The programme is designed for applicants with a background of BSc level in computer science or software engineering who want to expand their knowledge and skills in the development of high-quality software. It offers experience from both academic and industry perspective. Software development is examined in all stages of its life cycle. The curriculum is anchored in real world problems and deals with different software development approaches, requirements management, software modeling and specification, implementation and testing software, and software project management. It offers students opportunities to participate in developing software or a prototype of a product and managing software projects in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team. The teaching is based on the research and industrial experience of the teachers.

Graduates will have the abilities to participate in demanding and comprehensive software projects at different stages of the project and in various tasks. The proximity of an exceptionally large number of IT companies operating in the region provides an additional asset to the students.

Learning Outcomes

Students having completed the Master’s degree will

• have a thorough command of some aspect of computer sciences
• be familiar with scientific thinking and capable of applying scientific working methods in their own are of specialization
• be motivated for lifelong learning
• be capable of undertaking scientific postgraduate studies
• be capable of applying the knowledge acquired and of functioning in internationalizing working life
• be capable of communicating in scientific situations
• be conversant with the ethical norms of the field and apply these in their own work

After completing the Master's Degree Programme in Software Development the student has skills and knowledge needed to produce high-quality software in demanding and comprehensive software projects, acting in different roles. The skills and knowledge come from different areas of software development: requirements management, software modeling and specification, implementation and testing software, and software project management. Also, the student is capable of undertaking doctoral studies in the area of software development.

Study Planning and Guidance

The Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Master's programme in Software Development have study advisors who give detailed information to degree students on the structure and content of the studies and help the students in planning and updating their HOPS personal study plan.

Working Life Connections

Graduates can work in such positions as software developer, systems specialist, programmer, teacher or researcher. The Master's degree programme also provides the required background for pursuing doctoral research in software development.

Internationalisation

Tampere University is committed to promoting justice and equality in society, to enhancing the well-being of citizens at home and abroad, and to advancing multiculturalism and sustainable development.

Programme studies foster multicultural contacts. Many teachers and students have an international background, and teaching groups combine both international and Finnish students. Language and Intercultural Communication courses are offered by the University Language Centre.

Degree students can apply to take exchange studies abroad and then transfer the credits taken to the University of Tampere (UTA) degree. Both UTA bilateral exchange agreements worldwide and Faculty-level exchange agreements especially in Europe can be utilised. UTA supports taking an internship abroad, and usually it is possible to get ECTS credits for an internship too. Programme students are also encouraged to act as student tutors to new arriving exchange and degree students.

Degree students can include an internationalisation module in their degree certificate if enough internationalising studies have been taken. For more on this please see http://www.uta.fi/studies/study_abroad/internationalization_module.html.