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BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development Degree

Learn how to tackle the latest build challenges facing the creative industries with a 2-year BA/BSC (Hons) web development degree.

Available to start in January or September
BA/BSc (Hons) Web Design & Development Degree
Campuses
Glasgow, Liverpool, London
Fees
BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development Degree
Domestic Fees
London

January 2025: £11,100 per year

From September 2025: £11,440 per year

The annual tuition fee is fully funded via Student Finance England for eligible home-fee students.

Glasgow

£11,440 per year

Partial funding is available for eligible home fee applicants who are residents of Scotland via the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

Liverpool

January 2025: £11,100 per year

From September 2025: £11,440 per year

The annual tuition fee is fully funded via Student Finance England for eligible home-fee students.

BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development Degree
International Fees
London

JANUARY 2025
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*:
 £15,000 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £11,100 per year


FROM SEPTEMBER 2025:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*:
 £16,500 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £12,500 per year

*Student visa required

For more information regarding SAE’s EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy, please read the SAE UK EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy.

Glasgow

International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £14,000 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £10,000 per year

*Student visa required

For more information regarding SAE’s EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy, please read the SAE UK EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy.

Liverpool

JANUARY 2025
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*:
 £15,000 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £11,100 per year


FROM SEPTEMBER 2025:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*:
 £16,500 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £12,500 per year

*Student visa required

For more information regarding SAE’s EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy, please read the SAE UK EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy.

Duration(s)
2 years full-time
BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development Degree
Course Durations
2 years full-time
Start Date(s)
January and September 2025
BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development Degree
Start Dates
Glasgow
  • January and September 2025

Liverpool
  • January and September 2025

London
  • January and September 2025

Entry Requirements
BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development Degree
Domestic Entry Requirements
Domestic students must meet one of the following criteria:
Degree entry Offers will be made to applicants who are expected to meet, or exceed the entry requirements below, in addition to supplying a personal statement:
72 UCAS points
GCSE level A* - C in English AND Mathematics 9 - 4 (or equivalent). For students studying in Scotland this is equivalent to National 5, C grade
Personal statement
Non-standard entry routes SAE Institute will accept non-standard entry applications, which do not meet the 72 UCAS points or equivalent, and/or maths/English at level 2 or equivalent as required:
Portfolio of related work - This could include recordings, films, sketch books, a blog or any suitable medium that gives you the best opportunity to show us your creative potential.
Successful pass mark achieved via the SAE UK Maths test
Academic Essay
Further Domestic Entry Information
For more information, please look at our Domestic Entry page
Domestic Entry Requirements
BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development Degree
International Entry Requirements
English language requirements Students whose first language is not English will need a qualification that demonstrates competence in English, equivalent to UK GCSE (Level 2) grade 4 (c) or above. Equivalent qualifications can be accepted, where these qualifications have been verified by ENIC and are adopted widely within the UK Higher Education sector, including:
IELTS (UKVI or Academic) (minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall score of 6.0)
www.ielts.org
Pearson Test of English (minimum 59 in all subscores)
www.pearsonpte.com
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (minimum grade C)
www.cambridgeenglish.org
Cambridge English: Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (B2 First) – minimum grade C
TOEFL (IBT or IBT Home Edition online) 72 overall with the following component scores:
  • Listening – 17
  • Writing – 17
  • Speaking – 20
  • Reading – 18
www.ets.org/toefl
LanguageCert ESOL examinations:
  • International ESOL C1 Expert – pass in all four components
  • International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) – minimum 33 in all components
  • ESOL Integrated Skills in English II – pass in all components
www.languagecert.org
• IELTS Indicator* (online) – minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall score of 6.0
*Accepted on exceptional basis for the applicants whose local test centres are affected by closures due to Covid-19
IELTS
Further International Entry Information
For more information, please look at our International Entry page
International Entry Requirements

What you can expect from your degree

Keen to kickstart your web development journey? At SAE, take a fast-tracked path towards an exciting creative career with our 2-year degree in web development. Compared to a traditional 3-year university route, you’ll reach your career goals sooner with our unique trimester-based approach, meaning a role as a web designer and/or developer will be quickly in your sights. 

