BSc (Hons) Software Development for Business

Accredited by: BCS Tech Gold Tech Partnership

GCU is the first university in Scotland to offer this innovative Tech Industry Gold Programme, which is accredited by the Tech Partnership.

The programme has been developed in co-operation with leading UK employers to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to become a professional software developer.

Studying on this programme you benefit from direct employer engagement in the form of Industry Insight Lectures, project case studies, participation in UK-wide competitions, attendance at employer-student events, work placements and networking opportunities with students from other universities. You will acquire the right balance of technical, interpersonal, project management and business skills needed as a software developer. In addition, you will have many opportunities to showcase your abilities to employers.

Students on this programme are encouraged to undertake an industrial placement, which may be undertaken on completion of Year 3. You can study abroad with the European Erasmus Exchange Programme and get training experience abroad through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE).

Your career

This programme has been designed to prepare you for a career as a software developer; typical job roles include Software Developer, Web Developer, Software Engineer, Programmer, Mobile Applications Developer, Cloud Engineer, System Analyst, Database Developer, Software Tester, IT Consultant or UX Developer.

International student start dates

For new international students, orientation events start on 14 September 2018 . This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.

There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

Professional accreditation

Awarded Tech Industry Gold by Tech Partnership. Tech Industry Gold degrees are defined by employers to provide students with the technical, business and interpersonal skills that place them in high demand in the tech sector. techindustrygolddegrees.com. The degree is also accredited by BCS the Chartered Institute for IT.

Work placements

Students have the possibility to undertake an industrial placement on completion of Year 3. This can be a year-long placement or there is also an option of a 12-week placement in the second semester of Year 3. These placements are not compulsory or guaranteed.

Assessment methods

A range of methods will be used to assess learning outcomes; these include examinations, coursework, class tests, group projects, presentations and written reports. Group projects are assessed for the merits of the developed solution as well as innovation, communication of the solution and the ability to work as part of a team. Throughout their final year, students will undertake an individual project. This program will be endorsed by and is designed with input from, e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology. Students benefit from working through case studies as well as "guru" lectures provided by key employers, such as IBM, the NHS, and Capgemini. By working with e-skills UK this programme ensures that its graduates will be both employable and productive. GCU will be the first university in Scotland to have its programmes endorsed by e-skills UK. In addition, this program will be accredited by the British Computer Society.

Teaching methods

We aim to be flexible and to provide access to hardware and software outside lab hours. In our teaching, we use state of the art open source as well as professional software. Students benefit from free licenses to various professional software products. Student learning is supported through the use of Glasgow Caledonian University's Virtual Learning Environment, GCULearn. Learning materials are provided in digital format. By working closely with e-skills UK students studying on this programme benefit from direct employer involvement through guru lectures, networking opportunities and career mentoring support. The e-skills community online networking service is also available to allow interaction with industry experts and fellow students throughout the UK. A year-long optional placement opportunity exists between Years 3 & 4. Students will take part in group projects which go beyond the scope of individual modules. These group projects will address complex real-life tasks for external clients in order to improve students' academic, practical and employability skills. Opportunities exist through the European Erasmus Exchange Programme and the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience Programme (IAESTE) to complete part of the degree at a foreign university. Students will be supported by the GCU Exchange and Study Abroad Team. In addition, students can participate in the Multinational Undergraduate Teamwork Project (MUTW), where teams of students from different countries collaborate in the development of a software project. Students attend team meetings at the participating universities and jointly present the developed project at the end.

Glasgow Caledonian University is a distinctive, inclusive and forward-looking university that is committed to its social mission to promote the common good. We have become an international centre of excellence in higher education, promoting employability and global citizenship in our graduates. We win awards for our support and commitment to the student experience, whilst delivering innovation through our world-class research in key areas of strength. We have a tradition of widening access to higher education for talented individuals regardless of their backgrounds, and we leverage our intellectual and social capital for the benefit of the communities we serve in Scotland and internationally.

