study and in critical areas such as problem solving, time management, entrepreneurial, communication, work behavior, visionary and focus minded, team work, and project planning, execution to evaluation. The knowledge and skills you get from NIT programs will make you be sought after by employers locally and globally. NIT helps students to gain strong knowledge and skills that are essential to start and successfully run their own businesses and/or to be appreciated competent and productive employees that every employer would like to hire.
Relevant
NIT courses are designed and developed with the help of the employers, industrial experts, professional bodies, higher education experts and lecturers. This keeps the NIT curriculum to be industry driven and relevant for today and the future’s job market and self-employment. NIT’s qualifications provide students with industry-specific knowledge, skills and competencies which make graduates’ work outputs to be relevant to their employers’ missions, visions and goals.
Practical Teaching and Assessments
The NIT’s teaching and learning is based on the seven (7) major principles teaching and learning through which theory knowledge is practically applied into various practical teaching and learning methods including action learning, projects supported by verifiable tangible evidences (outcomes), critical reflective thinking, case scenarios, job placements, industrial site visits, public lectures led by industrial experts, etc.
The assessment for NIT courses is largely based on regular coursework and work experience, which makes them an ideal option for those who crumble under the pressure of exams.
All the NIT programs are assessed through objective and rigor based assignments and projects for which origination is examined through the Turnitin IT Application to ensure that each students submits his/her own true work. The outcome of these assignments must be in an implementable practical and quality standard.
Career and Education Progression
Employers value NIT’s qualifications as the courses are industry-centered and directed. In other words, unlike academic programs, the NIT courses give students the industry-specific knowledge and skills which makes them readily employable. This, combined with the problem solving, time management, entrepreneurial, communication, work behavior, visionary and focus minded, team work, and project planning skills they gained throughout their learning process give the NIT graduates a strong competitive edge to progress in senior job positions and to further pursue their postgraduate professional degrees such as Masters to Professional Doctorate Degree programs at various reputable higher education institutions/universities.
The NIT Certificate in Logistics and Transport Operations (Level 4) is also designed to reflect the increasing need for progression onto the high quality professional and technical education at levels 5 to 8 and beyond. These qualifications provide students with a clear career pathway so that they can be empowered to effectively and successfully progress and attain their career goals within the fastest period possible.
Reputation and Prestige
- The industry relevance, practicality, career specific and quality of the NIT qualification will make you to standout and visibly be seen and noticed in a cloud of many academically qualified graduates.
- As more employers expect their new employees to have relevant practical skills and competencies than costly academic knowledge, NIT makes your CV and profile standout.
- NIT is known for stringent quality standards which govern the provision of its higher vocational, technical and professional courses. NIT is also known for its practical, relevance and Industry driven courses.
- The above values, compounded with the work ethics, entrepreneurial and problem solving skills you will learn and practice while studying at NIT will grant you the respect, reputation and prestige within the industry sector you will work.
Qualification Purpose and Aims
The aims and objectives of this qualification are:
- To equip students with the software practice skills, knowledge and the understanding necessary to achieve high performance in the Namibian and global Software Engineering environment.
- To provide insight and understanding into the diversity of roles within the IT Software Engineering sector, recognizing the importance of collaboration at all levels
- To equip students with knowledge and understanding of culturally diverse organizations, cross-cultural issues, diversity and values
- To provide opportunities for students to enter or progress in employment in IT sector, or progress to higher education qualifications such as Bachelor of Technology in IT Software Engineering and other related higher programs such as Software Developer, Web Designer, etc. offered by other accredited higher educational institutions.
- To provide opportunities for students to develop the skills, techniques and personal attributes essential for successful working lives
- To support students to understand the local, regional and global context of IT practice, management and, for those students with a global outlook, to aspire to international career pathways
- To provide students with opportunities to address contemporary IT issues facing the sector, and society at large, with particular emphasis on integrated and compassionate care, and person-centered approaches to providing programming skills to individuals across their lifespan
- To provide opportunities for students to achieve a nationally-recognized professional qualification within their chosen area of specialization
- To offer students the chance of career progression in their chosen field, with particular emphasis on achieving management-level positions, professional recognition and beyond
- To offer a balance between employability skills and the knowledge essential for students with entrepreneurial, employment or academic aspirations
- To provide students with opportunities to engage in an industry-recognized program which aligns with their industry (employer)’s needs and their own career aspirations
- To provide students with the context in which to consider professional ethics and their relation to personal, professional and statutory responsibilities within the industry.
