Software Developers

How to Become a Software Developer

Derrick Mbabazi

Derrick Mbabazi

— 7 min read
How to Become a Software Developer
Photo by Luke Peters / Unsplash

Software developers are the people who build the digital tools we use every day—from apps on your phone to systems that run banks, hospitals, and games. If you enjoy solving problems, working with computers, and creating new things, this could be the perfect career for you.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to become a software developer.

What Do Software Developers Do?

Software developers create and test computer programs. These programs help people do everyday tasks, run services, or use devices. You might build a website, develop a mobile app, or create systems used by companies.

Salary and Work Hours

  • Starting salary: around £30,000 a year
  • Experienced developers: up to £75,000 a year
  • Hours: 37 to 40 hours a week, sometimes evenings or weekends

Ways to Become a Software Developer

There’s no single path to becoming a developer. You can go to university, college, do an apprenticeship, teach yourself, or join a graduate scheme. Let’s break each one down:

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The entry requirements listed in the "Ways to Become" section (this section) are based on the UK education system. Rest assured, the other sections—like day-to-day tasks, required skills and career progression are useful for anyone worldwide exploring a career in software development.

1. University Route

You can study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma (HND), or a full degree in subjects like:

  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Financial Technology
  • Maths

Entry Requirements:

  • 1–2 A levels (or equivalent) for a foundation degree or HND
  • 2–3 A levels (or equivalent) for a full degree

2. College Route

College courses can help you get started or prepare you for further study. Look for courses in:

  • Computing
  • Programming
  • Computer Science
  • Principles of Coding
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development

Entry Requirements:

  • Usually 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths

3. Apprenticeship Route

Apprenticeships let you learn while you work. You’ll get hands-on training and study part-time. Options include:

  • Level 3: Software Development Technician
  • Level 4: Software Developer or DevOps Engineer
  • Level 6: Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (Degree Level)
  • Level 7: Game Programmer (Master’s Level)

Entry Requirements:

  • For Level 3: 5 GCSEs including English and maths
  • For higher levels: GCSEs plus A levels or equivalent

4. Graduate Training Scheme

If you already have a degree, some companies offer graduate training schemes in tech—even if your degree isn't in computing. These programs help you gain real experience and start a career in software development.

5. Self-Taught Route

You don’t need a degree or formal training to become a software developer. Many people (including myself) teach themselves using online courses, books, and practice.

If you're self-taught, you'll need to:

  • Pick a beginner-friendly programming language like Python or JavaScript
  • Use free or paid learning platforms (like freeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, or YouTube)
  • Build real projects to practice what you learn
  • Create a portfolio website to show your work
  • Learn version control tools like Git and GitHub
  • Join online communities to get support and feedback

Entry requirements:
No official qualifications needed—just time, focus, and consistency.

Skills You’ll Need

To do well as a software developer, you should have:

  • Good problem-solving and analytical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Basic math skills
  • Creativity and new ideas
  • Teamwork and communication skills
  • Knowledge of programming and computer systems
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Build small projects to apply what you learn, join online coding communities for support, and keep practicing regularly to improve your skills.

Skills and Knowledge Needed to Be a Software Developer

Being a software developer is like trying to solve a huge, ever-changing puzzle. You're not just writing code—you’re solving problems, building things from scratch, and figuring out how to make systems work better and faster. So, what does it really take to become a great developer?

Let’s break it down.

1. Analytical Thinking Skills

This means being good at looking at a problem, breaking it into parts, and figuring out what’s really going wrong. Think of it like being a digital detective—you need to spot bugs (mistakes), trace where things go wrong, and decide how to fix them.

2. Attention to Detail

One tiny typo in your code—like missing a semicolon—can crash the whole thing. Developers need to catch small errors and be thorough when testing and reviewing code. If you're someone who notices when a picture frame is slightly crooked, this is your kind of skill.

3. Maths Knowledge (Especially Logic and Algebra)

You don’t need to be a math genius, but understanding logic, patterns, and how to work with numbers helps a lot. Many programming tasks use math behind the scenes, especially when dealing with algorithms, data, or games.

4. Creativity and Innovation

Software isn’t just about following steps—it’s about finding new ways to make things better. Can you think outside the box? Developers often build tools no one has made before, or they take old tools and improve them in clever ways.

5. Complex Problem-Solving Skills

Sometimes, things don’t work for reasons you can’t see right away. You’ll need patience and skill to dig into the problem, test different fixes, and keep going until it’s solved. Kind of like a video game boss battle—it takes strategy and persistence.

