As a Software Development student, you will get the chance to gain additional professional, industry-recognised certifications alongside your course. These additional qualifications are often fully or part-funded and are a great opportunity to maximise your skillset for your future career. Examples of Professional Certificates that students have completed include AWS Cloud Certified Practitioner, CompTIA Data+ and Cisco CCNA.
OVERVIEW
STUDY LEVELS
Cert HE
UCAS CODE
C601
DURATION
1 Year
START DATE(S)
Sep / Nov / Jan / Feb / Apr / Jun
ENTRY YEAR
2024/25 | 2025/26
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
64*
What you will learn
Co-designed with Microsoft and focused on employability, our 1-year Software Development Cert HE course is equivalent to the first year of a degree.
- Get to grips with front-and back-end development, and learn in-demand programming languages including JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS and SQL.
- Benefit from the opportunity to design and build a functioning website using a real-life scenario.
- Develop the skills to write and implement algorithms and understand how to interpret and present data.
- Look at how software systems are developed, understand the software development cycle and explore agile methodologies in the workplace.
If you’re looking for a software development course in Manchester, check out our 1-year Software Development Cert HE and unlock your greatness at UA92.
Professional Certifications
AWS Cloud Certified Practitioner
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner validates foundational, high-level understanding of AWS Cloud, services, and terminology.
CompTIA Data+
An early-career data analytics certification for professionals tasked with developing and promoting data-driven business decision-making.
Cisco CCNA Certification
CCNA covers networking fundamentals, IP services, security fundamentals, automation and programmability.
How You Will Study
Course
breakdown
24 weeks of
study
4 x 6-week blocks
1 subject module per block
4 CPD focus days per block
Subject Module
Breakdown
250 hours of
study per module
80 hrs face-to-face (32%)
20 hrs Digital Wednesdays (8%)
150 hrs independent study (60%)
Assessment
Breakdown
No traditional
end-of-year exams*
100% coursework*
*there will be one short exam in the module Computational Problem-Solving.
Your course modules
Module 1 - Front End Development
You’ll get to grips with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, learning how to design and build a website based using a real-world scenario.
Module 2 - Back-End Development
You’ll take an in depth look at Webservers, that form the backbone of the Internet. You’ll gain an understanding of Linux system management, PHP programming language, Structured Query Language (SQL) and database development theory; whilst building a database-based webserver app hosted on a Linux based server.
Module 3 - Software Design
You’ll take a look at how software systems are developed from inception to delivery and testing. You’ll learn about both traditional software development lifecycle and agile methodologies as well as complete a group design assignment to simulate a workplace team working environment.
Module 4 - Computational Problem-Solving
You’ll develop the skills to devise efficient algorithms and undertake practical exercises implementing algorithms in the Python programming language. You’ll also learn how to interpret, and more importantly, present data.
What is the 92 Programme?
Alongside your subject modules, you will complete the 92 Programme.
Engaging with the 92 Programme is a requirement for all students and will count towards your overall grade.
In each block, you will take part in a number of Character and Personal Development focus days. During these focus days, you will complete activities designed to boost your mindset, develop your skillset and get you set for future career success.
Throughout the 92 Programme, you will develop skills in self-reflection and awareness, wellness and resilience and professionalism and employability, as well as upskill in different areas.
Find out more about how we prepare students for future career success.
Why the 92 Programme is part of your course?
In a recent study*, 78% of employers believe graduates do not arrive in the workplace fully equipped with the skills they need to be work-ready.
Another study conducted by the World Economic Forum** identified ‘10 Skills You Need for the Future of Work’. These skills include:
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Analytical (critical) thinking
- Active learning with a growth mindset
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Technology skills
At UA92, we prepare you for life after graduation and equip you with the skills employers value most. You may not realise it, but developing these skills now, will get you set for career success and could land you that dream job in the future.
*CMI Report: Work Ready Graduates
**World Economic Forum: The Future of Jobs Report 2023
How is the 92 Programme assessed?
You will produce a learning journal that will document your experiences. This will be submitted at the end of the academic year to assess whether you have met the required standard to pass the module.
Why study at UA92
UA92 offer a deliberately different experience to traditional universities; with fixed morning or afternoon timetables and no end of year exams. Our industry-inspired courses, place character and personal development firmly at the core of the learning experience.
- Degrees and Certificates of Higher Education awarded by the prestigious Lancaster University
- No traditional end of year exams**
- Study one module at a time
- Courses co-designed with industry
- Fixed morning or afternoon timetable***
- Multiple start dates throughout the year
- Focus on Character and Personal Development
UA92 scored higher than all Greater Manchester Universities for Teaching, Academic Support, Mental Health Support Services and Assessment and Feedback in the National Student Survey 2023.*
THIS COURSE IS TAUGHT AT
Old Trafford Campus
This is where our story began, back in 2019. The UA92 Campus is in the heart of Old Trafford, Manchester. Inside there’s a fully equipped Sports Performance Centre, Media Studio and Digital Academy. The tram stop is a 1 minute walk, which gets you into the heart of Manchester city-centre in under 10 minutes.
