CBIT Associate Extended Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 5) with Integrated Real-world Experience

• Build a solid understanding of software engineering principles and practices, essential for any advanced work in the field.
• Develop expertise in the design and implementation of full-stack software solutions, including web and mobile applications.
• Explore and understand complex software design and architectural principles, ensuring you can create robust and scalable software systems.
• Improve your ability to design algorithms and data structures and solve complex software engineering problems efficiently.
• Equip yourself with the skills needed for emerging fields like data science, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, positioning you for future opportunities.
• Delve into specialised areas such as cybersecurity, UI/UX design, and software quality management, broadening your expertise and versatility.
• Get ready for advanced studies or professional roles in software engineering, with a comprehensive skill set that meets industry demands.

Learners who successfully complete the CBIT Associate Extended Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 5) may pursue various career paths, including but not limited to:

• Software Engineer / Developer – build backend services, APIs, and frontend applications.
• Full‑Stack Developer – own end‑to‑end web and mobile solutions.
• DevOps Engineer – automate CI/CD pipelines and manage cloud infrastructure.
• Software Architect – design scalable, maintainable system architectures.
• Quality Assurance Engineer – lead testing strategies and ensure software reliability.
• UI/UX Designer – craft intuitive user interfaces and experiences.

The CBIT Associate Extended Diploma in Software Engineering is equivalent to Level 5 (Undergraduate Level). It equips learners with mastery-level expertise for executive roles or progression to postgraduate study.

CBIT adopts level descriptors that are consistent with those of other recognised awarding bodies and professional organisations.  This approach clearly understands the depth of study and complexity associated with each certification level. Our modules are designed with precise learning outcomes and rigorous assessment criteria, ensuring that learners know what is expected of them. Additionally, these descriptors serve as helpful guides, highlighting the desired learning outcomes while allowing flexibility in the learning process.

There are no formal entry requirements to enrol in the CBIT Associate Extended Diploma in Software Engineering. However, CBIT expect learners to meet the following criteria.

• Learners should be 18 years of age or over.
• The CBIT Associate Extended Diploma is level 5 equivalent, and hence, the learners must be able to complete the programme at this level.
• Learners should have considerable competency in English.

CBIT programmes are designed to enhance learners' skills and knowledge. Upon successfully completing the CBIT Associate Extended Diploma in Software Engineering, learners may wish to continue their personal and professional development by exploring other CBIT programmes, such as the CBIT Advanced Software Engineering programmes, equivalent to Level 7.

All assessments are employer-driven, relevant, practitioner-based, and appropriate for business needs.

Assessments consist of a written assignment and a reflective report for each module, offering an excellent opportunity for in-depth learning. There are no exams involved.

To succeed, learners must thoroughly review the assignment brief and fully understand the requirements before beginning their work. This process not only enhances understanding but also encourages personal reflection and growth. Ultimately, this approach enriches the learning experience and helps learners develop essential skills for the future.

To achieve a ' Pass ' for each module, learners must satisfactorily meet all the requirements specified for the assessment criteria and fulfil all the learning outcomes. 

Grading will be applied to each module as well as to the overall certification.

• Distinction (D) 70% +
• Merit (M) 60-69%
• Pass (P) 40-59%
• Fail (F) 0-39%

The average amount of time that the learners should contribute to complete the CBIT Associate Extended Diploma in Software Engineering is provided below:

• 960 hours of Total Programme Time (typically 12 to 18 months) are needed to study the programme.
• Learners should spend considerable time for completing assessments.

If learners are interested in exploring other programmes within the CBIT Associate in Software Engineering suite, please find them listed below. Choosing a programme that aligns with your career goals and aspirations can help you achieve the progression you desire.

• CBIT Associate Award in Software Engineering (Level 5)
• CBIT Associate Certificate in Software Engineering (Level 5)
• CBIT Associate Diploma in Software Engineering (Level 5)

The projects are carefully designed to immerse students in real-world software engineering challenges. Each project aims to develop your practical coding skills, software architecture understanding, and team-based development experience in a professional setting. Examples of projects include:

Project Management Tool Development

This project focuses on building and enhancing a project management platform similar to Jira. Learners will work on task assignment, sprint planning, and project visibility features while following Agile development methodologies.

Tech Stack

Key Learning Outcomes

• Designing and developing RESTful APIs for full-stack applications.
• Implementing task workflows and sprint planning modules.
• Collaborating on Agile software development processes.
• Building user interfaces for effective project tracking.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Platform

Learners contribute to the development of a CRM system inspired by IDURAR. The platform supports customer lifecycle management, sales tracking, and customer support automation, enhancing business-client interactions.

