University course · real outcomes from HESA / Discover Uni · part of Careermash
University degree

Software Development

Glasgow Caledonian University · Glasgow
Qualification
Degree
Length
4 yrs
UK fees / yr
£9,535
Study
full-time
Robin · your guide
Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.
About this course

Software development is both the art and the engineering of turning human requirements into working computer programs. It encompasses the full process of designing, building, testing, and maintaining software systems, from the individual algorithms and data structures that underpin specific functions to the architectural decisions that determine how large and complex systems are organised and extended over time. As virtually every sector of the economy has come to depend on software, the ability to develop it well, reliably, securely, and at scale, has become one of the most fundamental technical skills in the modern workplace.

At Glasgow Caledonian University, this four-year full-time BSc in Software Development prepares you to be a confident software professional with the technical expertise and practical experience required in today's digital economy. You will develop skills in programming, software engineering, web and application development, databases, cybersecurity, and the professional practices that underpin effective software delivery in teams and organisations. The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement, giving you substantial industry experience before you complete your degree, which is central to developing the professional maturity and applied competence that employers in the sector value.

The entry tariff is 168 points.

Graduates from software development programmes are in exceptionally strong demand across virtually every industry. Software engineering, backend and frontend development, mobile development, systems programming, DevOps, cloud engineering, and technical project management are among the most common career destinations. The demand for skilled software developers continues to outstrip supply in the UK and globally, and graduates with both technical depth and practical experience are well positioned to move quickly into professional roles.

Postgraduate study in software engineering, computer science, or cybersecurity is an option for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or move into research and development roles.

Could you get in?
The grades students arrived with
64-79 pts5%
96-111 pts5%
112-127 pts15%
128-143 pts10%
144-159 pts10%
160-175 pts25%
176-191 pts15%
192-207 pts10%
208-223 pts5%
224-239 pts5%
How they qualified
72% got in with A-levels. The rest came in a mix of ways:
A-levels72%
other higher education20%
an Access course6%
another degree2%
Could I get in? Try your grades
120 UCAS pts
Pay & prospects
95%
In work or further study after
85%
Continue past first year
85%
Student satisfaction
What graduates earn over time
£24,000
3 years on
£29,000
5 years on
What graduates actually go on to do % of leavers
Elementary occupations10%
Information Technology ProfessionalsHighly skilled40%
Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsHighly skilled15%
Sales occupations5%
Engineering professionalsHighly skilled5%
Process, plant and machine operatives5%
Administrative occupations5%
Skilled trades occupations5%
What students say National Student Survey
85%
of students are satisfied with the course overall
Teaching81%
Assessment & feedback86%
Academic support81%
Well organised81%
Learning resources88%
Student community88%
More courses like this
Where this degree can lead
Like the look of it?
When you're ready, the full entry requirements and application are on Glasgow Caledonian University's own site.
Apply on uni site
Careermash · real course data from HESA / Discover Uni, in plain English.

Career data: role, pay and progression profiles built for Careermash's careers engine; AI-impact estimates from Anthropic's observed AI-usage telemetry and OpenAI's AI Jobs Transition Framework. Course data: HESA / Discover Uni, including Graduate Outcomes, LEO and the National Student Survey. Apprenticeships: IfATE-published standards, approved only.

© 2026 Careermash. A concept for secondary schools.