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How to become a software engineer
A Modern Apprenticeship could kickstart your career in software engineering. You could also study Software Engineering or Computer Science at college or university to become a software engineer.
What is a software engineer?
In the NHS, software engineers build technology that improves the care and wellbeing of people using health and social care services.
They work in teams with other digital professionals to:
- produce clean, secure, and efficient code that meets required standards and technical specifications
- test, debug, and deploy technology solutions
- maintain and improve existing products and services
Starting your career as a software engineer
Choosing subjects at school
To get on a college or university course that could lead to a career as a software engineer, useful subjects include:
- Physics
- Computing Science
- Engineering
- English
- Maths
Speak to your guidance teacher about subjects offered at your school.
Work placements and volunteering
You may find it helpful to get some healthcare experience by doing a work placement or volunteering. You’ll get training, increase your knowledge, and learn new skills. This could help you when applying to university, college or a new job with NHSScotland.
Modern Apprenticeships
A Modern Apprenticeship will help you get the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to reach your career goal.
Find out more about the Modern Apprenticeship in IT and Telecommunications.
College and university
To become a software engineer, you could do an HND in Computer Science.
Information about programming boot camps and intensive courses can also be found online.
Widening access
Widening participation supports adult learners who want to go to university. If you’re an adult with few or no qualifications, you could get into higher education through the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP). Many universities also provide access programmes to help you get the degree entry qualifications you need.
Degree programme
Universities in Scotland offer Software Engineering and Computer Science programmes at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
You should check specific entry requirements before applying.
Get to know the role
You’ll find software engineers working in almost all sectors, including healthcare and social care. Services in patient care, including telecare and home health monitoring, are expanding all the time. In the NHS in Scotland, the demand for software developers is high.
You may work on more than one project at a time, depending on the needs and priorities of the organisation. Software engineers usually work in a team with other digital professionals.
Tasks include:
- maintain and improving current products and systems
- produce clean, secure, and efficient code that meets required standards and technical specifications
- integrate software components with third-party applications
- test, debug, and deploy software solutions
- prepare technical specifications and training manuals
- research new technologies that could benefit the organisation
You'll need these skills:
- problem-solving
- communication
- teamwork
- focusing
- sense-making
- curiosity
- collaboration
- organisation
- attention to detail
You’ll also need to have knowledge and experience of:
- cloud technologies
- SQL and NoSQL databases
- continuous integration and deployment processes
- agile methodologies
Software engineers usually work in a team with other digital professionals. The delivery team includes these roles:
- product owner
- delivery manager
- solutions architect
- UX researcher
- UI designer
- tester
- content designer
Software engineers work in an office, or remotely.
Learning and development
During your career as a software engineer, you could gain additional qualifications, such as:
- postgraduate degrees, including a master’s in Software Engineering or Computer Science
- short courses or self-directed learning for opportunities to explore and investigate new tools, technologies, systems, and processes
Career progression
Gaining new qualifications and experience could lead to more senior roles, such as:
- lead software engineer
- technical architect
- development team lead
Explore careers
Discover the skills and qualifications you’ll need for each role and what the work will be like.
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