Across your degree, you’ll study in our state-of-the-art PC and Mac labs, equipped with web development hardware and software essentials from top brands like Adobe and React. You’ll learn to code in languages including JavaScript, Python, CSS, SQL and HTML and explore advanced concepts such as responsive design and colour theory. As an SAE student, you’ll have full access to Adobe Creative Cloud programmes, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver, to help you create wireframes, mock-ups and web designs. So, whether you’re passionate about crafting user-friendly interfaces or building robust back-end systems, you’ll learn to use the latest website technologies with confidence thanks to SAE’s accelerated web developer degree

Web like a pro

Throughout the course, you’ll build a comprehensive web design and development skillset. As you learn, you’ll be guided every step of the way by our industry Experts – seasoned professionals and educators at the forefront of the web industry. They’ll make sure you have a solid understanding of how the web industry works, plus vital business, marketing and legal skills. You’ll work together to conceive your Major Project – an in-depth study of a particular area of web development/design interest, planned in Trimester 5 and implemented in Trimester 6. 

Whether you’re drawn to emerging technologies or interested in industry-specific theory, this web designer degree will provide you with a platform to refine your academic and technical skills in line with your future career.

At the end of your 2 years with us, you’ll graduate with advanced web development abilities, a solid grasp of industry trends, an impressive real-world portfolio and a powerful network of creative connections – your dream web career really does start here!

A close-up photo of a pair of students.

What you'll learn

At the end of your 2-year web development degree you will:
  • Design and develop interactive web applications using coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python and SQL.
  • Learn to confidently use Adobe Creative Cloud programmes including Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver.
  • Gain an understanding of back-end web development, exploring databases, SQL operations and content management systems.
  • Collaborate with fellow students from other SAE disciplines on your web projects, such as game developers, animators, filmmakers and musicians.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios and develop an employment-ready portfolio.
  • Enhance your problem-solving and teamwork skills.
  • Build a network of connections across the creative industries – from peers to professionals.
  • Graduate with a well-rounded web development degree from a recognised creative institute, ready to launch your career.
  • Website development degree courses begin in January and September.

Your career in web design and development begins now

COURSE STRUCTURE

The BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development degree is an accelerated 2-year degree, split over 6 trimesters. Its structure follows 3 distinct stages – each designed to help you develop specific skills. Dividing it this way sees you graduate as a well-rounded web professional with a universal understanding of the entire website design and development process.

• Stage 1 (T1 and T2) provides a foundation of core technical knowledge.
• Stage 2 (T3 and T4) broadens your skills, exploring new areas of web design and development.
• Stage 3 (T5 and T6) is all-encompassing, covering every aspect of web development from conception to completion, including entrepreneurial skills like project management, workflows and marketing.
Trimester 1
Your learning journey begins with web design and development essentials that underpin the principles you’ll explore across your web development degree. You’ll learn how to use coding languages and develop aesthetically appealing and responsive websites.
In this module, you’ll learn to design and develop web applications with HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), advanced CSS selectors and animation, and responsive design. You’ll also examine World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) guidelines and validation and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), as well as exploring project management skills and best practices in web design and development.

Topics include:

  • History of web development
  • Web development technologies
  • Introduction to theoretical programming fundamentals
  • HTML Document Object Model (DOM) and semantic tags
  • Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and advanced selectors
  • CSS animation and parallax scrolling effects
  • External libraries and frameworks
  • W3C guidelines and validation
  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Across this module, you’ll discover the principles and practical tools of web design. Exploring design concepts, user experience and visual communication, you’ll learn to use design fundamentals to meet specific user needs. You’ll also gain a firm foundation in best practices and industry standards, developing an understanding of the theoretical foundations you need to work professionally in the web industry.

Topics include:

  • Elements and principles of design
  • Colour theory basics
  • Web design fundamentals
  • Responsive design principles
  • Using and choosing website layouts
  • Design process
  • Photo editing and vector graphics
  • Web prototyping (low fidelity and high fidelity)
  • User-centred design principles
  • Intellectual property & copyright

Trimester 2
Across your second trimester, you’ll be introduced to the core principles and processes of front-end and back-end web development tools and technologies.
Throughout this module, you’ll discover the basics of user interaction and front-end development for the web. You’ll also learn how to handle complex user interactions and progress your programming skills by creating an interactive and responsive web application.

Topics include:

  • Front-end scripting languages
  • DOM manipulation and HTML events
  • Effective grid system
  • JavaScript programming, libraries, and frameworks
  • Responsive design and development
  • Node.js and GitHub
  • Asynchronous requests to third-party API’s and data manipulation
  • Animations and micro-interactions with JavaScript
  • Preparation of a plan for a project’s development and delivery
Focusing on the back-end of web applications, you’ll explore web and database servers, structured query language (SQL) and Content Management Systems (CMS). You’ll also discover the interrelationship between front-end and back-end development, and hone your presentation skills to help you pitch concepts and project ideas.

