City College Plymouth

FdSc Software Development

UCAS course code G602
Institution code C83
Duration

2 years
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location City College Plymouth
Apply at UCAS.com

We are a College with a national reputation for promoting enterprise, employability and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Study in a friendly, supportive higher education community with dedicated and enthusiastic lecturers delivering courses designed with employers, ensuring that you graduate with industry-relevant skills and knowledge.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    CITY1101
    Object Oriented Programming

    The object oriented programming paradigm requires a programmer to design and develop code by considering what objects may exist in some system, how these are related to each other and how these may interact with each other. It is a proven method for developing reliable modular programs and encourages reuse which shortens development time. This module provides an introduction to the object-oriented programming paradigm.

    CITY1102
    Computer Systems

    This module will help learners to understand the fundamental components that are used to form a computer. It will provide an overview of different types of computer and identify various operating systems that are used.

    CITY1103
    Mathematics for Computing

    This module will develop the students mathematical ability and provide a foundation for computer based algebra, transformations, numerical concepts and relational algebra. Computing packages and calculators will be used throughout the programme.

    CITY1104
    Computer Networks

    Networking is at the heart of modern life, providing the infrastructure for all types of communication. This module introduces the students to the fundamental technology of networks and the underlying concepts and protocols. The module has a balanced mix of theory and practice, with the theoretical concepts discussed in the lectures matched by scenarios to design, implement, configure and troubleshoot in the lab sessions.

    CITY1105
    Web Development

    This module gives the student an introduction to developing web applications. It establishes the fundamental components required to develop software for the web. It provides an introductory understanding and use of programming and scripting languages needed. Security and legal aspects of web applications are introduced.

    CITY1106
    Database Development

    Databases underlie many modern business applications, and most software developer will find themselves involved with the development of maintenance of them at some point in their career. It is important to understand the principles of relational database design to underpin and developments in other database models, and this unit will focus on the relational model, but provide some pointers to alternatives.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    CITY2105
    Computing Team Project

    This practical take on systems engineering introduces this as a means of facilitating and assuring the development of a complex computer related technical product. Focusing predominantly on introducing tools and techniques that can be applied at different stages of the product development cycle. It will cover relevant system analysis processes that support project management and will focus on the Agile development model. Students will be given a group project specified by an industrial collaborator which will have well defined targets and timescales for completion.

    CITY2106
    Web And Mobile Application Development

    This module gives the student both conceptual and practical experience of developing web and mobile applications. It provides the student with fundamental understanding regarding: web architecture and its associated components; how to design web applications; and how to apply the appropriate programming paradigms and languages to build applications. It also provides the student with fundamental understanding regarding: application architecture and its associated components; how to design for mobile devices; and how to apply the appropriate programming paradigms, frameworks and languages to build applications. Security ethical and legal aspects of web and mobile applications are introduced.

    CITY2108
    Software Development

    This module explores the principles and techniques of software development. The learners will acquire an understanding of analysis, design, software construction and testing both in independent and collaborative development. Various design patterns and software architectures and frameworks are explored and professional skills such as UML and Agile are developed.

    CITY2109
    Human Computer Interaction

    Advances in HCI significantly impact our daily lives and interaction with computers is frequent and necessary. Hence it is essential this interaction is natural, efficient and effective. This module aims to give learners: theories, practices and tools required to design and construct interfaces that meet these needs; a critical appreciation of interfaces currently available; and the experience of prototype development.

    CITY2117
    Data Structures And Algorithms

    This module will provide the learner with experience in the use of algorithms and data structures which underpin much of today's computing. The unit will develop formal concepts of data structures and algorithms and the relationship between them. Topics covered will include stacks, queues, linked lists, binary trees and sorting and searching algorithms.

    CITY2118
    Systems Analysis

    Software developers are often good at understanding conceptual models of the software they write and can document this in both code and as UML diagrams. This module looks at the modelling of an organisation using UML and related notations, and the transition from Business Model into Software Model.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Our partnership with City College Plymouth
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with City College Plymouth

Just one-and-a-half miles from the University of Plymouth, we’re one of the largest colleges in the South West, with two main sites linked by shuttle buses, with a dynamic Students’ Union and Student Liaison Team.
Plymouth students working on a group project