Belgium Campus ITversity Articles

It is time to make that all-important decision: what will you do with the rest of your life? It is a huge commitment to choose a career path, as it has such an impact on everything else that follows. This is why looking at careers in the information technology industry is such a great choice. It is one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative industries. However, it is also a huge field with many options. One of the most well-known areas of expertise is software engineering. But how do you know whether this is right for you? Let us take a closer look at what a software engineering course is about:

What is software engineering?

This is a discipline within the field of computer science that involves, amongst other things, both the development and the building of software for computer systems (including operations systems and computing utilities) and applications (including user-focused programmes such as database programmes and web browsers). As basically every modern business is reliant on technology, the course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to apply the above-mentioned functions within a variety of industries.

What careers can you follow with a qualification in software engineering?

Upon successful completion of your course, you can apply your newly acquired skill set to several roles within a variety of different industries. These roles can include, but are not limited to:

• Software Engineer, Designer, or Architect
• Lead Programmer
• Database Designer
• Project Manager
• Product Manager/Owner
• Mobile Application Developer
• Web Application Developer
• Web Application Developer
• Test and Quality-Assurance Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Machine Learning Engineer/Data Scientist
• Data Engineer
• Database Administrator
• Scrum Master

What are the acceptance criteria for a software engineering course?

The necessary qualifications and criteria might differ from institution to institution, based on their requirements, as well as the NQF level of the course. It is advisable to aim for an NQF level 8 course – or more commonly known as a bachelor’s degree. If this is the case, general criteria that can be expected, include:

• You must have a National Senior Certificate that is certified by Umalusi. Foreign students need an equivalent qualification that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has converted
• An English pass rate of 50% or more. Because of the nature of information technology, the global community, and uniform coding language, a firm grasp of English is necessary. Foreign students are required to produce their SAQA converted qualification listing English as a subject or complete an English proficiency test.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is not only applicable, it is very valuable.
• A Maths pass rate of 50% is required for degrees. Students who took Maths Literacy may have to pass an introductory maths module.

Where do I study a software engineering course?

Quality and accessibility should be two of your main considerations. Belgium Campus is a pioneering iTversity in South Africa that delivers on both these factors. Belgium Campus is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and has campuses in Pretoria, Kempton Park, and Port Elizabeth. Feel free to get in touch with any questions about the software engineer course at Belgium Campus iTversity and to find out more about the application process.