What to do after National Diploma in Engineering: Computer Systems

[GrantM89]

Hi Guys,

I have been fighting with myself for the last few years on what exactly to study and I ended up doing my National Diploma in Computer Systems Engineering at CPUT. I am currently working full-time and plan to carry on doing so and will need to study part-time. I work as a Network Engineer and love Networking and plan to go into ISP Backbone Networks. I am working towards my Cisco CCIE certification.

The reason I went with this National Diploma is because I did not have Matric Exemption (stupidity while in High School). I have now completed my National Diploma but still feel a bit "Under Educated". I like studying and actually would like to study further.

I would love to do BSc Computer Science or Computer Engineering. I would like to know from you guys what would be my best options for moving forward. A BEng is not offered part-time so that is out of the question.

I could go do my BTech in Computer Systems at UNISA but i feel that would not benefit me quite the same way that a BSc in Computer Science would. There is the obvious issue now that I do not want to start from scratch and do a BSc part-time for what will probably end up 5 years, making my 3 years of National Diploma studies feel like a waste of time. I guess I could go with BTech and then try get into BSc (Hons) somewhere.

So do you guys have any suggestions for me? Surely my National Diploma, work experience and Cisco certifications need to clear up quite a bit of a BSc, leaving me with say only 1 and a half years to complete it.

Here is a link to the course and subjects i did:

http://www.cput.ac.za/academic/facu...course?i=333&seo=TkQ6IENPTVBVVEVSIFNZU1RFTVM=

Thanks!
Grant

 

[ChocolateBadger]

I would talk to a student adviser about what is and is not possible with your qualification. I also would suggest you keep studying.

 

[manbearpig]

I don't think a national diploma will cover anything in the Bsc course. It's not at the same level.

 

[ponder]

Surely my National Diploma, work experience and Cisco certifications need to clear up quite a bit of a BSc, leaving me with say only 1 and a half years to complete it.

Nah, not gonna happen.

Why not do a btech as it will be quicker, giving you a higher nqf rating. You can always do more after that if you so wish.