Tech Stack

Key Learning Outcomes

• Understanding CRM architecture and its core components.
• Building scalable backend APIs and dynamic React frontends.
• Automating customer engagement and support workflows.
• Deploying a real-world CRM system with authentication and roles.

E-Commerce Mobile Application

Learners build a cross-platform e-commerce app using Flutter, delivering a seamless shopping experience with features like user authentication, product catalog, cart management, and secure payments.

Tech Stack

Key Learning Outcomes

• Developing responsive mobile UIs.
• Integrating payment gateways and shopping cart logic.
• Building backend services with NestJS and MongoDB.
• Managing user sessions

Fitness Tracking Application

This project involves developing a fitness tracking app that helps users log workouts, set goals, and track their fitness journey. Real-time data syncing and personalised progress visualisations are central features.

Tech Stack

Key Learning Outcomes

• Cross-platform app development 
• Integrating authentication and real-time data storage.
• Visualising fitness metrics through charts and dashboards.
• Working with health and activity data

During the internship, you will follow a structured learning path that reflects the real-world software development lifecycle. Across projects from web platforms to mobile applications, you will engage in each critical stage of building modern software systems.

1. Sprint Planning and Task Assignment: Begin with Agile sprint planning sessions, where you will break down project requirements into tasks, assign user stories, and set achievable development goals across projects like the Project Management Tool and CRM system.
2. Full-Stack Development: Contribute to the development of responsive web platforms using Django, Next.js, and the MERN stack for the Project Management Tool and CRM Platform. For mobile apps like the E-Commerce and Fitness Tracking applications, work on cross-platform UI and backend logic using Flutter, Dart, NestJS, and Firebase.
3. Code Review and Collaboration: Participate in peer code reviews to improve code quality, readability, and maintainability. Work collaboratively in shared repositories and follow version control best practices.
4. Testing and Staging: Conduct functional and integration testing in staging environments. Ensure stable performance and clean deployment pipelines for features across the CRM, fitness, and e-commerce projects.
5. Final Delivery and Documentation: Prepare your project for final deployment with user-ready documentation. Present your work as part of a simulated development team review, focusing on technical implementation and user functionality.

Throughout the projects, you will have the opportunity to take on various roles within project teams, including:

• Developer: Write and optimise code, ensuring functionality and performance.
• Quality Assurance (QA): Test the software to identify bugs and ensure it meets quality standards.
• UI/UX Designer: Design user interfaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
• Business Analyst: Analyse project requirements and ensure alignment with business goals.
• DevOps Engineer: Manage the software development pipeline, ensuring smooth deployment and integration processes.
• Scrum Master: Facilitate Agile processes, ensuring team collaboration and efficient workflow.
• Product Owner: Oversee the project from a business perspective, prioritising tasks and managing stakeholder expectations.

The programme evaluation process is designed to ensure that learners acquire the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for success in their professional careers. By integrating the live projects evaluation with theoretical components, we provide a holistic approach to learning and development that emphasises both real-world application and academic rigor.

The Project Evaluation is guided by the International Point System, a comprehensive framework that standardises learner performance assessment during live projects. This system not only motivates students to excel but also ensures they are well-prepared for future professional challenges by promoting the completion of key tasks and objectives. The following components are essential for students to qualify for placement and are evaluated rigorously:

• Hacker Rank & Stack Overflow Participation: Students must achieve a score above 1000 on Hacker Rank and contribute by providing 10 answers on Stack Overflow. This fosters problem-solving skills and engagement with the global programming community.
• Project Involvement: Active participation within the selected project is required. Students are expected to present the project and implement CI/CD processes for hosting the project, demonstrating their technical and project management skills.
• Behavior and Attendance: Punctuality, consistent attendance, and active participation in sessions are critical. These aspects reflect the student’s professionalism and commitment to their responsibilities.
• GitHub Maintenance: Students must create and maintain repositories for session topics and projects on GitHub. This requirement ensures they develop skills in version control and collaborative development.
• Community Engagement: Engagement with programming communities on Slack and Discord is encouraged. This not only expands their professional network but also enhances their collaborative and communication skills.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial. Students must demonstrate their ability to convey ideas clearly and professionally in both written and verbal forms.
• Professionalism & Attitude: A positive, respectful demeanor, reliability, and a strong work ethic are essential attributes. These qualities are consistently evaluated throughout the internship period.
• Quality of Work: Delivering accurate, thorough, and high-standard results in all tasks and projects is mandatory. This aspect is critical to ensuring that students produce work that meets industry standards.

In addition to the practical aspects covered in the projects, learners will complete a series of theoretical assessments that align with their learning modules. Each module requires learners to submit a written assignment, report, or mini-project through the MyLearnDirect learning portal. These submissions are carefully assessed by their tutor