MSc Mobile Device Software Development

Why choose this course?

You will learn how software is developed for open (Android and Java ME) mobile device architectures, standing you in good stead for either employment in the industry, or for starting your own company producing mobile applications.
You will not only know and understand the design and development of mobile software 'apps', but you'll also appreciate how they can be integrated into business environments to achieve competitive advantage and operational efficiency.
You'll be able to produce applications that can be downloaded across the world.
You'll develop the knowledge and techniques to enable your ideas to become commercial reality through ensuring the quality of the design, development, final product, and marketing are of the highest standards.
It covers Android development, interface design principles, emerging computer network architectures and security.
You'll be able to research exciting areas of mobile technologies, tools and techniques and to disseminate your own developments in these areas.
We're working closely with app developer Lothringer Consultants Ltd so you may be able to get experience of working on live commercial projects.
You'll be equipped for a successful career in software development. Alternatively you could pursue further research leading to a PhD.
Study in our state-of-the-art computing facilities
Start in September or January. Study full or part time.

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Fact file

Start date: September and January

Course length: full time: one year, part time: three years.

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

About this course

Mobile devices are now prevalent across the world due mainly to the vast range of software that makes the portable devices essential accessories in the information age.

The software allows the device to be many things, including a satellite navigation system, an internet browser, a personal information assistant, calendar, compass, flash light, barcode scanner or a games console.

The widespread adoption and growth of the mobile device market is due primarily to the ease with which software may be written for, and marketed on mobile devices. Manufacturers without hundreds of apps are struggling to survive against open (Android) platforms which have revolutionised the way in which software is written and deployed for mobile devices.

If you've identified the opportunity that exists to produce cutting edge applications for the dominant mobile device platforms, this course is for you. There's a growing demand for people who not only know and understand the design and development of mobile software apps, but also appreciate how they can be integrated into business environments to achieve competitive advantage and operational efficiency. This demands knowledge of the techniques, technologies, tools and the emerging standards of mobile software development, interface design, integration and exploitation of mobile devices in corporate and commercial networks, in particular, their role in emerging network architectures.

Whether you wish to work for a successful mobile software or games company or you wish to start your own mobile software business, this MSc will prepare you for a successful career.

It covers Android development, interface design principles, emerging computer network architectures and security. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to research exciting areas of mobile technologies, tools and techniques and to disseminate your own developments in these areas.

The course culminates in a development project incorporating what has been learned on the course. Focusing on your chosen specialisation of either mobile software design, development, entrepreneurship or distribution the project gives you the opportunity to produce innovative software. You decide which area your project will be in, and you will have a supervisor to provide the academic advice needed to produce a masters level project.

Scholarships and funding

You can apply for a scholarship or bursary of £1,000 if you're an international student, or a if you've just completed your undergraduate degree at Derby.

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Study part time

Combine work and study - study part time.

Tour our labs

Our computing labs are the envy of the industry. Take the video tour.

Entry requirements

You will need:

An appropriate Honours degree (at least 2.2) or equivalent qualifications/experience in a computing discipline
If English is not your first language you will need to demonstrate proficiency in English (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).

How to apply

Fees and finance

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

£755 per module (you usually take 9 of these modules in total)

International students

Full time: £10,760 (in total)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

How you will learn

How you're assessed

The assessment strategy includes a mix of formative and summative assessments from the development of research strategies to the step stage process of the Research Project

The overall balance of assessment within the programme is approximately 60% written work, 30% project work and reports and 10% presentations.

Careers and employability

As a postgraduate you can pursue a variety of careers including designing, developing, porting or maintaining mobile device software. With the additional focus on entrepreneurship you'll be in an ideal position to either head a department or set up your own business.

There are applications that will benefit small, medium and large companies that are yet to be written (or ported) for the mobile device, and the explosion in apps for Android platforms gives you the opportunity to be one of the first to market in a number of niche areas, developing your own very successful business.

Alternatively, you could undertake further research leading to a PhD