Games

Software developer

Software developers create and test programs that allow people to complete tasks, run services and use digital devices.

Annual Salary

£30,000 to £75,000

Working hours

37 to 40 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; occasionally

4.3%
Future employment

There will be 4.3% more Software developer jobs in 2029.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

As a software developer, you could:

  • discuss client requirements and potential development ideas
  • work with a technical team to form design plans and timescales
  • write or update computer code
  • test software at each stage or iteration to find and fix problems
  • make sure software meets industry quality standards
  • record changes made, with reasons, at each stage of development
  • complete final checks before a product is released for use
  • maintain and support systems once they're up and running

Working environment

You could work in an office, from home, remotely or at a client's business.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a graduate training scheme
University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or a degree in:

  • computer science
  • information technology
  • software development
  • financial technology
  • software engineering
  • maths

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee position, or to move onto further study. Courses include:

  • computing
  • computer science
  • programming
  • principles of coding
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Software Development Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Software Developer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • DevOps Engineer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Professional L6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Game Programmer Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 4 years to complete. They combine on-the-job training with time spent at a college or other learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Other routes

You may be able to apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an IT company, if you have a degree.

These are often open to graduates of any subject, not just people with a degree in a computing.

More information

Career tips

You could build up your skills and knowledge using online learning resources for:programming languages; project management; software development methods

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in computing from:The Chartered Institute for IT; techskills; GOV.UK

Showing jobs in:
View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could:become a senior developer, leading a team; manage development projects; move into related areas, such as systems design, IT architecture and business systems analysis; set up your own company and work as a consultant

You can find out more about working and training in computing from The Chartered Institute for IT and Tech Future Careers.

Or by looking at the Code23 site

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of systems analysis and development
  • the ability to write computer programs
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
My top 5 skills from the skills bank
Please sign in to compare your skills to this job. Sign in

To save or view your choices and results you must sign in or register (takes 1 minute).

Sign in Register