FIND US
UA92 Old Trafford Campus
Brian Statham Way
Old Trafford
Manchester UK
M16 0PU
The Digital Academy at UA92
DIGITAL ACADEMY
Located on our Old Trafford campus, the Digital Academy includes a 360 degree immersive audio and video environment, augmented reality and virtual reality zone, digital labs and unique and varied study spaces.
DIGITAL LABS
Our specialist Digital Labs give you access to high-spec Mac minis and all the software you need to complete your studies.
THE IGLOO
The Igloo is our cutting-edge, 360 degree immersive audio and visual space. The Igloo provides a unique, engaging space for collaboration and digital experiences.
VR SUITE
The VR suite gives students the opportunity to experience and experiment with the medium of virtual reality.
STUDY SPACES
There’s a communal space at the heart of the Digital Academy. The large contemporary, open plan collaboration zone, is perfect for independent or group study sessions.
My UA92 Journey: Computer Science
What’s next?
This 1-year course is the perfect stepping stone to a full computer science degree. If you pass the Cert HE successfully, you will automatically be eligible to progress to the second year of the 3-year degree programme.
If you choose to leave after the 1-year Cert HE, you’ll walk away with a valuable level 4 qualification which will support your job applications in the sector.
Whatever you decide, you’ll be on your way to an engaging career in the digital world. You might go on to be a software developer, software engineer, computer programmer, computer technician, app developer or web designer.
Industry Partnerships
We have over 60 industry partners who support our mission to develop career-ready graduates. These partnerships provide you with access to industry-leading expertise, mentorship opportunities and work-place experiences.
Our industry partners play a vital role in shaping both the curriculum you study and your student experience. From delivering guest lectures and masterclasses to providing internships and graduate roles. Here are just some of our partners:
Microsoft
Microsoft is based in 190 countries with 220,000 employees, including a North of England base at the UA92 campus. Microsoft teams work closely with UA92 to deliver insight, training and employability sessions.
CompTIA
As a vendor partner with UA92, CompTIA provides education, training, guest lectures and certifications across Cyber Security, networking, cloud computing and technical support to UA92 undergraduates.
Cisco
Cisco and UA92 are vendor partners, giving UA92 students the opportunity to take part in training and certification preparing them for success in the industry’s most critical digital jobs including engineers and software developers
Meet the Computer Science Team
Damian Payton
Head of Digital
Steph Riley
Senior Lecturer
Ali Alizari
Senior Lecturer
Ngozi Nneke
Lecturer
Omar Ailobadi
Lecturer
Damian Payton
Head of Digital
Steph Riley
Senior Lecturer
Ali Alizari
Senior Lecturer
Ngozi Nneke
Lecturer
Omar Ailobadi
Lecturer
ASK OUR DIGITAL STUDENTS
Our friendly ambassadors are ready to answer your questions. Click on the ‘Ask me a question’ button to start a conversation.
*The NSS results referred to above compares UA92’s results against the 4 Universities in Greater Manchester (University of Bolton, Manchester Metropolitan University, Salford University and The University of Manchester). Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic support refers to the average score across all questions in these themes. Mental health support services refers to question: How well communicated was information about your university/college’s mental wellbeing support services?
**There may be exams in some subject areas, but we avoid this where possible. Any exams will be undertaken at the end of the module instead of at the end of the academic year.
*** If you start in February, April or June or as an accelerated student, we can’t guarantee your timetable will be fixed am/pm throughout your studies.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The standard entry requirements for the Software Development Cert HE course is 64 UCAS points.* However, each application is assessed on an individual basis, taking into consideration a wide range of factors. Depending on your personal circumstances, and in line with our Contextual Admissions Policy, your application may still be considered if you have less than 64 UCAS Points. Alternatively, we have other courses that we can offer. If you would like to know more about applying to UA92 or have any questions about our entry requirements, please contact our Student Futures Team.
LEVEL 2
- 2 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including English Language and Maths
- Accepted Alternatives: Functional Skills Level 2 (English and Maths)
LEVEL 3
- UCAS Points: 64
- A Levels: CC (64 equivalent)
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: MPP
- BTEC Diploma: MM
- T Levels: P (C+)
- Scottish Advanced Highers: DD
- IB: 24 points with 14 from Higher Level Subjects
NON-TRADITONAL
Some qualifications do not carry UCAS Tariff points but may still be considered. We take into account a range of qualifications and work/life experience that can demonstrate your ability to succeed on the course. Each application is assessed on an individual basis, taking into consideration a wide range of factors.
INTERNATIONAL
International Baccalaureat
Pass the IB Diploma with minimum 24 points overall, with 14 points from Higher Level Subjects.
English Language Requirements
In addition to meeting the academic criteria, if your first language isn’t English, you may be asked for a recognised English language qualification. This is especially important if you are not a national of a majority English speaking country or you haven’t completed a degree in English. If you are an international student, in order to obtain a student visa, you will be required to demonstrate that you have the correct level of English language competency to study in the UK.
- IELTS: Overall score of 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5
FEES AND FINANCE
