Software & systems

You can get into this job through:

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

University

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

• computer science
• information technology
• software development
• financial technology
• software engineering for business
• maths

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/

College

You could do a college course, such as:

• A Level in Computing
• Level 3 Certificate in Programming
• T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development
• Higher National Certificate in Computing

After your course, you could complete a more advanced qualification, such as a higher apprenticeship. You could also get a trainee position with a company.

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and computing
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could do an apprenticeship such as:

• software development technician advanced apprenticeship
• software developer higher apprenticeship
• DevOps engineer higher apprenticeship
• digital and technology solutions professional or specialist degree apprenticeship
• game programmer degree apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 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
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Other routes

You may be able to apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with a company if you have a degree.

These are often open to all graduates, not just people with a degree in a computing subject.

More information

Career tips

You could build up your skills and knowledge using free online learning resources for programming languages, project management and software development methods.

You can find free online courses through The Skills Toolkit.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in computing from The Chartered Institute for IT and techskills.

View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could:become a senior developer; take responsibility for your team or a project; move into related areas, such as systems design, IT architecture and business systems analysis; set up your own business; work as a consultant

You may find opportunities to work internationally by travelling overseas or working remotely.

For roles linked to Software Developer, you can do an IT Degree Apprenticeship with employers such as SSE.

You can find out more about working and training in computing from The Chartered Institute for IT and Tech Future Careers.

Or by looking at the Code23 site