Overview
Software developers contribute to an increasing number of products in every home and workplace from your phone to your fridge; as a result, software development skills are no longer confined to the tech industry. That is why highly skilled, well-trained, and qualified Software Engineers and Technicians are constantly sought-after by employers in every sector.
This one-year Level 4 in software development is an advanced, technical qualification, co-designed by London South Bank University (LSBU) and leading industry employers. It is an integration of a validated existing BSc IT degree mapped to the occupational standards and skills knowledge and behaviours required by software employers.
This industry-led qualification equips you with the specialised IT and computing knowledge and skills needed for a direct route to Higher Education, including direct entry to London South Bank University’s second year of its Computer Science or Information Technology Bachelor’s degree, but also directly into employment or as a springboard to changing your career direction.
Through immersive working, you will gain professional-level competencies in a range of key areas, including designing, developing, testing and documenting software; analysing and specifying requirements for the implementation of a range of computing and information systems; effectively using formal notations and graphical and numerical representations for data and processes; analysing systems for potential security weaknesses and proposing mitigating measures; and understanding the fundamental principles that underpin computer systems.
Visits to local projects and workplaces are integrated within the course, and students will be able to access some of London South Bank University’s specialist facilities and benefit from the expertise of the University lecturers via master classes and other activities, whilst studying in small groups in a supportive College environment.
Why study Software Development Programming?
- star You can study this course at the new London South Bank Technical college (LSBTC) in Nine Elms, London’s buzzing Zone 1.
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- This is a practical, work-based course designed in partnership with businesses across London and co-developed with London South Bank University.
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- You can take part in industry-related enrichment visits and experiences to enhance your learning experience. Work on live project briefs, get equipment demonstrations, with an opportunity to attend events and get work experience.
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- Successful completion of this course gives you direct entry onto the second years of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science or Information Technology degree programmes at London South Bank University.
| ModeFull-time | Duration1 year | Start dateSeptember | Application code5822 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides.
Walk or bicycle
The University is in easy walking distance of underground and leading overground stations. We are only 20 minutes away from the Thames. We encourage walking and cycling and have bicycle racks on campus. Please check the Transport for London cycling website for London cycling maps and route planners.
By bus
LSBU is very well connected, and a large number of buses travel to and connect in the Elephant and Castle area from across London.
By train or tube
The Bakerloo and Northern lines stop at Elephant & Castle underground station, which is right next to campus. The closest rail stations are Elephant & Castle, London Waterloo and London Bridge. To plan your train journey, visit the National Rail website.
By car
London South Bank University does not provide public parking space. There is a limited amount of parking in the area, so we strongly advise using public transport.
Do consider the Congestion Charge if you are driving through London to reach the campus. Find out if you'll be crossing the Congestion Charge zone to reach our Southwark Campus.
TfL journey planner
You can travel to Southwark Campus by using public transport, plan your journey using the Transport for London journey planner.
Entry Level Requirements
5 GCSE qualifications at grade A*-C or 9-4 (to include Maths and English)
or
A-Levels plus GCSE Maths and English
or
Relevant Level 3 vocational qualification in an IT-based discipline
or
Relevant Access to Higher Education qualification in an IT-based discipline
All students who are non-native English speakers and who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English, must demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to IELTS 5.5; Reading and Writing must be at 5.5 or equivalent.
Choose your country
Select country here:
Course status
United Kingdom
£
Tuition fees for home students
International
£
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees
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Full-time
full-time
CertHE Software Development (LSB Technical College) (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £ International fee: £ AOS/LSBU code: 5822 Session code: 1FX00
International students
The course is not currently open to international students.
International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
Home/EU applicants
| Mode Full-time | Duration 1 year | Start date September | Application code 5822 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
The course emphasis is on developing a comprehensive understanding of sophisticated digital technologies, and applying the knowledge and skills gained studying to real world projects in the workplace.
- Professional Practice
As a new entrant to higher education, this module prepares you for developing an understanding of - and skills for - academic study and the world of work, and the professional and personal skills you will need. You will be introduced to all aspects of university study and being an IT professional, allowing your ideas to be explored and developed throughout your time studying with us and beyond. The topics studied will be used to develop the skills that both a graduate and an IT professional will require and will give you many opportunities to develop your intellectual skills as well as your practical ones. In addition to these topics on professionalism, the module will introduce you to a range of topics relating to computer-based information systems, e-business and how business organisations work. The module is based on some existing model syllabi as devised by professional bodies such as the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and The Chartered Institute for IT (BCS), but this has been adapted for the needs of LSBU group’s new entrants. - Discrete Mathematics
This module will introduce you to the logical and discrete mathematical structures and models, which are commonly used in the field of Computer Science, and which underpin any study of this discipline. The module will emphasise the formulation of problems into mathematical forms, the interpretation of solutions and the identification of problem characteristics to help suggest modelling approaches. Provisions will be made (typically one hour per week) to allow us to bring you, if necessary, to a level of confidence and expertise in those areas of essential basic mathematics that should have been covered at earlier levels. - Fundamentals of Computer Science
This module aims to give a comprehensive introduction to Computer Science, its theoretical basis and practical implementation in both hardware and software. The history of computing, the role and the science of algorithms, abstraction, the binary numbering system and its representations, Boolean logic and gates, fundamentals of computer hardware, building computer circuits, the von Neumann model, introduction to hardware, data, and software, the nature of data and its operation. - Requirements Analysis and UCD
This module provides the practical tools and techniques required to design, develop, and evaluate effective interactive systems in an ever-changing digital age. User-centred design and usability are recognised as major contributing factors in the success of business and mass market information systems. The rise over the last two decades of the internet and web along with graphical user interfaces (GUIs), multimedia and ubiquitous mobile devices have led to an almost universal uptake of highly sophisticated interactive systems. User-centred design processed are now a fundamental part of enterprise customer relationship management and consumer media content distribution through apps, online information services and social networking sites. Given the mutability of the field, the module intends to keep pace with current developments as far as possible. - Fundamentals of Software Development
This module teaches the fundamentals of computer programming covering variables, datatypes, arrays, algorithms, conditional and iterative code, and the use of functions. Students will learn to write simple programs making use of a contemporary programming language and development environment. To provide students with fundamental programming skills. To give students an understanding of the fundamental concepts of software development such as source code and the compilation and execution of programs. To enable students to become familiar with development tools and environments. - Software Development
This module helps you to understand, develop a vocabulary and acquire some simple programming skills using a programming language. It is using the programming skills and knowledge gained during the first semester to extend the complexity of the coding. It will provide a familiarity with Objects and Classes and some experience in simple GUIs. Good development principles and the support an IDE will provide will also be looked at including all important aspects of the application development process in whatever environment or programming language you may use in the future.
Careers
Teaching and Assessment
On all modules, you'll be assessed 100% by coursework. This includes coursework tasks, including report writing, in-class tests and presentations.