Web developer
Web developers create and maintain websites and web applications.
Salary Range: £20,000 to £50,000
How to become a web developer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- web design and development
- computer science
- digital media development
- software engineering
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
College
You could do a college course that may help you to get a trainee developer’s job. Courses include:
- Level 3 Diploma in Web Development
- T level in Digital Production, Design and Development
- Level 4 Diploma in Software Development
- Level 5 Diploma in Computing
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
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Apprenticeship
You could take a software developer higher apprenticeship, or a higher apprenticeship for IT, software and web professionals.
You could also do a digital and technology solutions degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Work
You may be able to start as a junior developer and improve your skills and knowledge by completing further training and qualifications while you work.
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Career tips
Make sure that you’re up to date with the latest industry trends and web development standards.
Further information
You can get more advice about working in computing from Tech Future Careers and The Chartered Institute for IT.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to write computer programs
- persistence and determination
- analytical thinking skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to use your initiative
- maths knowledge
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties might include:
- meeting clients to discuss what they want their site to do
- preparing a design plan
- deciding which branding, text, colours and backgrounds to use
- laying out pages and positioning buttons, links and pictures using design software
- adding multimedia features like sound, animation and video
- testing and improving the design and site
- uploading the site to a server
Working environment
You could work from home, in an office or at a client’s business.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could specialise in a particular area, like e-commerce or move up to a more senior role like lead programmer or project leader.
You could also move into other IT fields, like systems analysis or IT project management.