MSc in Software Development
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
16 Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
GBP 25,800 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for EU and international
Introduction
The MSc in Software Development is designed in collaboration with industry to provide a year of intensive education in software development and is specifically designed for graduates of non-computing disciplines. It has an extremely high graduate employability rate and is the highest-rated MSc computing course for student satisfaction in the UK.
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.
Many of the course teaching teams have worked in the computing industry and have particular research specialisms in developing novel and effective methods for teaching computing. Several of the team have been awarded student-nominated teaching awards for their work.
You’ll learn how to analyze problems and design robust and elegant software systems to solve the problems. This includes gaining skills in programming, web development, database design, software testing, and software engineering.
You will also have the opportunity to learn how to work as part of a development team using modern development techniques and tools.
Course Structure
The program has two key parts:
- A set of taught modules that build from foundational to advanced topics of software engineering and programming
- A substantial project-based element or three Specialised Mini Project-based modules
The foundational modules are studied in the first semester and cover introductory programming using the Java programming language alongside computing foundations, including software engineering, software testing, and databases.
The second semester concentrates coverage of more advanced algorithmic and object-oriented programming, together with Web programming (PHP and javascript) and Software Engineering (with a team-based project).
Each module generally involves 3-4 hours of lectures per week along with up to 2-3 hours per week for tutorials and lab practicals. Alongside these timetabled activities, students are expected to work on group and individual assignments and projects
Project: You can choose either a single three-month long individual self-directed project or you can take 3 x smaller Mini Projects. The Mini Projects give you a chance to study some state-of-the-art specialisms in computing such as User Experience Design, Secure Softwarized Networks, Data Analysis & Visualisation, Cloud Computing, and Machine Learning
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Applicants are advised to explore fully the funding opportunities for studying in the UK, for example, international students may find funding is available from sources within their own countries.
The funding set out in this section includes funding available from the University and from some external sources. Information provided in this section is intended to highlight some sources of funding: it is not a comprehensive list of funding sources.
Applying for funding which is available from the University is part of an integrated, online, postgraduate admissions process. An offer of a place at Queen’s does not constitute an offer of financial support.
For 2023 entry, Faculties and Schools in the University will be setting their own deadlines for postgraduate applications for admissions, studentships and scholarships. Applicants who wish to apply for postgraduate funding available from the University for 2023 entry should refer to the relevant Faculty and School websites for information.
- The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
- A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas.
Curriculum
Course Structure
The program has two key parts:
- A set of taught modules that build from foundational to advanced topics of software engineering and programming
- A substantial project-based element or three Specialised Mini Project-based modules
The foundational modules are studied in the first semester and cover introductory programming
using the Java programming language alongside computing foundations, including software
engineering, software testing, and databases.
The second semester concentrates on coverage of more advanced algorithmic and object-oriented
programming, together with Web programming (PHP and javascript) and Software Engineering
(with a team-based project).
Each module generally involves 3-4 hours of lectures per week along with up to 2-3 hours per
week for tutorials and lab practicals. Alongside these timetabled activities, students are expected
to work on group and individual assignments and projects
Project: You can choose either a single three-month long individual self-directed project or you can take 3 x smaller Mini Projects. The Mini Projects give you a chance to study some state-of-the-art specialisms in computing such as User Experience Design, Secure Softwarized Networks, Data Analysis & Visualisation, Cloud Computing, and Machine Learning
Modules
- Programming
- Databases
- Software Engineering
- Web Development
- Computing Fundamentals
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities in software engineering are excellent, as evidenced by 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 is strongly valued by IT employers and will help augment the employment opportunities of graduates from this program.
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.