Course structure

Expand your tech skills and build the knowledge you need to match employer expectations.

We’ve taken some of the best practice from our work-based programmes and are collaborating with Scottish Tech Army to ensure that every candidate has:

A tech industry mentor
Access to software projects and
A commitment for each candidate to have a real tech industry challenge as the focus of their Integrated Work-Based Project.

These course features are critical to building applied knowledge and bridging candidates into software and tech industry roles. This an opportunity to build your own portfolio of experience and employer prospects. This flexible learning scholarship will prepare you for an entry-level position in the tech sector.

Your future

We hope to enable as many candidates as possible to secure a position with a tech sector employer. Academic credit attained

through participation in this scholarship can be used for advanced standing in any subject-relevant GCU degree programme. Candidates who secure a software-related job can progress to the work-based Graduate Apprenticeship BSc Hons Software Development for Business at GCU.

Typical job roles for those who study software engineering at GCU include software developer, web developer, software engineer, programmer, mobile applications developer, cloud engineer, system analyst, database developer, software tester, IT consultant or UX developer.

Modules
Database Development	20 credits
Fundamentals of Network and Cloud Computing	10 credits
Fundamentals of Software Engineering	20 credits
Integrated Project	20 credits
Mathematics of Computing	20 credits
Programming	20 credits
Fundamentals of Computer Systems	10 credits

Exit award for completion of all 120 credits: Certificate of Higher Education in Computing

The module and assessment information described here has been approved in line with the University’s Quality Assurance and Enhancement Process. This allows us to ensure that the courses we offer are high quality and relevant for today’s students. Occasionally we have to make changes to programme information after it has been published. For full details of potential changes to programmes and how they can affect your application please read the information for students relating to GCU Statement on Changes to Programmes

Modules will run according to the timetable noted below and can be taken individually or accumulated to secure an award of 120 credits, namely a Certificate of Higher Education in Computing.

January – April
Database Development	20 credits
Fundamentals of Network and Cloud Computing	10 credits

May – August
Fundamentals of Software Engineering	20 credits
Integrated Project	20 credits
Maths for Computing	20 credits

September – December
New Programming	20 credits
Fundamentals of Computer Systems	10 credits
Maths for Computing	20 credits

Typical module study duration is 12 weeks, final assessment occurs in 13-15 weeks. Some modules will run in parallel. You will attend an initial comprehensive induction, followed by synchronous and asynchronous teaching one day per week thereafter. Additionally, you should plan self-directed study-time to complete module coursework and assessments.

Each 20 credit module represents approximately 200 hours of study.

This will generally constitute, per week for 12 weeks:

two hours of lectures
one hour tutorial
two hours laboratory time

Students should allow approximately ten hours per week self-directed study. However, some modules may require more laboratory time as part of the student’s self-directed study.