- Enhance student’s transferable skills and knowledge prepare them to meet the changing circumstances, whether within their own area of employment as supervisors, team leaders or managers or to adapt to changes in the IT Service environment and effectively work during the future of the world of work.
- To prepare individuals for furthering their studies with other higher educational institutions such as NUST, UNAM and IUM.
- To develop Namibians with higher technical and professional skills which are essential to contribute towards the alleviation of the growing scarcity of Software Engineering professionals emanating from the advancement of technology and organizations looking for highly qualified, educated, and experienced Software Engineering professionals.
How will I learn?
The NIT tutors/lecturers are equipped with various traditional teaching methods which are all used to create and develop of Vibrant, Skilled, Competent and Work-prepared Entrepreneurial Technicians, Technologists and Professionals. The teaching and learning practices involve 70% practical and 30% theory methodologies by applying a wide range of action learning techniques stipulated in the course specification.
What does the course involve?
You will study a combination of theory, applied theory and practical subjects across a broad range of units. To succeed, your effective time management and focus are both very critical. You will cover twelve (12) units. For each unit, you will do a main test, assignment and an examination in addition to an integrated project. These assessments do not include the informal tests, homework and assignments which your lecturers will require you to do in each learning outcome. To pass this applied qualification, it is critical that constantly monitor, formalize yourself with and operate alongside developments taking place within the Software Engineering sector by regularly visiting Software Engineering organization, reading news and articles related to the sector, etc.
Assessment Methods
The NIT programs are assessed using a combination of:
- Informal Assessments
- Formal Assessments
Informal assessments are conducted by lecturers on each covered component of the unit outcome to weigh knowledge created into his/her students in order that necessary teaching practices adjustments can be made as appropriate.
Formal Assessments are further classified into two parts:
[1] Formal Continuous Assessments which comprise of:
- Major Test
- An Integrated Action Project
[2] Formal Final Assessments which comprise of:
- Major Examination
- Unit Assignments
Accreditations & Recognitions
The Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 6) is recognized by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Pearson BTEC for entry on their respective UK NQF level 3 which is equivalent to Namibian NQF Level 5. It will be accredited by Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and registered with Namibia Training Authority (NTA).
What are the Career Progression Opportunities?
Upon successful completion of all the units or 80% of the units of the Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 6), students can progress to the Bachelor of Technology in Software Engineering (Level 7). No students will, however, be allowed to graduate with Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 6) without first completing the outstanding units at that level.
What are the Articulation Opportunities?
The credit transfers from other programs offered by other institutions or other NIT programs will be dealt with according to NIT rules and regulations on Recognition of Prior Learning. Provided that an applicant has qualification accredited by NQA and verifiable through the NQF, the NIT rules provide for course by course credits as well as credit transfer by volume under certain conditions. Maximum credits that can be granted from none technical (hands-on) programs are 15% of the credits for a qualification. Maximum credits that can be granted from the technical (hands-on) programs of similar standards with those of NIT are 50% of the credits for a qualification.
What career opportunities can this lead to?
The Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 6) is suitable for people working or planning to work in mid-level management job roles such as:
- Programmer
- Analyst Programmer
- Software Engineer
- Support Specialist
- System Analyst
- System Architect
- System Designer
- Web Administrator
- Web Developer
- Senior Applications Engineer
- Software Developer
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst
What are the Fees?
Our different types of fees cover the following:
- Application/Registration Fees
- Tuition Fees
- Assessments Fees (for 2nd Opportunity and External Assessments)
- Other Fees e.g. usage of NUST/UNAM Labs, costs of study manuals, costs of educational and/or industrial site tours, action research practices.
For more information about our fees, please contact any of our Call Centre at any of our Campuses or the Marketing and Public Relationships Department.
Funding Opportunities
There are many funding options for the NIT’s accredited programs. Most of our students have over the past years been funded by their employers while others finance their studies on their own. Students can also apply for study loan with Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund https://www.nasfaf.na/web/guest/students. NIT also provides scholarship and bursaries to students who meet requirements as stipulated in our prospectus.
Withdrawal/Cancellation
Any cancellations/withdraw or refunds are executed in accordance with the institutional policies. For more details, refer to the Students Registration Agreement and the Withdraw Policy.
