How to become a software engineer in the UK
The modern world revolves completely around technology. The talented individuals who design our systems, build our apps, provide expert consulting and optimise programs for speed and scalability are the unsung heroes of the digital landscape - software engineers.
These professionals are constantly sought after by firms operating in every industry. Every business now requires technology, but the pipeline of talented professionals is not enough to support the demand. This is a problem faced by organisations across the entire tech sector, but for job seekers, it’s something worth taking advantage of.
Because the supply of talent falls short of the demand, businesses must compete with one another to secure the best individuals. This means in competitive fields, like software engineering, you can leverage a better compensation package, as well as other benefits.
There’s no doubt that software engineering is a popular and gratifying career path to follow. If you have a propensity for problem-solving and can appreciate well-designed software, it could be the perfect job for you.
What are the main routes to becoming a software engineer?
Like many tech jobs, you’d probably assume that at least a bachelor’s degree is mandatory for a software engineer. Whilst it will certainly bolster your chances of landing the perfect role, there’s no obligation to complete an undergraduate course.
Now, there are several different options to secure the appropriate training and education you need to become a software engineer, which is especially important to ensure equal opportunities within the sector through social mobility, diversity and inclusion.
Undergraduate degree
Despite not being a prerequisite for software engineering, obtaining a bachelor’s degree remains the most common path for professionals. In fact, Engineering and Technology and Computer Science both feature in the top ten list of the most popular degrees in the UK.
Usually, a bachelor’s degree involves four years of studying and a specific software engineering course will also feature modules on architecture, programming languages, networking and mathematics.
Postgraduate degree
For many professionals who complete an undergraduate degree, the natural next step is to undertake a postgraduate course. Given the highly competitive nature of software engineering and ever-increasing industry standards, holding a master’s qualification is becoming more appealing to recruiters and hiring managers.
Generally speaking, an undergraduate degree in a closely related subject is a prerequisite for a master’s course. For individuals who go on to achieve a postgraduate certificate, the benefits of intensive classes and practical sessions can lead to a higher-paying software engineer position upon graduation.
Software engineer apprenticeship
There are now many providers of software engineering apprenticeships in the UK, which benefit students with a hands-on, flexible and blended approach to learning. Generally, they last around 15 months, with an additional end-point assessment to follow.
To secure a place on a software engineering apprenticeship, you may need to have completed another course, or hold a particular qualification with another training provider. Alternatively, for many programmes, an A-level in a STEM subject or a BTEC Diploma in IT can be enough, alongside the competition of an aptitude test.