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is a vibrant, innovative and multi-award winning University for the Common Good.

We aim to contribute to society in a manner that embraces yet goes beyond the traditional role of a university. GCU’s For the Common Good commitment is brought to life and delivered by students and staff across academic schools and departments.

Welcome to the School of Engineering and Built Environment

GCU's vast IT, engineering and construction experience is housed within the School of Engineering and Built Environment. Our supportive staff are experts in their field; well-connected frontrunners in areas such as IT security and web development, environmental science, telecommunications, surveying and building services. Our research into built environment and connections with industry leaders in growing markets such as games design make us an exciting choice for students, staff and researchers.

GCU's School of Engineering and Built Environment (EBE), one of three academic schools in GCU, brings together the Department of Construction and Surveying, Department of Engineering and Department of Computer, Communications and Interactive Systems. Inter-departmental collaborations allow the school to offer stimulating, unparalleled range of teaching and flexible delivery options, combining traditional knowledge with cutting-edge practice.

We are especially proud of our industry links and partnerships with professional bodies, ensuring an industry standard of learning in our curriculum, which is reflective of the changing needs of the labour market. Furthermore, we are fortunate to welcome a large number of part-time students each year who bring a great deal of practical experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Departments

The School has over 200 academic staff in its three departments. Our primary output, consistent with the University’s strategy, is the education of students to the highest possible standard, producing highly qualified graduates with degrees that are accredited by the premier national and international authorities.

We work to support the Common Good through our roles in the education of students from socially challenging backgrounds, through our innovative support of the public sector and by our research which aims to benefit society.

Construction and Surveying

The Department of Construction & Surveying has for many years produce more graduates for the construction and property sectors than any other university in the UK.

Engineering

The Department of Engineering is highly respected nationally and internationally for teaching, research and consultancy.

Computer, Communications and Interactive Systems

The Department of Computer, Communications and Interactive Systems (CCIS) is led by Professor Tom Buggy and consists of Communication Networks & Security Engineering, Computer and Electronic Systems Engineering, Digital Media Design, Interaction Design & Engineering and Software Engineering.

Professional Accreditation

The School of Engineering and Built Environment has a strong track record of working partnerships with professional bodies, ensuring an industry standard of learning which is relevant to the changing needs of the labour market.

Our professional affiliations not only keep our students up-to-date with the latest advances in the industry but help our graduates to stand-out when looking for employment.

We offer programmes and modules accredited by:

• BCS (Chartered Institute for Information Technology)
• CIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - Scottish Branch)
• CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers)
• CIOB (Chartered Institute of Builders)
• CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management)
• CIWM (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management)
• Engineering Council
• ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers)
• IESIS (Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland)
• IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology)
• IFE (Institution of Fire Engineers)
• IHE (Institute of Highway Engineers)
• IMeche (Institute of Mechanical Engineers)
• ISE (Institution of Structural Engineers)
• PMI (Global Accreditation Center for Project Management)
• RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)

The School of Engineering and Built Environment has a strong track record of working partnerships with professional bodies, ensuring an industry standard of learning which is relevant to the changing needs of the labour market.

Our professional affiliations not only keep our students up-to-date with the latest industry advancements but also help our graduates to stand out when looking for employment.

We offer programmes and modules accredited by:

• APM (Association for Project Management)
• BCS (Chartered Institute for Information Technology)
• CIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - Scottish Branch)
• CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers)
• CIHIT (Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation)
• CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building)
• CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management)
• CIWM (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management)
• Engineering Council
• ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers)
• IESIS (Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland)
• IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology)
• IFE (Institution of Fire Engineers)
• IHE (Institute of Highway Engineers)
• IMechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers)
• InstMC (Institute of Measurement and Control)
• ISE (Institution of Structural Engineers)
• PMI (Global Accreditation Center for Project Management)
• RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)