The Diploma in Software Engineering is a Level 6 qualification made up of twelve (12) units, two thousand, one hundred and forty (2,140) Guided Learning Hours (GLHs) and two hundred and fourteen (214) credits. It is structured to be studied over a period of one year through distance learning, part-time, full-time or blended learning. Plans are underway to offer the program through online learning.
Total Unit/Modules
The following is a compressive list of course modules you will cover in this program:
- 2SE301 Software Testing
- 2SE302 Distributed Software Applications
- 2SE303 Website Design and Development
- 2SE304 Programming
- 2SE305 Database Design and Development
- 2SE306 Computing Mathematics
- 2SE307 Information Technology Systems Troubleshooting and Repair
- 2SE308 Cloud Computing
- 1STU301 Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law
- 1STU302 Applied Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship
- 1STU304 Action Research Methodology
- 1STU305 Specialized Industrial related Work Experience
Work placement/experience requirements
Although there is no specific mandatory element of work placement/experience requirement for the Diploma in Software Engineering(Level 5), students are required to do and pass the 200 GLHs unit in Employability and Professional Work Etiquettes. They are also expected to apply theories learnt through various methods and carryout the practical learning activities as provided specification.
Completion of Study Enrollment Form
Download and complete the Student’s Enrollment Agreement (SEA) form or obtain one from our Call Centre at any of our Campuses, print and complete it and submit it with proof of payment for the stipulated registration fees together to any of our Campuses before the stipulated application deadlines to avoid paying late application/registration fees. To be considered for approval, the completed enrollment agreement form must be accompanied by certified copies of documents as stipulated on the Student’s Enrollment Agreement (SEA) form.
Applicant must ensure that:
- The enrollment agreement form is properly and fully completed and that each page is initialed and signed;
- He/she provides all the required documentations such as certified copies of qualifications, Identity Card/Pass port photos, Supporting letters from employers,
- He/she deposits registration fees into the respective Campus’ Bank Account provided on the enrollment agreement form and submits original copy of the deposit as proof before being issued with an official receipt
- He/she is issued with an official Institutional Receipt, stamped with Official Company Stamp and Signed by the Head of Call Centre for every payment made to the NIT.
- Please note that NIT does not receive cash payments, all payments must be directly into the bank account with student’s number as reference
- He/she obtains a written acknowledge letter confirming that his/her completed enrollment agreement form has been received
- He/she obtains status of his/her application for studies within 30 working days.
- If admitted, an Admission letter issued by the Admission section in the Office of the Registrar, must also be obtained through the respective Campus together with the Time Table, Syllabuses, and any other information.
When can I apply?
NIT has a round circle of accepting new applications from students from all over the world. However, please take note that applications for Semester One which starts in February each year are only considered up to March of each year. This period includes late registration. Unsuccessful applications for Semester one and applications which are received late are considered for the Second Semester which start in July each year.
The following are two (2) annual teaching and learning intakes for students to register to study on this program at NIT:
- February – June
- July – November
Applications must be made in-time to avoid late registration fees and to be disappointed if spaces are allocated to earlier applicants.
What must I have to qualify?
Candidates may be admitted on this program in accordance with the General Admission Requirements of NIT. Specifically, Candidates must meet any of the following requirements:
- Admission on our three (3) years Bachelor of Technology programs is based on a minimum requirement of twenty-five (25) points in grade 12 (now grade 11) in five (5) subjects with an E or better symbol in English. English shall be part of the five (5) subjects you must have completed.
- Admission on our four (4) years Bachelor of Technology programs which includes a one year Certificate (Bridging) Level 4 is based on meeting the minimum requirement of twenty (20) points in Grade 12 in five subjects with a minimum of an E or better symbol in English. English shall be part of the six (6) subjects you must have completed.
- Admission on our four (4) years Bachelor of Technology programs through Mature Age Entry is based on a minimum requirement of twenty six (26) points in Grade 10 (now grade 9) in five subjects with a minimum of E or better symbol in English, age of twenty three (23) years and above, and five (5) years, or above, of working experience in a related field.
Resources for Prospecting Students
Resources for Registered Students
- Students Handbook
- Institutional Calendar
- Learning and Assessments Policies
- Qualifications Specifications
- Assessments Schedules
- Recorded Lessons’ Presentations
- Virtual Classrooms
- Virtual Library
- Virtual Laboratories
- Study Manuals and Books
