Software Development

Overview

The MSc in Software Development is designed in collaboration with industry to provide an intensive education experience in software development and is specifically designed for graduates of non-computing disciplines. It has an extremely high graduate employability rate and is consistently one of the highest rated MSc computing courses for student satisfaction in the UK.



This part-time option is taught in the evenings (one to two evenings a week per semester) and spread over 3 years to allow you to study while in full-time employment. The course can be completed entirely online, with our innovative live online lectures and interactive lab sessions. All learning materials are hosted on our virtual learning environment, in addition to pre-recorded bite-sized lecture content videos (available before each lecture), feedback quizzes to check your progress, as well as individual support from our lecturers and tutors. You can also optionally attend our on-campus labs on the teaching nights for additional tutor support or if you need a quiet environment to work in.



You also have the option of completing in 2 years. A dissertation project or specialised Distance Learning modules can be commenced in the third semester of the second year of the course, once all the taught modules are successfully completed. The project or Distance Learning modules must be undertaken full time to enable successful completion in that semester.



Course Content:

You will learn the foundations of computing and acquire industry relevant skills. These core skills include programming, databases, web development, software engineering and problem solving. You need no computing background at all to do this course, but on successful completion, you will be equipped with the technical, analytical and professional skills required to take on a range of roles in the computing industry.



The curriculum was designed and is continually reviewed in collaboration with significant industrial partners, who helped ensure the most relevant module content. This helps ensure that our graduates are highly trained and much sought after by employers.



Course Structure

The programme has two key parts:

A set of taught modules which build from foundational to advanced topics of software engineering and programming.



A substantial individual project.



Modules

Year 1:

Programming

Computing Fundamentals



Year 2:

Databases

Software Engineering

Web Development



Year 3: (or completed fulltime in fast track in Full Time mode Semester 3 of year 2)

A substantial project based element



The foundational modules are studied in the first year and cover introductory programming using the Java programming language and progressing to advanced algorithmic and object-oriented programming. This runs alongside the computing foundations module which includes foundation knowledge of computing including an introduction to software engineering and software testing.

The second year concentrates coverage on Web programming (php and javascript) and Software Engineering (with a team based project) and Databases.



Alongside these structured activities, students are expected to work on group and individual assignments and projects.



Project: Three-month projects are taken individually (in part time mode) or if you choose to go full time at the end of semester two, year 2 then you have the option to study Mini Project modules, which are constantly updated giving you a opportunity to study some specialisms in computing such as Machine Learning, Software Design patterns etc. The DL modules on offer are updated each year to reflect industry trends.



Project Element

The MSc project will take place during the third year of study.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.



Year 1

Core Modules

• Computing Foundations (20 credits)

• Programming (40 credits)



Year 2

Core Modules

• Web Development (20 credits)

• Software Engineering (20 credits)

• Databases (20 credits)

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline excluding Computer Science or other similar Computing degree.



In addition to the above entry requirements, all applicants will be required to pass an online aptitude test. If you are successful in the first stage of the application process, we will be in touch to organise this.



Applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements may be considered for admission under Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL). Please visit the link below for more information.

http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 30th June 2025 for courses which commence in late September.



In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder.



Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.



Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

Each module has its own blend of assessments which cover the full range learning outcomes for the module. This can include:

Computer-based tests

Individual or group projects

Practical programming tests

3 years (Part Time).



Teaching Times

Teaching takes place on two evenings per week with approximately 6 hours of timetabled activity each week.

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

Employment opportunities in software engineering are excellent, as evidenced through the consistent and continued growth of the software sector. A career within the profession is not only well remunerated but also rewarding, with software professionals able to select between a range of career progression paths. Given the diversity of careers, the variety of skills gained from a non-IT primary degree are strongly valued by IT employers and will help augment the employment opportunities of graduates from this programme.