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Attend an Open DayOur Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) provide a fully funded pathway for individuals to a achieve a degree or for organisations to invest in the talents of their workforce
The BSc (Hons) IT Software Development (Graduate Apprenticeship) programme is designed to integrate academic excellence with practical industry experience, ensuring you are well-prepared for a successful career in software development or related fields.
Whether you are an employer looking to upskill your talented staff, an experienced computing or software professional seeking formal qualifications, or someone who wishes to gain a qualification while they work and earn, this programme is tailored to meet your needs.
The programme has undergone a major update for 2024, with the goal of further aligning the soft, hard, and meta-skills learned with the demands of the software industry.
It starts by providing a solid grounding in computing and software development in the first years, followed by offering options that allow you to choose topics aligning with your interests and employer needs.
The programme uses blended learning, minimal exam-based assessment, and combines rigorous academic theory with practical experience, ensuring you are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the workplace. You will attend University classes (either online, or with the option to study on-campus) one day per week across all three terms.
By blending online learning with optional on-campus sessions, we aim to provide you with the best of both worlds - comprehensive, flexible education that fits around your professional and personal commitments.
*Our IT Software Development GA is currently in the process of being renamed Data, AI and Software Engineering to better reflect the content of the course.
The programme has been designed in partnership with employers to ensure it delivers the skills, knowledge, and understanding required by software professionals, both now and in the future.
We cover relevant and recent topics such as DevOps, Data Science, Machine Learning, and more, ensuring you are well-equipped to succeed in the industry.
The programme is designed to offer a comprehensive blended learning experience.
Learning materials will be made available in advance through our Virtual Learning Environment, and classes will primarily take place online.
For some classes, you will have the option to either study online or attend on-campus sessions at our stunning Lanarkshire Campus. This is to foster a community of like-minded learners and to provide you with opportunities to meet your lecturers face-to-face.
Apprentices embark on an educational journey, where they integrate their learning into professional software practice from their first day.
Engaging with real projects, they actively contribute to their workplaces, generating tangible and immediate benefits for the business.
All modules taught will include formative and summative assessments, such as case studies, reports, online discussion boards, quizzes and more.
They are designed to evaluate your understanding, provide continuous feedback, and enhance your learning experience by applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Communication, and Lifelong Learning are just a few of the meta-skills you will gain while undertaking this programme.
Throughout your studies, you will build additional skills and competencies through your academic coursework and daily work-based experiences. This will equip you to successfully manage both your future personal and professional lives.
Flexible entry facilitates recognition of prior industry experience and qualifications.
At UWS, we recognise qualifications and industry experience. We offer advanced entry for candidates with the relevant qualifications. Please get in touch for further information.
Initially, graduate apprentices work in job roles such as Systems Administrator, IT Helpdesk Specialist, Junior Developer, Software Tester, or Systems Support Analyst.
After successfully completing the programme, they often advance to more senior roles such as Senior Software Developer, DevOps Specialist, Software Architect, and beyond. They leverage their acquired skills and experience to excel in leadership positions within the software industry.
As an apprentice on the BSc (Hons) IT Software Development programme, you will be in relevant employment. The GA will build on your existing employability skills.
Graduate Apprentices are productive members of their companies from an early stage. Your learning will be integrated with your workplace activities your learning and skills will be applied in a professional environment right from day one. As a Graduate Apprentice you will be uniquely placed to integrate your academic skills, knowledge and practices with workplace practices.
To achieve this you will be supported by a dedicated UWS Tutor and a Workplace Mentor, who will work together to maximise the opportunities to accredit the learning taking place in your workplace activities.
The GA provides a thorough grounding in the principles of programming and associated software engineering approaches, and develops the lifelong learning skills that you will need to stay abreast of the rapidly evolving technologies in software development.
"I have gained a lot of practical, hands on development experience during my time completing my GA which helps me in my current role to develop new software."
Radoslaw Lewandowski, who is a graduate of IT Software Development and holds the post of Associate Software Engineer at Arnold Clark.
The benefits of apprenticeships are significant, but don't take our word for it. Hear from one of our students, Nadia Chinnery, and discover the power of apprenticeships at UWS.
“My final year so far at UWS has really brought me the refinements of my skills and I’m bringing it into the workplace.”
Nadia Chinnery, 4th year IT Software Development GA student
To apply for a GA, applicants must meet Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) eligibility criteria.
GAs are open to existing employees and new recruits. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of employer support during the application process.
All applications are considered on an individual basis. Do not worry if your qualifications are not listed below. We take a range of factors into account when assessing your application. We're happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
Experienced applicants can apply for admission based on Accreditation of Prior Learning / Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning in accordance with the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) guidelines guidelines.
All applicants should be in employment and be supported by their employer for the duration of their studies.
Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional
qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
Considering the relevance of the programme to industry, applicants can apply for admission based on Accreditation of Prior Learning / Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning in accordance with the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) guidelines.
Advanced entry in Years 2 to 4 of the programme will be considered on an individual basis. This may be possible if you possess an HNC/HND or BSc degree in a suitable discipline or relevant professional qualifications or experience. Please contact us for more details. In all cases, the University’s RPL and APEL guidelines will apply.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
The BSc (Hons) in IT Software Development is a graduate apprenticeship programme developed in partnership with industry, the education sector, and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). This collaboration ensures that the curriculum aligns with industry needs.
Students participating in the apprenticeship have access to the same learning opportunities and support as those in traditional full-time university programmes. Across the three terms each year, you will typically split your time by spending about 80% working at your job and 20% developing additional hard, soft, and meta-skills required for software professionals through university studies. Your employer will provide the necessary time for study as part of your work schedule.
One of the key benefits of a graduate apprenticeship is the immediate application of learned skills. Skills acquired in the workplace can be applied to university tasks and assessments, and topics studied at university can be embedded into your day-to-day work.
Lecturers will ensure that there is a range of collaborative elements and opportunities for students to share their experiences. This ensures that everyone in a class learns about software practices in a range of sectors and organisations, allowing for the exchange of ideas, insights, and best practices.
This programme is delivered over four years, the same duration as traditional full-time undergraduate Honours programme. You will undertake 120 study credits per year (three terms per year). Work-based learning and modules covering industry-relevant topics form the backbone of the course. Term dates and assessment schedules will be provided in advance to support you in managing a balanced work-study-life schedule.
The programme is structured over four years of study, each year building on the previous one.
The programme is delivered through blended learning, with the majority of the learning delivered through Work-based Learning. Students are expected to be on campus for a day every 1 to 2 weeks for facilitated workshops and practical sessions to reinforce their online e-learning and workplace experiential learning.
Assessment is through a number of methods including:
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
For individuals and businesses who wish to find out more about the BSc (Hons) IT Software Development Graduate Apprenticeship, please contact:
Dr Jacob Koenig, Programme Leader:
Usman Ahmad, Industry Engagement Manager:
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
To apply directly to the University for this course, you need to be working in Scotland in a position that relates to the field of study and have support from your employer to undertake the course in its entirety (all years). Due to the manner in which the Graduate Apprentice scheme is funded in Scotland, only students who satisfy the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) residence eligibility criteria can apply.
Apply Directly to UWS
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.