Degree type: BSc (Hons)
UCAS Code: G451 BSc/WDD
Duration: 4 years (full-time)
How to Apply
Why choose this course?
The industry requires professionals whose knowledge extends across a range of subjects. This course will help you become a successful web designer/developer, able to create rich, dynamic and innovative Internet applications on your own or in a multi-disciplinary team. Choose this course and you will create impressive and effective web sites that engage people and deliver with a punch. You will become a valuable professional with a well-balanced approach to developing modern Internet applications.
'Design' has many meanings. In this course, 'design' means system and interaction design. You will, however, develop sufficient understanding of aesthetic design to collaborate with professional visual designers.
In first year, you lay down strong foundations by acquiring an appreciation of design principles, plus the structures and conventions of programming in general, web pages in particular and of the databases that power modern websites. Working in an academic way, you become self-reliant and gain many core skills.
In year 2, you consolidate and extend your skills, investigating subjects that allow you to produce effective sites that are based on web standards. You learn how to provide scripting that enhances the user experience. Web designers and developers provide services to business, so you will also learn about marketing and law.
You then move up a gear, working on complex subjects on your own and in groups. You gain detailed knowledge of database-driven Internet applications and Rich Internet Applications. You'll design and create a large application as a key member of a project team, learning valuable techniques for managing software projects.
During your Honours year, you study a range of subjects that set you apart from the ordinary designer/developer! Topics include security, search technologies, approaches for enterprise-scale Internet applications, etc. These exciting topics not only provide learning, but inspiration and encouragement. You will also undertake a complex Honours project.
How you learn
Much of your learning will be within lectures, tutorials and practical activities. Lectures present key concepts, theories and techniques. Tutorials and practical activities increase your understanding and by collaborating with other students of all years, develop competences and build confidence. Emphasis is also on the development of self-directed learning. You actively participate in the learning process and are encouraged to develop your own lines of enquiry. You are encouraged to learn from leading thinkers about the web now and in the future, analysing their ideas and integrating them into your own view of best practice.
How you are assessed
In the first two years, your work is assessed entirely through coursework. You build and present a portfolio of your work each year. In the later years, assessment is by a mixture of exams and coursework.
Higher BBCC; A Level CCD; ILC (H) BBBC; UCAS Tariff 216-220 points*
*See UCAS Tariff Guidance below
Essential subjects: English or a literate subject (e.g. History) at Higher/A Level, and a numerate subject (eg Computing or Maths) at Standard Grade/GCSE
Advanced entry (year 2)
Advanced Higher or A Level: ABB (to include grade A in Computing plus HTML ability)
UCAS Tariff Guidance
Although there is no limit to the number of points that you can accumulate, for entry to Abertay you must have qualifications at an appropriate level (SCQF 6/NQF 3); you cannot count the same or similar qualifications twice; Standard Grades, Intermediate 2s, GCSEs and key/core skills cannot be counted; and D grades at SQA Higher and Advanced Higher are not counted.
Applicants who have taken either SQA Highers or A Levels must offer at least three Highers or two A Levels for degree entry (or two Highers or one A Level for DipHE entry). If you have studied a subject at two different levels, the most advanced will be taken into consideration; e.g. if you studied both Higher Biology and Advanced Higher Biology, then only the Advanced Higher will be counted.
Overseas/EU
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are listed here
Mature
Applications from mature students are assessed on the same criteria used for school leavers, e.g. SQA Highers or GCE A Levels, where relevant school leaving qualifications exist. For those without standard entry qualifications, consideration is given to experience gained as well as professional qualifications and other forms of learning that could provide evidence of ability to benefit from a particular course.
The successful completion of approved access courses (such as those offered by Dundee College in association with the universities of Abertay, Dundee and St Andrews) provides significant evidence of ability to benefit from study at Abertay.
For further advice please use our Ask a Question section.
Your future
Traditional computer programs are being replaced by Internet-based applications, and the boundaries between the Internet and desktop are becoming blurred. Demand for great designer/developers has grown, and our graduates have found great jobs in the public and private sectors, working on projects ranging from small to global.
One recent graduate, Andrew Cairns, got his career off to a flying start when he was nominated for, and became a finalist in, the Young Software Engineer of the Year.
Choose this course and, with a good Honours degree, you should be well-positioned to move into management or consultancy. You will also be encouraged to think about developing your own business enterprise.
Professional accreditation
The course is accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, as meeting the educational requirement for CITP registration subject to committee approval in 2010.
| Fee Category | September 2012 Fees |
Scholarships & Bursaries |
| Scottish and other EU students |
The 2012 fee will be announced Apply to the Student Awards Agency |
Other forms of support |
| English, Welsh and Northern Irish students |
£7000 per year (max. amount payable You can apply for financial assistance, |
Bursaries & Scholarships |
| Overseas (non EU) students |
£9975 per year. Fees may be subject to annual increase. |
Overseas Scholarships |
Fees shown are payable annually, and may be subject to increase each year.
