BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills (ICDL Advanced)
Show employers you’ve got the digital skills they need.
Whether you’re looking for a new job or hoping to take a step up where you work, adding a digital qualification to your CV is sure to help you reach your goal.
The BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills allows you to build on your existing digital knowledge and become an expert user of the software applications that are essential in every business today.
And thanks to the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, you can now gain this qualification for FREE - with full funding available for anyone who doesn’t already hold an A-level or other full level 3 qualification, or for those who already hold a Level 3 qualification and are unemployed or on the minimum wage.
If you are looking to become an expert in one digital literacy area, individual units are certified but carries no funding, please speak to an approved BCS centre who can provide more information.
Get the digital credentials you need to open new doors in your career and start applying with confidence for those vacancies that ask for “A-level or equivalent qualifications”.
The workplace is changing - are you?
Be the Office expert employers need and get qualified for free - learn more by watching the video below.
Other reasons to take this course
Train for free at one of our BCS-approved and regulated training centres, located across the UK
Gain 24 UCAS points to put towards university entry and other higher education routes
Discover ways to work more effectively and productively with the IT software that you use every day
A closer look at the BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills
Who is it for?
- Anyone who uses digital applications in their day-to-day role
- Employees looking to become a cross-departmental expert
- Job seekers and people returning to the workplace after time away
- Learners who want to progress from level 2 qualifications like ICDL
- Adults who live and work in the UK
What's covered?
- Word processing
- Presentation software
- Spreadsheets
- Databases
- Productivity in IT
Are there any entry requirements?
No, anyone can take this qualification but ideally you’ll have prior experience working with digital office applications.
Am I eligible for funding?
Aged 24 and over: as long as you meet the funding criteria above, you’ll receive full funding from the Government under their Lifetime Skills Guarantee - announced by the Prime Minister in September 2020, effective since April 2021 and received through the National Skills Fund.
Aged 19 to 23: you’ll receive full funding for your first full level 3 qualification from the Adult Education Budget, and for any additional qualifications made available through this offer.
Full funding means that your training and qualification won’t cost you a penny. All you need to do is contact your local BCS centre and ask about funded digital qualifications from BCS.
More FAQs
Find a BCS training centre to locate your nearest BCS approved centre and contact them for more information about the BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills (ICDL Advanced).
The number of guided learning hours recommended for this qualification is 220. Your local training centre will be able to tell you more about their learning programme.
Learning resources and assessments are available online so yes, it is possible to take this qualification remotely. Your local training centre will be able to give you more information about your options.
As long as you meet the funding criteria under the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, your training course and qualification will be completely free. Other funding routes are also available in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Ask your local BCS training centre for the details.
Yes, on successful completion of the training and qualification, you’ll receive an Ofqual-regulated level 3 certificate from the awarding organisation - that’s us, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
You may be eligible to apply for BCS professional membership at a reduced rate. Please contact customerservice@bcs.uk for further information
If you’re unable to find a local training provider delivering this qualification, please let us know by completing this short form. If there’s sufficient interest to enable us to run the course locally to you, we’ll be in touch to let you know.
*This offer applies to first-time BCS members. Free membership is applicable for your first year as a BCS member only.
