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Web developer

Alternative titles for this job include Front end developer, back end developer, full stack developer

Web developers use computer code to create and maintain websites and applications.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

as a contractor / self-employed as customers demand

Meet Pauline

Pauline creates and manages websites in her day job, but is also a freelancer with her own coding business.

A woman stood in a bright room smiling over an open laptop which has stickers on the back.
BBC Bitesize logo

She coded in secret until she found a coding community for women.

Watch Pauline’s story on BBC Bitesize Careers

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Web developer

You can get into this job through:

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

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • web design and development
  • computer science
  • digital media development
  • software engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course that might help you get a trainee developer job.

Courses include:

  • Level 3 Certificate in Web Design and Development
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development
  • Level 4 Diploma in Software Development

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do an apprenticeship such as:

  • Software Development Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Software Developer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You might be able to start as a junior developer and do training on the job.

More Information

Career tips

You could build up your skills and knowledge using free online learning resources for:

  • programming languages
  • project management
  • software development methods

You can find free online courses through the Skills Toolkit.

Further information

You can get more advice about working in computing from TechSkills and The Chartered Institute for IT.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to write computer programs
  • persistence and determination
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • maths knowledge
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You'll usually work as part of a development team and could:

  • meet clients to work out what they need
  • create plans and prototypes with the design team to decide how the website or application will fit together
  • write code in different programming languages
  • build databases and transfer information between databases using Applications Program Interfaces (APIs)
  • use software to create the layout of buttons, links and pictures

Working environment

You could work in an office, at a client's business or from home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

 With experience, you could:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Cloud Engineer

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: HERE & NOW, THAMES VALLEY PARK, READING

Apprentice Support Developer

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: HERE & NOW, THAMES VALLEY PARK, READING
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

L3 Certificate in Software Development

  • Provider: DN COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Scunthorpe

19+ Level 3 Diploma in Software Development

  • Provider: RUNSHAW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 17 December 2024
  • Location: Not known
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Skills assessment

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Speak to an adviser

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