Topics include:

  • Routing and URL manipulation
  • Back-end scripting language
  • Database design
  • SQL CRUD operations
  • Introduction to web servers
  • Web app validation
  • Web server administration
  • API design and data manipulation
  • MVC software design pattern
  • Content Management Systems
Trimester 3
In Trimester 3, you’ll undertake a number of project briefs using a practical ‘creative studio’ approach. This sees you introduced to a professional web development working environment, as you participate in authentic assessment activities that reflect current web industry practices.
You’ll further develop your professional practice during this trimester. Learning to design and develop web apps while applying relevant design patterns, you’ll examine Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) data structures, native object structures and principles like encapsulation, abstraction and inheritance.

Topics could cover:

  • Key concepts and methods of selecting a native programming language
  • Mobile database management system
  • Introduction to Mobile OS SDK
  • Mobile MVC Software Design Pattern
  • Mobile OS activity lifecycle
  • Device configurations and alternative resources
  • Mobile OS logging and debugging
  • Mobile OS versions and issues
Trimester 4
Your focus this trimester will be on developing an understanding of professional workflows so you can create environments and develop websites in real time.
Across the second Creative Studio trimester, you’ll gain online and social media marketing knowledge and skills while studying marketing’s role and value in successful web campaigns. You’ll cover Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and market analysis, plus learn to use these as tools for better product placement. Exploring the techniques, platforms, tools, principles and practices used in efficient digital and social media marketing, you’ll gain project management abilities to help you lead and manage teams effectively and deliver successful projects.

Topics could cover:

  • Fundamental of online marketing and digital marketing strategy
  • SEO and social media promotion
  • Ecommerce and content management systems (CMS)
  • Epayment systems
  • Viral marketing, guerilla marketing and email marketing
  • Tracking and analysis
  • Usability of online marketing
  • Project and time management
  • Leading a team and team success strategies
Trimester 5
As you approach the end of your learning, you’ll choose an area of the web development industry to specialise in and continue to hone your skills accordingly.
This module lets you tailor your learning to specific areas of professional interest through the creation of your own practical research project or real-world web industry projects. Using skills and knowledge gained to date, you’ll construct and develop advanced web and mobile apps and may potentially explore emerging development tools and technologies such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), gamification, virtual reality (VR) and the Internet of Things. You’ll also complete work-based learning through web development industry work placements and live briefs, leading to the creation of an impressive portfolio.

Topics could cover:

  • Research methodologies
  • Application in the creative media industries
  • Industry engagement analysis
  • Project design, development, and testing
  • Time and project management
  • Building and deploying a functional portfolio website, web app or mobile app
  • Work experience
Trimester 6
In this final module, you’ll demonstrate what you’ve learned to date across a large-scale advanced-level project.
Your final trimester sees you complete the Major Project you designed, scoped and approved during Trimester 5. This in-depth module allows you to advance your knowledge and skills in your chosen area, serving as a launch pad into a successful web development career. You can also use your Major Project to establish your own business or make connections with web development professionals that may lead to future employment.
UCAS Course Codes
BA (Hons)Web Development W281
University of Hertfordshire
Level 6 This program was developed and is delivered and assessed by SAE Institute, awarded by and quality assured by University of Hertfordshire.

WHY STUDY WEB DEVELOPMENT AT SAE?

Studying at SAE
Accelerated learning
Complete your website development degree in just 2 years, saving time and course costs compared to a traditional university.
Our degrees explained
A group of students working and studying in a computer lab.
World-class facilities
Learn in our state-of-the-art computer labs, where you’ll access top-quality hardware and software like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and more.
Explore more
A tutor teaching creative media.
Expert support
Learn from SAE’s Experts every step of the way for a confident start to your web design and development career.
Meet your mentors
Web development SAE Degree
Creative collaboration
Team up with your fellow SAE web developer degree students, plus those from other disciplines, to make creative magic together.
Web development SAE Degree

Career Outcomes

What Jobs will this course lead to?

  • Web Developer
  • Web Designer
  • App Developer
  • Games Developer
  • Multimedia Programmer
  • Multimedia Specialist
  • UX Designer
  • UX Researcher
  • SEO Specialist
  • Web Content Manager
A close-up photo of web development code.

START YOUR WEB DEVELOPMENT CAREER TODAY

Apply to study the BA/BSs (Hons) Web Development degree and take your website skills to the next level.
Enquire now

Course FAQs

Yes, we are excited to teach our students the latest technologies including photoshop, illustrator and XD to create pleasant and professional website design.

Yes, you will learn how to design and develop a mobile app using a high-level programming language and different platforms such as Android and iPhone.

Yes, we will use a wide range of tools and software such as CMS, front-end and back-end technology, web server and database.

Read more
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