Tuition Fee

GBP 25,800

Per course

Start Date

Medium of studying

On campus

Duration

1 years

Details

Program Details

Degree

Masters

Major

Computer Science | Information Technology | Software Development

Area of study

Information and Communication Technologies

Education type

On campus

Timing

Full time

Course Language

English

Tuition Fee

Average International Tuition Fee

GBP 25,800

Intakes

Program start date	Application deadline
2025-09-01	-

About Program

Program Overview

MSc Software Development

Overview

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.

Course Content

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 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.

Modules

Databases: Relational Databases, Non-Relational Databases, Data Design and Modelling, Data Management
Computing Foundations: Data storage, Computer architecture, Operating systems, Data structures and algorithms, Networking and internet protocols, Cyber security, Introduction to Software Engineering
Programming: Principles of programming, Object-oriented design and development, Recursion, Threads, Advanced Exception handling, Events, Java Collection framework
Web Development: Client-side web technologies, Server-side web technologies, Design, implement and test a data-driven web application
Software Engineering: Core Software Engineering principles and practices, Historical, legal & ethical context, Requirements analysis and specification, Use of UML for design/process documentation, System Architectures, Agile Development processes and practices, Introduction to User Experience Design, Devops and continuous delivery

People Teaching You

Mr Neil Anderson, Software Development Course Director

Teaching Times

Teaching takes place in the morning and afternoon (3 days a week); there are between 15 and 18 hours of contact teaching hours per week.

Learning and Teaching

Each module generally involves 3 hours of lectures per week along with up to 2/4 hours per week for tutorials and computer lab practicals. Alongside these timetabled activities, students are expected to:

Work through blended-learning resources and activities on the Canvas Virtual Learning environment which includes watching videos, reading online materials and taking online quizzes and practical assignments
Work on group and individual assignments and projects

Modern software development is typically carried out within a team environment and employers are very keen for students to have gained significant experience working within teams. Therefore, many of the project and assessment activities on the course have been designed to give students exposure to the variety of team-based roles and responsibilities they will encounter in the software industry.

Assessment

Each module has its own blend of assessments which cover the full range of learning outcomes for the module. This can include:

Computer-based tests
Individual or group projects
Practical programming tests

What Our Academics Say

"The curriculum of the MSc Software Development was designed through collaboration with significant industrial partners who helped select the most relevant module content to prepare the students for a range of software development roles. This has helped ensure that the graduates are highly trained and much sought after by employers."

Aidan McGowan, Director of Post Graduate Courses (EEECS)

Career Prospects

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.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for Extra-Curricular Skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI): £8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI): £8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £9,250
EU Other: £25,800
International: £25,800

Additional Course Costs

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications:

Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications.
You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course.
This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How Do I Fund My Study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

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 (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at

Entrance Requirements

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 online aptitude test. If you are successful in the first stage of the application process, we will be in touch to organise this.
Dates for running aptitude tests for the 25/26 intake on the MSc Software Development (F/T & P/T pathways) are as follows:
- November 7th – 8th 2024
- December 5th – 6th 2024
- January 30th – 31st 2025
- February 27th – 28th 2025
- March 27th - 28th 2025
- May 1st – 2nd 2025
- June 26th – 27th 2025
- August 28th – 29th 2025

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.

Applications may be considered from those who do not meet the above requirements but can provide evidence of recent relevant technical experience in industry, for example, in programming.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 30th June 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

Please note: a deposit will be required to secure a place.

The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit the link below for more information.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

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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:

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre 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.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus

Take a Virtual Tour of Campus

Explore our immersive 360 degree tours of campus buildings, facilities, accommodation and Belfast city.

Take Your Next Step with Postgraduate Study

Find out more about Postgraduate Study at Queen's

The Thomas J. Moran Graduate School

Supporting your development as a postgraduate at Queen's.

Accommodation

Some of the most affordable, purpose-built student accommodation in the city.

Course Location

Electronics, Electrical Engineering & Computer Sci

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Software Development