MSc Software Development (Part Time) at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

This part-time option of the MSc in Software Development is designed with industry for graduates of non-computing disciplines. It is taught online in the evenings (one to two evenings a week per semester) over 3 years so students can study while in full-time employment, with live online lectures, interactive labs and optional on-campus labs. It can be completed in 2 years by undertaking a dissertation project or Mini Project modules full-time in the third semester of year two.

Department: School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | Duration: 3 years part-time (can be completed in 2 years) | Intake: September 2026 | Study mode: part-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules are Programming (40 credits) and Computing Foundations (20 credits), with further study in databases, web development, software engineering and problem solving.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for a range of roles in the computing industry; students can take part in employment and professional skills workshops and networking events with Belfast software employers.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent, in any discipline excluding Computer Science or similar computing degrees. Applicants not meeting this may be considered under Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning. Apply ideally by 30 June 2026 for a late-September start; applications after 12 August 2026 may not be accepted. A deposit is required to secure a place. International applicants: IELTS 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 (taken within the last 2 years) or equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 7,700 a year (2026/27). Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland fee; part-time route, fees quoted per single year of study Source

International applicants: GBP 27,600 a year (2026/27). International and EU Other fee; part-time route, fees quoted per single year of study Source

Intake: September 2026

Duration: 3 years part-time (can be completed in 2 years)

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