Which course is best for becoming a software developer?

Had a look throughout, can't see anything "computer science"? as such. I'm currently working in software QA and want to make the transition from tester -> developer. Fortunately my company can probably offer me one day per week in development to go hand in hand with my studies to give me good experience too. Being in testing (for 3~ years by the time I have finished studying I feel will give me a good advantage for moving as im already heavily involved in the software development processes etc

Has anyone done their degree via the open uni and currently employed as a software developer? how did you find it and which course/modules did you pick.

I currently have an HND in Computing, so im hoping i can do it part time Bsc(Hons) in 3 years? ~ need to send my HND off to see what its worth in terms of points.

Secondly, what should I be gathering up for this credit transfer application? is it just stuff referencing my highest qualification e.g my HND? are they looking stuff previous to that as well

Thanks a lot :smile:

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 1

Urist

If you study a Bsc (Hons) Computing & IT: http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q62 then stage 1 is mostly generic and covers a variety of different topics. At stage 2 (year 2 of full time study) you can choose two specialisations. Among these are computer science and software development, which would be best suited to software engineering work. These both require the module M250 (http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/modules/m250), computer science requires M269 (http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/modules/m269 ) and software development requires the soon to be replaced M256 (http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/modules/m256) You would also take one additional module to fill out the final 30 credits for stage 2, as the other 3 modules add to 90 and you need 120.

In stage 3 you take 3 different advanced modules such as software engineering, data management and analysis, IT systems, etc. in addition to completing a computing project module in which you can design and create a piece of software or conduct independent research based on one of your stage 3 modules depending on your preferences.

A HND might be able to get you straight into the 2nd or even 3rd stage of your degree but it would be best to inquire with the Open University directly to know what your HND will get you into. Typically, they will give you more credits towards an Open Degree than any named qualification (like Computing & IT) but given that you have a specific technical role in mind I would advise going for the named qualification regardless.

I'm about to start my degree (Computing & IT and Mathematics) this October so I can't comment on the career prospects or experience of the modules. However, you can find all of the Computing & IT modules and their reviews on this page: http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/computing-and-it by scrolling down to Modules, clicking it and looking at the pages for each one. The reviews will be able to give you a good idea of what people thought of the modules, as will the student satisfaction surveys.

Good luck with your studies and your career.

(edited 8 years ago)

Open University

Milton Keynes

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