1. Home: Explore careers
  2. E-learning developer

E-learning developer

E-learning developers create course materials that can be studied on a computer network or online.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become an e-learning developer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You can do a foundation degree or degree in:

  • computing
  • multimedia design
  • education
  • educational technology

If you already have a degree or relevant work experience, you can do a postgraduate qualification in e-learning technology.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More information

College

You could take a college course like a Level 3 or 4 Diploma in Computing or Web Design and Development.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths and ICT
  • level 3 qualifications like A levels

More information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to complete an advanced or higher apprenticeship in digital learning design or computing.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent qualifications, for a higher or a degree apprenticeship

More information

Work

You could start out as a junior developer or e-learning assistant, if you've got computing A levels or equivalent. You'll also need a working knowledge of web design software.

More information

Career tips

Blackboard and Moodle are widely used by education institutions and an understanding of how these work will be useful.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Learning and Performance Institute for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about the e-learning industry through the eLearning Network.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • knowledge of English language
  • the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could be:

  • building online training areas known as virtual learning environments (VLEs)
  • adapting off-the-shelf VLE products
  • talking with users to find out about their training needs
  • working with tutors, trainers or development teams to create online learning materials
  • creating interactive multimedia like video clips 
  • modifying content for use on other platforms, like mobile phones or tablets
  • making sure security measures are in place to control access
  • writing training support materials 
  • staying up to date with the latest design methods and technologies
  • maintaining a VLE on an ongoing basis

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

With experience you could progress to a senior development role, IT project management, e-learning research, strategy planning, technical sales and business development. 

You could also move into related areas like educational or training consultancy, educational software development, systems analysis or the computer games industry.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an e-learning developer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Software Development (App Development) - BSc Hons Degree - Topup

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2020
  • Location: Blackpool

IT (Software Development) BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (Edexcel)

  • Provider: St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College
  • Start date: 01 September 2020
  • Location: LONDON
Find courses near you

JobsIn the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Get help using this service

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

More ways to contact us

Is this page useful?

Yes No