Requirements

Programmer - requirements

As a programmer, sometimes called a software engineer, you’ll use your skills in mathematics, logical thinking and programming languages to create, develop or maintain computer software. Read on to learn about what working in this field is like, how you can get a role and how your career might develop.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a programmer?

Getting a qualification in one of the following subjects will be helpful for this career:

Your portfolio of projects and experiences as a programmer can be just as important as formal qualifications when job-seeking. Many programmers work on personal projects to show off their skills. Getting into this career is possible with an HND if you can show relevant experience and strong programming skills.

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a programmer?

A postgraduate qualification isn’t typically asked for but can help you move into computing and IT from elsewhere or compete for positions.

Postgraduate courses worth considering include:

Computer science
Computing science
Software engineering
Cyber security and data governance
Cyber security engineering
Data science

What skills do you need to be a programmer?

Your knowledge of different programming languages, along with strong communication skills and an eye for detail, are core skills for programmers.

Hard skills usually include:

Java
SQL
Python
Cloud-based and web services
.NET frameworks
Agile project management

Soft skills include:

Solving problems
Communicating with others
Motivation
Innovative thinking
Attention to detail
Researching

Do you need work experience to be a programmer?

Showing employers your experience and a proven track record of solving problems is very important for programmers looking to succeed in their careers. Entry onto graduate schemes or for senior programming positions is competitive so you should focus on building experience as soon as possible. This might be through university work, personal projects, placements or junior roles.