What do Software Developers do?
A software developer identifies user needs, and designs, tests, and builds computer programs. Some develop new applications for mobile or desktop use, while others build underlying operating systems. Once the final software system is installed, they help in maintaining and updating it.
Software Developers work in a variety of industries and often on several different projects.
As a software developer you will often use a variety of different tools and languages and will learn new languages as they are developed.
Day to day you will talk through requirements with customers, propose solutions, write, and test program code, test software, and diagnose and fix programs.
What can I expect to earn?
Starting salaries are often between £18,000 and £25,000 and can rise to over £70,000 with experience.
What subjects should I study?
Employers will look for you to have studied qualifications in English, maths, and computing.
How can I start my career?
There are various ways that you could start your career as a software developer. You could study a college course, such as a Level 3 qualification in computing or programming, which may then lead onto employment, an apprenticeship, or higher-level study.
You could also undertake an apprenticeship such as a software development technician advanced apprenticeship, software developer higher apprenticeship, or DevOps engineer higher apprenticeship.
You could go to university and study computer science, software development, or maths.
To research local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a software developer, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.
Details of relevant degree courses can be found on the UCAS website.
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