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Digital Technologies: Software Development & Programming

  • HNC
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Leicester Campus
More about De Montfort University

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

Designed to meet industry demand, this course develops your ability to design, build and deploy software systems, while building a strong foundation in programming, data management, secure development and modern cloud-based environments.

Software developers are at the heart of today’s digital economy, creating the applications, websites and systems that power modern life. This Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Digital Technologies: Software Development & Programming will equip you with the skills to design, build and deploy software that solves real-world problems.

Delivered as a flexible one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) programme, the course has been developed in collaboration with employers and ensures that everything you learn is directly relevant to industry.

Taking a practical, hands-on approach, you will work across the full software development lifecycle, from initial concept and design through to testing and deployment. Alongside this, you will develop a strong foundation in core digital technologies, including programming, cyber security, data, databases and cloud networking, preparing you for a wide range of roles in software development.

On successful completion, you will be awarded a Level 4 Higher National Certificate, giving you both a recognised qualification and the confidence that your skills are in demand by employers.

Who is it for? This course is designed for a wide range of learners including; school and college leavers, adult returners, career changers, and professionals looking to enter or progress in software development roles. We recognise that balancing study with work and personal commitments can be challenging, which is why this course is delivered in the evenings – offering the flexibility to learn in a way that fits around your life.

How is it delivered? Teaching is delivered in 4 structured 9-week blocks as evening sessions at DMU’s Leicester campus. You will learn via a blend of lectures, seminars and hands-on practical sessions.

What will you study? Eight modules covering professional practice, digital transformation, cyber security, programming, big data and visualisation, cloud networking, database design and the software development lifecycle.

Support and resources: You will have access to professional development environments, version control tools, DMU's computing labs, and the full range of library and digital learning support.

Modules

Professional Practice in the Digital Economy
Innovation & Digital Transformation
Cyber Security
Programming
Big Data & Visualisation
Networking in the Cloud
Database Design & Development
Software Development Lifecycles

Assessment method

Teaching is delivered in 4 structured 9-week blocks as evening sessions at DMU’s Leicester campus. You will learn via a blend of lectures, seminars and hands-on practical sessions.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Leicester Campus

Study options

  • HNC • Full-time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
I300
Institution code:
D26
Campus name:
Leicester Campus
Campus Code:
Y
Points of Entry:
Year 1

De Montfort University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
I300
Institution code:
D26
Campus name:
Leicester Campus
Campus Code:
Y

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
64 points

From at least one A level or equivalent

A level
CC

64 UCAS points from at least one A level

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
MPP

Access to HE Diploma
D: 0 credits M: 15 credits P: 30 credits

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please note, this fee is subject to parliamentary procedure and will also be subject to a compounded annual inflationary increase. It is expected to be confirmed in early 2026 and may change in future years of study.

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