6. Excellent Verbal Communication Skills

Developers don’t just work alone—they’re often part of a team. You’ll need to explain your ideas clearly, talk through problems, or ask for help. Whether you're in meetings or chatting with teammates online, clear communication keeps the project moving.

7. Knowledge of Systems Analysis and Development

This is about understanding how software and hardware work together. You’ll learn how to plan, design, and improve systems. It’s like being an architect, but for digital spaces—making sure everything fits and flows properly.

8. Ability to Write Computer Programs

This is the core of what you’ll do—writing the actual code. You’ll need to learn one or more programming languages (like Python, JavaScript, or C++) and understand how to use them to build apps, websites, software tools, and more.

9. Understanding Computer Systems and Applications

You’ll need a solid understanding of how operating systems, databases, networks, and different software work. The more you know about how systems connect and interact, the better you can build things that work well and solve real problems.

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Being a software developer isn’t just about coding. It’s about thinking clearly, solving problems, and constantly learning. If you enjoy puzzles, patterns, building things, and a little bit of chaos—this might just be the perfect path for you.

A Day in the Life of a Software Developer

Some think software developers type code all day, but is it just that? No. There’s planning, teamwork, problem-solving, testing, and a lot of fixing along the way. Every day brings something different, but here’s a look at the main things developers do on a regular basis.

1. Chatting with Clients About What They Need

Before anything gets built, developers talk to clients or users to understand what they want the software to do. Think of it like asking someone what kind of house they want—how many rooms, what style, and what it needs to include. This is a smart move as it gives developers a clear picture.

2. Working with a Team to Plan the Build

Once the goals are clear, developers meet with their technical team—other devs, designers, and maybe project managers—to map out what to build and how long it’ll take.

3. Writing or Updating Code

This is the part most people picture—developers write code to bring the plan to life. It could be creating something from scratch or updating old code to make it better.

4. Testing, Testing, Testing

As parts of the software get built, developers test them to find bugs (mistakes) and fix them. This happens at every stage, not just at the end.

5. Making Sure Everything Meets Quality Standards

Software has to follow certain rules and quality checks. Developers make sure their work meets industry standards (yes, there are industry standards to follow) so the final product is safe, fast, and works well.

6. Keeping Track of Every Change

Developers don’t just build and move on—they record (comment on) every change they make and why. This helps the team understand what happened, especially if something breaks later.

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In programming, commenting is when developers write short notes inside the code to explain what it does, why something was added, or how a part works. These comments are not run by the computer—they’re just for humans reading the code.

7. Final Checks Before Launch

Before software is released, it goes through final testing. Developers make sure everything works as expected and there are no last-minute bugs.

8. Maintaining and Supporting Systems

Even after the software is “done,” the work isn’t over. Developers stick around to fix bugs, answer questions, and update things as needed. Like a builder who comes back to do repairs or upgrades later on.

Software development isn’t just about sitting behind a screen and coding—it's a mix of planning, teamwork, problem-solving, and ongoing care. Whether you're fixing bugs, building new features, or helping clients, each day brings a new part of the journey.

Career Progression: Where Software Development Can Lead

Starting as a software developer is just the beginning. With time and experience, you can move into more advanced roles or shift into related areas. Isn't that great? Here are some common paths you can take as your career grows:

1. Become a Senior Developer

After gaining experience, you could move into a senior developer role. This usually involves leading projects, reviewing code from other developers, mentoring junior team members, and helping set technical direction.

2. Manage Development Projects

If you’re interested in planning and organization, you could become a project manager. This role focuses on managing deadlines, budgets, and teams to make sure development work is delivered smoothly and on time.

There are several related areas you can move into, such as:

  • Systems Design: Planning how different parts of a software system will work together.
  • IT Architecture: Designing the overall structure of large IT systems and making technical decisions.
  • Business Systems Analysis: Studying business needs and helping design systems that solve real-world problems.

4. Start Your Own Business or Work as a Consultant

With enough knowledge and experience, you can choose to work for yourself. Many developers become freelancers, consultants, or start their own tech companies. This path offers more independence and the chance to work with a variety of clients.

In Summary:
Software development offers many ways to grow. Whether you want to stay technical, take on leadership, or branch into new areas, there’s plenty of opportunity to shape your career based on your strengths and interests.

Now that you’ve learned what it takes and what the job’s like, will you take the leap and become a software developer? Or would you like to explore more careers to find the perfect fit for you?

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