MSc Web Development

Program Overview

Roehampton's MSc Web Development blends computing and digital media skills, preparing students for careers in web development. Through workshops and seminars, students develop proficiency in software development, databases, web design, and cybersecurity. The program offers an optional industrial placement year for real-world experience, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the tech industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Our MSc Web Development provides a blend of computing and digital media skills to set you up for success in the industry. You'll learn in an environment that prepares you for your career - most of your classes are seminars and workshops in practical lab spaces. This course is available as an extended masters for international students.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• The MSc Web Development program is offered as a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) program.
• It is a 180-credit program for the MSc, 120-credit for the PGDip, and 60-credit for the PGCert.

Modules:

Level 7:

Compulsory Modules:

• Software Development 1: Introduces fundamental concepts, methodologies, and techniques of software development.
Students will practice programming skills in a high-level language, designing, implementing, building, executing, and testing software applications.
• Databases: Builds foundational knowledge in data modeling, access, and modification.
• Software Development 2: Builds upon Software Development 1 by examining object-oriented and event-driven programming paradigms.
Covers object design, inheritance, encapsulation, event handlers, and development of Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) applications. Includes software design paradigms, design patterns, and fundamental concepts of graphics and visualization. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of an industrial standard Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like Microsoft Visual Studio or JetBrains’ IntelliJ.
• Cyber Security: Explores computer security risks and mitigations.
Incorporates ethical practice, risk management, legal considerations, and technology-based solutions. Covers privacy from philosophical, legal, and ethical perspectives, foundational computer security principles (policies, legal frameworks, CIA, threats, attacks), secure design, cryptography, human factors, interface design, and governance.
• Web Design 1: Introduces the foundations of front-end web development.
• Web Design 2: Builds upon Web Design 1, introducing advanced front-end web development topics.
Enables students to design, create, and test sophisticated user interfaces. Covers empirical research methods for design briefs, usability, accessibility, development, and design best practices, advanced tools (development frameworks, JavaScript, CSS pre-processors, responsive design, flexible layouts), integration with web frameworks and content management systems (Drupal, WordPress), data storage and security, professional practice issues, and emerging web development technologies.

Optional Modules:

• Industrial Placement: Allows students to undertake an optional placement in industry (sandwich year) between the second and third year of their program.
This module is taken as an addition to the standard 360 credits of the 3-year degree. The placement enables you to develop your skills by working in an industrial setting relevant to your degree of study. It thus complements and builds on the employability skills developed in the first two years of the degree programme. The Industrial Placement is a 12-month full-time work placement in industry with graduate-level learning opportunities. If a 12-month placement is not possible, or is cut short, a minimum of 9 months of placement work must be undertaken. The aim of the placement is to apply your degree learning to real-world tasks in the workplace. As the Industrial Placement is an optional 20 credit module (additional credits to the 360 credits needed to graduate), the credits gained will be excluded when calculating your final degree classification.
• Work Placement: Allows students to undertake an optional placement during the summer of their MSc program.
This module is taken as an addition to the standard 180 credits of the postgraduate degree. The placement enables you to develop your skills by working in an industrial setting relevant to your degree of study. The Work Placement is a 3-month full-time work placement in industry with graduate-level learning opportunities. The goal is to gain industrial experience which will be beneficial to your career on completion of your MSc. As the Work Placement is an optional 20 credit module (additional credits to the 180 credits needed to graduate), the credits gained will be excluded when calculating your final degree classification.
• MSc Project: Allows students to explore a topic of their choosing based on their own interests as agreed and supported via a member of the academic team.
The project provides an opportunity for students to research and deliver a significant piece of individual work that incorporates the practical and analytical skills presented in their programme. The Final-Year project will enable students to explore a topic of their choice. There are four project-types planned: •Student-defined. •Academic-defined (research-based). •Industry-defined. •Social enterprise. All projects will be signed-off by an academic supervisor. The students’ goal is to produce a product and supporting report.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

• Authentic assessments that replicate the working world of web development.
• Projects, tasks, and exercises designed to prepare students for life after graduation.
• Portfolio of diverse practical work to showcase skills and set students apart in the job market.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• Active blended learning style.
• Most lectures replaced by workshops and seminars.
• Learning environment focused on collaborative working in practical lab spaces.
• Environment based on working in the IT industry.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Technical Product Manager
• UX/UI Designer for Web Applications
• DevOps Engineer
• Digital Project Manager
• Web Security Analyst
• Technical Writer (Specialising in Web Technologies)
• Quality Assurance (QA) Tester for Web Applications
• Web Accessibility Specialist

Other:

• The program requires no previous undergraduate experience in computing.
• Students will learn software development through a comprehensive introduction to programming with Python before moving on to full-stack development with JavaScript.
• Students will also study basic and advanced web design to ensure they graduate as well-rounded developers with a flair for digital media.
• The program offers an optional industrial placement year for valuable work experience.

Tuition Fees and Funding:

September 2024 entry tuition fees (UK) Level of study Full-time Part-time MSc £9,713 £5,099 PGDip £6,475 £3,400 PGCert £3,238 £1,700

• average fee per year
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. September 2024 entry tuition fees (international) Level of study Full-time Part-time MSc £17,325 £9,096 PGDip £11,550 £6,064 PGCert £5,775 £3,032
• average fee per year
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries.