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App developer

App developers design and build mobile applications for PCs, mobile phones and tablets.

Annual Salary

£25,000 to £55,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 40 a week

You could work: 9am to 5pm;

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more App developer jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

You may:

  • develop new apps or create 'mobile-friendly' versions of websites
  • work with other developers, designers and copywriters
  • design prototypes to suit client needs
  • write or amend computer code
  • test software, find faults and fix problems
  • write accurate notes about the development process
  • keep up to date with new technology trends and tools

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

You can get into this job through:

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

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

  • computer science
  • software engineering
  • computer applications development
  • mathematics
  • financial technology

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/
Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships may be relevant:

  • software developer higher apprenticeship
  • creative digital design professional degree apprenticeship

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

  • 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
  • higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
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 with any degree, not just degrees in IT. You start as a junior developer and get training on the job.

More information

Career tips

You can build up your skills and knowledge using free online learning resources for programming languages and apps development.

You'll also find it useful to understand agile project management.

Professional and industry bodies

You can find professional development and training opportunities from The Chartered Institute for IT and the Institution of Analysts and Programmers.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in computing from techskills.

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There are opportunities to work in most sectors and industries, such as business, finance, cyber security, telecommunications and healthcare:

You could:move into system analysis; get promoted to a senior app developer or project manager; become self-employed to do contract work

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Chartered Institute for IT and the Institution of Analysts and Programmers, for professional development and training opportunities.

Find out more about working in App Development

You can find out more about working and training in computing from Tech Future Careers and Bubble Digital Career Portal.

Related jobs include: software developer, computer games developer,user experience[UX] designer,web developer,IT project manager

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to write computer programs
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • knowledge of systems analysis and development
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • persistence and determination
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
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