INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
Level 4 Diploma in IT - E-Commerce
Launch Your Digital Storefront—Start Your E-commerce Journey
Course Overview
The Level 4 Diploma in E-commerce is an industry-aligned qualification designed to prepare learners for the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of online business. This programme combines foundational IT knowledge with specialized skills in user interface design, mobile programming, and database integration—essential components for building and managing successful e-commerce platforms.
Learners will explore the technical and creative aspects of digital commerce, including systems maintenance, GUI development, and Android programming, gaining the tools to design seamless shopping experiences, enhance digital customer journeys, and contribute to business growth through smart technology use.
Ideal for aspiring web entrepreneurs, digital marketers, or junior e-commerce developers, this diploma equips learners with the skills and confidence to thrive in the global digital marketplace.
Entry Requirements
To enroll in this programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Demonstrate the ability to study at Level 4 through an assessment conducted by the enrolling centre.
Non-native English speakers are required to have an IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent).
International qualifications will be reviewed for UK equivalency where applicable.
Applicants are usually required to submit two references, ideally including at least one academic.
This qualification also supports Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for those with existing knowledge or experience relevant to the course modules.
Qualification Structure
Learners must successfully complete all six units to achieve the Level 4 Diploma in E-commerce, totalling 120 credits.
Core Units:
Information Technology and IT Ethics
• Today ‘s technologies: computers, devices, and the web
• Connecting and communicating online: The Internet, websites, and media
• Microsoft Office Word
• Computers and mobile devices: evaluating options for home and work
• Programs and apps: productivity, graphics, security, and other tools
• Digital security, ethics, and privacy: threats, issues, and defences
• Computing components: processors, memory, the cloud,
• Microsoft Office PowerPoint
• Input and output extending capabilities of computers and mobile devices
• Digital storage preserving content locally and on the cloud
• Operating system managing, coordinating, and monitoring resources
• Microsoft Office Excel
• Communicating digital content wired and wireless networks and devices
• Building solutions database, system, and application development tools
• Catalysts for change
• Introduction to ethics
• Networked communications
• Intellectual property
• Information privacy
• Privacy and the government
• Computer and network security
• Computer reliability
• Professional ethics
• Work and wealth
Mathematics and Statistics for IT
• Functions
• Quadratic equations
• Simultaneous equations
• Indices and logarithms
• Exponential and logarithmic equations
• Coordinate geometry
• Equation of straight line and locus
• Measures of central tendency
• Measures of dispersion
• Permutations and combinations
• Probability
• Probability distribution
• Descriptive and inferential statistics, variables, data types and collection, sampling
• Frequency distribution and presentation of data
• Measures of location
• Measures of dispersion, skewness and coefficient of variation
• Index
• Time series
• Probability
• Discrete probability distribution
• Normal distribution
• Confidence intervals
• Hypothesis testing
• Testing the difference between two means, two proportion
• Correlation and regression
• Chi-squared tests and quality control
PC Maintenance and Operating Systems
• PC hardware components and software requirements
• The operating system
• PC repair
• Form factors and power supplies
• Processor and chipsets
• Motherboard
• Memory
• Hard drives v fixed drives
• Input/output devices
• Multimedia devices and mass storage
• Installing and maintaining operation systems (Windows)
• Supporting and troubleshooting operation systems
• Functions, types and features of operating systems
• Microsoft Windows
• File and printer sharing
• Distribution, strengths and weaknesses of Linux, open sources and GPL
• Installation of Linux
• Operation of Linus
• Using applications in Linux
• Types of shell and fundamental shell command
Computer Graphics Editing and Database Concepts
• The work area, tools, options bar, other panels, customizing documents and
workspace
• Working with selections
• Photoshop
• Photo corrections
• Layers
• Mask and channels
• Typographic design
• Selecting and aligning in Adobe Illustrator
• Creating and editing shapes including techniques to create movement in a graphical
environment
• Transforming objects
• Drawing with pen and pencil tools
• Colour and painting
• Working with type
• Blending colours and shapes
• Preparing files for the web
• Data, information, database management, DMS and DAP
• Relational database
• Database Management System (DBMS)
• Structured Query Language (SQL) – Data Manipulation Language (DML)
• SQL – Data Definition Language (DDL)
• Entity relationship modelling
• Deriving ER Diagrams
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Methods, arguments, values and method overloading
• Classes and objects
• Arrays
• GUI programming
• Layout managers
• NetBeans IDE using GUI Builder
• GUI components
• Graphics
• Mouse event and key event handling
• Advanced GUI applications
Programming Concepts and Java for Android Programming
• Programming language, Java, program development and the Java Development
Toolkit
• Java Development Tool, creating a Java application using console output and using
GUI output
• Data and expressions
• Using classes and objects
• Condition and decision
• Loops and program control
• Method declaration, calling method, and passing parameters to method
• Arrays
• Types of Android API, development tools, Android Studio installation and
configuration and update SDK
• Program structure
• Activities and layouts
• UI components and layout
• Intent and Intent filter
• Themes and styles
• Toast, notification and dialogbox
• Broadcast receiver
• Service
• Persistence storage (file and SQLite)
• Content providers
• Multimedia
• Sensors
• Publishing Android applications
This focused module combination ensures learners gain both technical know-how and creative design capabilities, specifically suited to building and managing e-commerce solutions across multiple platforms.
Key Outcomes
Graduates of this diploma will be able to:
Understand the technical foundations of IT systems and e-commerce platforms.
Design and develop user-friendly digital interfaces for online businesses.
Build and maintain mobile applications and front-end systems for e-commerce use.
Utilize databases and digital graphics to support digital business functions.
Apply best practices in IT ethics, system security, and online user experience.
Communicate effectively with technical teams and business stakeholders.
Manage personal development with a focus on emerging technologies in e-commerce.
Duration and Delivery
This programme is typically completed within one academic year, though duration may vary depending on full-time or part-time study paths.
Delivery formats may include:
In-person or virtual classroom sessions
Interactive workshops and coding labs
Real-world case studies and e-commerce projects
Guided self-paced learning with tutor support.
Assessment and Verification
Assessment methods are designed to evaluate real-world application and theoretical understanding, using a variety of formats such as:
Technical and design-based assignments
Mobile and web development projects
Research and analytical reports
Portfolio submissions and presentations