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Queen's University Belfast

Software Development

This MSc is specifically designed for graduates of non-computing disciplines. This part-time option is taught in the evenings and spread over 3 years to allow you to study while in full-time employment. You may already be in the IT sector, but wish gain a formal qualification to aid career progression. This course is also perfect for school teachers with non-computing backgrounds who want to gain a computing qualification.

COURSE CONTENT
You will learn how to design and create web applications, mobile apps and large data-driven computer systems. You need no computing background at all to do this course, but when you leave, you will be equipped with the technical, analytical and professional skills required to take on a range of roles in the IT industry.

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

WHO WILL BE TEACHING YOU
The lecturing team have particular research specialisms in developing novel and effective methods for teaching computer science. They have extensive publications in this area and have been awarded several student-nominated teaching awards for their work.

WHAT YOU'LL GET UP TO
You'll learn how to analyse problems and design robust and elegant software systems to solve the problems. This includes gaining skills in programming, web development, database design, and software testing.

You will also learn how to work well as part of a development team using modern development techniques and tools.

Entry requirements

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 qualification requirements, all applicants will be required to pass an on-line aptitude test. If you are successful in the first stage of the application process, we will be in touch to organise this.

This is a very popular course and applicants are advised to apply as early as possible, since it may be necessary to implement an application cut-off date. In such circumstances, applications will be considered in date order, with priority given to those submitted earliest and prior to the cut-off date.

Please note: a non-refundable deposit (which will be deducted from tuition fees) of £400 is required.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

3 years part time
Teaching takes place on two evenings per week with approximately 6 to 8 hours of contact time

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
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.

WHERE COULD YOU BE IN 5 YEARS?
You could be working for the largest companies on the planet (IBM, Citi, Allstate, Liberty to name a few). You could be doing cutting edge computer science research in topics such as Cyber security or Video Analytics, or creating a software start-up or the next killer app.

You could also be teaching computing
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Further enquiries

Mr Aidan McGowan
Lecturer (Education), Postgraduate research student
School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - Lecturer (Education)
School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work - Postgraduate research student

aidan.mcgowan@qub.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)28 9097 4935

Subjects taught

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.

Year 1:
Programming
Software Testing

Year 2:
Databases
Software Engineering
Web Development

Year 3:
Software Development Project

Each taught module generally involves approximately 3 hours of contact time in interactive tutorials/computer lab sessions per week along with approximately 2 hours per week of guided online study. Alongside these structured activities, students are expected to work on group and individual assignments and projects.

Project Element
The MSc project will take place during the third year of study and can be taken individually or as part of a team. Supervision will be given by a member of the School's lecturing staff. Where possible, the project will be set by a company who will also provide mentorship during the project. The companies involved may be either industrial partners of the School (which represent potential employers for the students) or a student's actual employer if they have already gained employment in a suitable computing related role.

Comment

Software Development highlights
This course is also available for part-time study.

Industry Links
•They have also developed a series of Employment and Professional Skills Workshops, which the MSc students can voluntarily attend at regular intervals throughout the year. The workshops cover CV writing, Technical Interview Technique, Assessment Centres, etc. and later involve events to allow students to network with representatives from some of the largest employers in the Software Development sector in Belfast. Students get the opportunity to mix with a diverse industrial group, ranging from testers and developers up to senior managerial level staff. Students also have the opportunity to get involved in other industrially sponsored events such as hackathons etc.

Career Development
•The School has a team of staff specifically dedicated for the development of student employability skills alongside technical capabilities. They provide a range of services to help students gain employment during the course, eg one-on-one CV advice and mock job interviews etc.

World Class Facilities
•The new Computer Science Building opened in 2016 after a £14 million re-development. The four-storey, 3,000m2, state-of-the-art facility has large well-equipped computing labs and formal and informal student spaces which support a high level of group and project work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz-o_UmQENM

Assessment method

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

Application date

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Applications for this course, received after 30th June may not be accepted. A deposit will be required to secure a place.

Aptitude tests will be held on multiple dates from January 2019 to May 2019. The specific dates of the tests to be confirmed. Please check this website for updates.