Software Development

The programme is designed for applicants with a background of BSc level in computer science or software engineering who want to expand their knowledge and skills in the development of high-quality software. It offers experience from both academic and industry perspective. Software development is examined in all stages of its life cycle.

Teaching deals with different software development approaches, requirements management, software modeling and specification, implementation and testing software, and software project management. The teaching is based on the research and industrial experience of the teachers.

Graduates will have the abilities to participate in demanding and comprehensive software projects at different stages of the project and in various tasks. The proximity of an exceptionally large number of IT companies operating in the region provides an additional asset to the students.

Studies consist of lectures and seminars on theoretical and methodological questions, and supervised individual research for a Master´s thesis.

• Coordinating School: School of Information Sciences
• Duration: two academic years
• Programme period: autumn semester 2015 (late August) - spring semester 2017 (May)
• Extent: 120 credits/ECTS credits
• Specialization: Computer Science

After completing the Master's Degree Programme in Software Development the student has skills and knowledge needed to produce high-quality software in demanding and comprehensive software projects, acting in different roles.
The skills and knowledge come from different areas of software development: requirements management, software modeling and specification, implementation and testing software, and software project management.
Also, the student is capable of undertaking doctoral studies in the area of software development.

Eligible to apply is an applicant who has a completed suitable university level Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Computer Science or in a closely related field including a substantial amount of studies in Computer Science. The previous degree should also include studies in Mathematics.The Bachelor's degree or equivalent must be completed by the time the programme begins. If the degree is not completed by the end of the application period, an applicant can be accepted to the programme on the condition that s/he sends an attested copy of the degree certificate to the School office by the end of July. A successful applicant will, in this case, first receive a notification on conditional acceptance and later an official letter of acceptance once an attested copy of the degree certificate has reached the School office.Language requirementsApplicants must submit evidence on a good command of English for academic purposes.The programme accepts the following ways of indicating English language proficiency: TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language: Minimum score: 90/Internet-based, 575/paper-based IELTS Academic, International English Language Testing System: Minimum score: 6.5 with no individual score below 5.5 PTE, Academic English Language Proficiency test by Pearson: Minimum score: 62For information on how to submit a language test score, please see the UTA Admissions webpage http://www.uta.fi/admissions/degreeprog/applying/language_requirements.html.Other acceptable ways of indicating English language proficiency: A Bachelor's degree in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States, excluding online degrees, with the applicant having stayed in the respective country when studying for the Bachelor's degree. Secondary education in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States. Applicants who have taken their pre-university education (yläaste, lukio) in the Finnish language are not required to submit an international language test score but they must provide other sufficient evidence of their English language proficiency (for example information on studies conducted in English or work experience with English as the working language). It is possible to take some exams and complete the Master's thesis in Finnish. NB: a Bachelor's degree taken in English in Finland does not alone exempt from sending a language test score.Admission criteria by admission groupCandidates for admission should be well qualified and capable of benefiting from the programme of study. The selection of new students is based on the success and the relevance of the applicant's overall study record in the completed Bachelor's degree and other studies evidence of a good command of English for academic purposes the quality of the statement of purpose (motivation letter)In addition, work experience relevant to the programme, and other relevant merits and qualifications may be taken into account.A number of students may be chosen among those applicants with a Bachelor's degree and a good knowledge of English who have been exchange students at UTA studying Computer Science course units relevant to the programme.Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from a Finnish AMK university of applied sciences must have a thesis graded no less than 3/5.Relevance of prior studies and the applicant's motivation are carefully considered. Applicants are expected to explain their reasons for applying to this programme specifically.Applicants who have not yet completed a Master's Degree or equivalent will be given priority in student selection.Complementing studies may be required depending on the student's previous studies. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 575 TOEFL iBT® test: 90