How does it work?
When Candidates register to start the ECDL certification process they purchase a Skills Card on which their progress through the seven tests is recorded. Skills Cards may be purchased from any approved Test Centre. Only an approved Test Centre can carry out testing and issue Skills Cards. Approved Test Centres are approved and monitored by ECDL Licensee in each country.

How much training is required?
Usually the Candidate will undertake training on each Module of the syllabus prior to taking the test, although this is not compulsory. The amount of training will depend on the Candidate’s skills levels and the training provider chosen, but the average is around 30 hours of training per Module.

Some Candidates may feel competent enough in one area to forego training and move onto testing immediately, while others may require full training prior to testing. There are various ECDL Foundation approved and Licensee approved training materials (books and computer based training) available so that a Candidate can learn in their own time.

How long are the tests?
Each module is tested separately and each Test generally lasts 45 minutes. The seven tests can be attempted in any order and at any time.

ECDL is unique in that it has been designed to be vendor-neutral. This means that ECDL is not tied to one type of software. It therefore gives Candidates the flexibility and freedom to acquire core ICT skills and confidently apply them in any software environment they may be required to use.

Benefits of ECDL

Today, computer skills are increasingly important to people in all walks of life. ECDL is an information technology certificate for all citizens. It is intended for those who need to, or wish to, know how to use a personal computer. It is suitable for people from every work discipline, for people entering the job market, and for all ages.

Benefits for Candidates:

Increases essential ICT knowlege/skills
Increases confidence in computer use
Provides internationally-recognised qualification
Improves job prospects and job mobility
Provides a platform from which to move on to higher-level ICT education

Benefits for Employers:

Increases productivity
Reduces costs
Increases the quality of employee output
Reduces time wasted
Makes better use of ICT resources
Provides a better return on ICT investment
Syllabus 4.0 and Syllabus 5.0


ECDL Foundation is the leader in skills and knowledge definition for end-user computing certification programmes. Since its initial conception, the ECDL Syllabus has evolved to reflect changes in technology and current users of technology. Syllabus 4.0 is currently being used in all territories.

ECDL Foundation has recently conducted a review of Syllabus 4.0 in order to update it, where necessary, to reflect ongoing advances in technologies and relevant practices. This updated version is called Syllabus 5.0 and is currently being localised for launch by the ECDL / ICDL national operator in your country