How to become a web developer
With businesses increasingly relying on their online presence, the need for skilled web developers is on the rise, making it a promising field to consider. Read on to discover whether this is the option for you.
51视频
CONTENTS
-
Routes to becoming a web developer
-
Skills you鈥檒l need
-
Finding work experience
-
How to get a job as a web developer
-
What it's like to be a web developer
If you鈥檙e considering web development as a career, there are various ways of gaining a qualification. You might find an undergraduate degree that suits your interests or decide a degree apprenticeship, is best for you. If you already have relevant experience or an undergraduate degree,鈥痑 postgraduate qualification might be the right path for you.
Undergraduate degrees
While it鈥檚 not essential to have a degree to become a web developer, employers often look for someone with a technical degree. This could be in web design and development or a broader subject such as computer science or information technology. Entry requirements for a web development or computer science degree vary but usually range from 88鈥�170 UCAS points.鈥疉n undergraduate degree will usually take three years to complete or four years if it includes an integrated foundation year or professional placement.
Degree apprenticeships
If you鈥檙e someone who learns in a more practical way, a degree apprenticeship might be worth considering. These courses are employer-led and will usually take the same length of time to complete as an undergraduate degree. You鈥檒l need to apply and attend an interview. A big advantage of this route is that your employer will pay for your studies. A Level 4 apprenticeship is comparable to the first year of an undergraduate course and a Level 6 apprenticeship is equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree.
You might consider web developer or software developer apprenticeships depending on your interests. Search for a vacancy via鈥�.
Postgraduate degrees
A postgraduate degree is not a requirement for an entry level role in web development but might prove useful if you want to progress to a more senior position. A postgraduate degree usually takes a year to complete full time or two years part time. You鈥檒l usually need an undergraduate degree as a minimum entry requirement or relevant experience in the field.
As well as having a sound understanding of computer software, you鈥檒l also need:
-
problem solving and analytical skills
-
attention to detail
-
initiative
-
great communication
-
ability to work independently and as a team
-
project management
-
experience of development methodologies e.g., Agile
-
technical knowledge of web application frameworks, server-side language and database management systems
-
mathematical knowledge
It鈥檚 a good idea to have some work experience to draw on especially if you are thinking of setting yourself up as a freelancer as this will help build your portfolio.
You could try:
-
joining a web development or coding club
-
attending hackathons
-
volunteering for an organisation such as a charity to develop their site or solve an issue
-
building your own sites and applications as an example of your work
-
securing an internship, often found in larger IT companies or web development agencies
As almost all organisations have a web presence, demand for web development is high. You might find a role in an in-house team if work is needed on a regular basis. To find these sorts of opportunities look for jobs in the same place the organisation or industry advertises other roles, often on their own website or specialist press.
A lot of employers need irregular support and will use a web development agency so it鈥檚 worth contacting these agencies too. Alternatively, companies use freelancers so if you set yourself up as self-employed, you鈥檒l want to spend time networking, building up your own contacts and reputation.
As a web developer, you鈥檒l use computer code to build websites and web applications.
Depending on your role and specialisation, your tasks could include:
-
meeting clients to work out what support they need
-
creating plans and prototypes in collaboration with a design team to decide how the website or application will fit together
-
writing code in different programming languages
-
fixing bugs in existing projects
-
building and testing databases and transferring information between databases using Applications Programme Interfaces (APIs)
-
using software to create the layout of buttons, links and pictures
-
researching, incorporating and contributing to open-source project
Depending on how you are employed, you might work from home, at a client鈥檚 business or from an office. You could work as part of an in-house team or you might work independently or through an agency.
Web developers tend to work a standard 37 鈥� 40 hour week which might involve evenings and weekends if you鈥檙e self-employed and suits your clients.
Freelance salaries will vary depending on the number of clients you have and the projects you take on. As an employee, junior web developers can expect to earn between £19,000 - £25,000. Mid-level developers earn between £25,000 and £35,000 and lead developers typically earn between £35,000 and £60,000 depending on the location and size of the company you work for.
To develop your career and keep up to date with the latest changes in technology, it鈥檚 a good idea to join a professional body such as The Chartered Institute for IT. You could also take advantage of free online learning courses in programme language, project management and software development methods.
Is a role as a web developer right for you?
If you enjoy using your creativity in computing and are prepared to keep up to date with the ever-changing work of information technology, then a career as a web developer could be for you.
- READ MORE
- What do graduates do and earn?
Related articles
University tuition fees and financial support in...
An overview of undergraduate university tuition fees and student loans for students from...
University tuition fees and financial support in...
An overview of undergraduate university tuition fees and student finance for students...