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Graduate Software Engineering Jobs

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          Helping you find a career in the software engineering industry

          Software developers work on a range of different product types: massive projects for government departments, critical business applications for corporates, or on apps and computer programs which we all rely on.

          You could work in a global business like Microsoft, Google, or Oracle, or in a small independent business.

          In a large company, it's likely you'll work on big projects in large teams. However if you work in a consultancy, you'll often work across a greater variety of projects for clients across several industries.

          In small companies, there will often be greater responsibility and less hands-on management for developers. Work-life balance can be challenging as projects are often scheduled to strict deadlines, requiring occasional late evenings or early starts.

          As a software developer or engineer, your day will involve writing and testing code for programs, evaluating existing programs and integrating new functionalities and software, drafting technical specifications and ongoing operational improvement.

          Find out more
          • FAQs
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          FAQs
          Skills & interests required for a career in Software engineering

          Most software companies will want you to have basic coding skills at the very least. Many specify experience with particular coding languages or products as part of their graduate hiring requirements.

          While not all employers will require an IT-related academic background, you'll nearly always need to display some level of skill and familiarity with coding. Strong numeracy skills are also important.

          Consider which sectors or types of software you're most interested in (e.g. Banking Software, Gaming) as you may want to work on specific sorts of projects. Your experience as a software developer will depend on the nature of the products an organisation, or its clients, is using.

          Graduate schemes & other typical career progression routes in Software engineering

          Typically, graduate software developers start in entry-level or junior roles. Larger employers usually have structured training programmes in place.

          In smaller organisations, you might be given a lot of responsibility early on in your career, and it's possible you'll have less structured training.

          Many employers offer to cover the costs of training you in the wide variety of different coding languages, although this is not always guaranteed. There are a variety of Microsoft Learning, Oracle and British Computer Society courses you can take independently, but these can be expensive.

          Software Developers usually progress by taking on greater technical responsibilities. After several years, you can progress to a Senior Developer/Engineer, supervising a small team.

          At more senior levels, the projects you lead will get larger, and so will the teams. Often at senior levels, people management skills are as sought-after as programming and technical skills.

          As an experienced professional, you can go on to work for yourself. You can take a series of fixed-term assignments with other businesses, or work as a consultant with different organisations. This can be highly lucrative and offers a lot of variety. However it can be unstable and expensive as you'll also have to fund any training yourself.

          Tips for getting into the field

          Speak to your university's Careers Advisor to discuss your interest in Software Development. Some universities have Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with organisations to facilitate work experience and internships, which can be invaluable in securing your first role in the industry.

          Speak to careers advisors or your university's Computer Science Department to check if there are any free or subsidised coding courses you can attend as a student.

          How much can graduates earn in Software engineering?

          Graduate Software Developer/Engineers usually earn between £18,000 and £30,000. Larger employers in the Software sector often pay at the higher end of the bracket.

          Salary progression in Software Development can be quite quick, as experienced Developer/Engineers can earn between £30,000 and £50,000.

          You can earn up to £70,000 in senior levels. Senior Management roles can be very well paid, both in terms of salary and bonuses.

          If you became an independent software developer, your earnings will depend on your level of expertise, the demand for your skill set and the nature of projects.

          What qualifications do I need for a career in Software engineering?

          Not all graduate Software Development roles require a specific undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Computer Science, IT or Computer Engineering. However, graduates with these qualifications are more likely to succeed.

          If your degree is in an unrelated subject, you can still apply successfully to many programmes if you have coding experience.

          Read more about the Software engineering industry

          Code Your Future

          Software engineering industry bodies

          British Computer Society
          Institution of Analysts and Programmers