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Software developer
Hours
30-40 per week
Starting salary
£20,000 + a year
If you are keen on computing and enjoy design and development, this job could be ideal for you.
You will normally need a degree, foundation degree or BTEC HNC/HND to become a software developer. If you do not have an IT-related degree, you may be able to find a place on a graduate trainee scheme.
To become a software developer, you will need to have a creative approach to problem-solving. You’ll also need to be able to follow technical plans. Excellent communication and customer care skills are also important.
WorkDesc
The work
Software developers (also known as programmers) design and build computer programs that help organisations and equipment work effectively.
As a software developer, your work could involve:
- designing computer controls for industrial and manufacturing machinery
- building administrative and financial databases
- developing software for home entertainment equipment (known as embedded controls).
You would work closely with senior programmers and business analysts, and create technical plans to meet the needs of the client.
A typical project would include:
- programming a test version of a piece of software
- testing installation and compatibility issues
- checking test results and fixing technical problems (known as bugs)
- installing a full version and carrying out final checks before going ‘live’
- maintaining and supporting systems once they are up and running.
You may write computer programs from the beginning, or amend existing programs to meet the needs of the project.
You could work with a range of web-based technologies, and you would need to understand how databases integrate with these systems.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would work between 37 and 40 hours a week. You may be required to do overtime and weekend work to meet deadlines or to minimise disruption to a client's business.
You would mainly be based at an office but you may have to travel to meet clients. Some projects may involve overnight stays away from home.
IncomeDesc
Income
Starting salaries for graduates can be between £20,000 and £26,000 a year.
Experienced developers can earn between £28,000 and £40,000, and software developers with management responsibilities can earn over £50,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You will normally need a degree, foundation degree or BTEC HNC/HND to become a software developer. You could choose from a variety of subjects, including:
- computer science/studies
- information technology
- software development
- software engineering
- business information systems.
If you do not have an IT-related degree, you may still be able to find a place on a graduate trainee scheme, as larger employers often accept graduates in any subject. You could study for a postgraduate IT conversion qualification, although this is not essential.
Several universities are now offering the Information Technology Management for Business (ITMB) degree. The degree, which was developed by e-skills UK and major employers, combines both IT and business skills, such as project management and business thinking.
Experience in IT or a related area can be useful. You can gain experience through work placements, internships or a year in industry.
You will also need a working knowledge of the main programming languages and operating systems used, for example:
- SQL, Java, C++, XML, Smalltalk and Visual Basic
- Oracle, UML (Unified Modelling Language), Linux and Delphi
- .NET frameworks (such as C# (C-sharp), ASP and VB).
Visit the developer.com website for information and links to resources relating to programming languages.
For more information about careers in the IT sector, see the following websites.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are working, you could develop your career by taking professional qualifications, such as:
- e-skills UK Professional Programme
- British Computer Society Certificate, Diploma and Professional Graduate Diploma
- Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS) programmes
- Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP) programmes.
You could also take training courses offered by software development companies. Examples include:
- Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) and Certified Applications Developer (MCAD)
- Sun Microsystems Java Certified Programmer (SCJP) and Developer (SCJD)
- Oracle PL/SQL Developer (databases).
Another option would be to take a postgraduate qualification to specialise in a specific branch of IT or computer science, for example Artificial Intelligence. See the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website to find out what courses are available.
The National Skills Academy for IT
The National Skills Academy for IT was created by employers to promote excellence in IT learning and development. Through the Academy, you can:
- get the best access to high quality IT training and resources
- define and access new training to meet growing needs
- gain professional recognition and speed up your career progression.
The National Skills Academy for IT lists over 1000 online courses, including courses relating to software development. See the website for details.
You can also find out more about professional development options on the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) website.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To become a software developer, you will need to have:
- a good knowledge of hardware, software and programming languages
- the ability to interpret and follow technical plans
- a creative approach to problem-solving
- an understanding of Computer Aided (Assisted) Software Engineering (CASE) tools
- excellent communication and customer care skills
- the ability to work with people at all levels, including non-technical staff
- good project management skills
- the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- good teamwork skills
- an appreciation of the client's business needs
- an understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Oracle 
www.oracle.com
Microsoft UK
www.microsoft.com/uk
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
www.sfia.org.uk
e-skills UK
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
0207 963 8920
www.e-skills.com
British Computer Society
Block D
North Star House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1FA
www.bcs.org.uk
Institution of Analysts and Programmers
Charles House
36 Culmington Road
London
W13 9NH
Tel: 020 8567 2118
www.iap.org.uk
Institute for the Management of Information Systems
5 Kingfisher House
New Mill Road
Orpington
Kent
BR5 3QG
Tel: 0700 002 3456
www.imis.org.uk
National Skills Academy for IT
www.itskillsacademy.ac.uk/
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You can find work as a software developer in a wide range of businesses and industries, public services, utilities, defence and research.
With experience, you could become a senior developer with responsibility for project management, planning and research, or move into related areas, such as systems design, IT architecture and business systems analysis.
You could also set up your own business and work as a sub-contractor or consultant.
You may find the following useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in new windows):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The IT industry includes people in IT companies, such as those offering IT services, technology‐orientated consulting, technology development, systems analysis, programming, systems testing and technology sales. It also includes IT professionals working in other sectors, such as people whose primary job role is IT orientated, which includes IT departments and IT support staff in companies. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by e‐skills UK Sector Skills Council.
A sector trend is the convergence of telecommunications, computing and networking and the move from hardware intensive to software intensive platforms. Embedded voice communications capability is already part of the internet, which also has to manage voice, data and video and location information.
The social, economic and market forces shaping UK IT skills are evolving as technology continues to progress from the back office to the board room. This is changing the market for IT skills, creating demand for both technology‐oriented business people and business‐oriented technologists – and blurring the lines between traditional business and IT disciplines.
Key facts:
- There is a total IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million of which:
- 890,000 people are in IT and Telecoms products and services
- 600,000 IT and Telecoms professionals are working in organisations outside of the IT and Telecoms industries
- There are around 105,000 businesses in the UK offering IT and Telecoms products and services.
- IT‐intensive sectors represent 55% of the UK's total Gross Value Added.
- Less than 1% of those employed in IT and Telecoms occupations are under 18.
- 22% of companies who are trying to recruit IT and Telecoms professionals report difficulties in attracting applicants with the right skills.
- 58% of the workforce has a degree or higher education qualification.
- The IT industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 2.5% per year for the next ten years.
- There are 100,930 IT manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 600,000 people.
- The IT workforce accounts for 4% of the UK workforce.
Jobs in the IT industry include: Business analyst; Games developer; CAD/CAM Programmer/Trainer; IT trainer; Service technician; Software engineer/architect; Technology consultant; Web designer; Systems architect; Technical author.
National and regional data
Across the UK, there is an estimated IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million who are predominately located in London and the South East. The IT workforce can be classified in IT manufacturing and IT services. The largest number of companies is located in:
- IT manufacturing
- South East
- London
- East of England
- IT services
- South East
- London
- East of England
Key regional facts:
- 39% of IT and Telecoms professionals are located in London and the South East
- the East of England has the third highest number of IT and Telecoms employees
- Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East combined comprise just 6% of the IT and Telecoms professionals
- 44% of all types of IT and Telecoms companies are located in London and the South East
- the highest median gross weekly earnings for IT and Telecoms staff are in London, the South East and the East of England, which are all above the UK median
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (April‐June), 2009.]
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