Web Design & Development BSc (Hons)



We offer a comprehensive web applications and interaction design course that explores Web Technologies, User Experience and more

Overview

The main benefits of living in the digital age is the ease of having everything available at our fingertips, whether we are online shopping, doing our banking or carrying out research. This is why having a strong web and digital presence has become a priority for all organisations.

Studying Web Design and Development will enable you to gain the technical and design-related skills you need to succeed in this growing, dynamic area.

This course will cover key areas in web design and development, including web and mobile application programming, interaction design, organisational frameworks, as well as human, cultural, and social issues. This allows you to specialise in this vibrant area while gaining a solid foundation of the broader principles of computing.

Students working inside the group study rooms in Craiglockhart campus.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

7Y7X

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Student stories

Read stories from students of Edinburgh Napier's Computing study area

Course details

In the early stage of this course, you will gain an introduction to web and digital media design, programming for media, and Human-Computer Interaction.  

You will then progress to Interaction Design, database development, designing and programming for different domains, including mobile applications and the Web.

In year three, you will design and develop visual interfaces for ubiquitous systems, employ advanced web technologies, and research frameworks. You will learn about digital business environments, project management methodologies and work individually or in multidisciplinary teams on live briefs. At this stage, you can choose to study with one of our international partners or to work in industry.

In your final year, you will focus on User Experience, speculative design, professional skills through an internship and portfolio development and will complete your honours project.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    Lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical classes.

  • note and pen

    Assessments

    Mixture of practical assessments, development reports, academic essays and exams.
  • briefcase

    Work placement

    A year long Work Based Learning module is available for this programme which can be undertaken in 3rd year which consists of 60 credits.

    In 2nd year, students attend timetabled Placement Preparation sessions which provides comprehensive information about sourcing a placement, tips for enhancing CVs, cover letters and interview preparation. A Student Futures Placement Coordinator is available to support students with their placement applications and approving placements as part of the course. Whilst on placement, students undertake work-related assessments alongside gaining valuable work experience. If this option is chosen, the course duration will be extended by one trimester.

    If students are not undertaking the yearlong placement, then there is a Group Project or the Professional Internship Module in Year 3 (one trimester) which gives students the opportunity to complete a project for an external client.

    Find out more about Computing Placements here.

  • study abroad

    Study abroad

    International study is available, and is intended to develop overall graduate attributes and global citizenship. The School has several agreements with overseas partner institutions, both in the EU and further afield, providing varied and exciting opportunities tailored around your individual study and cultural interests. Currently, links are established with universities in the USA, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Singapore, and Germany, where programmes are delivered in English, whilst additional links are planned with other European countries and Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Being Digital
  • Experiencing the digital city
  • Sonic culture
  • Introduction to Human Computer Interaction
  • Digital Imaging
  • Programming for Media and Design

Year 2

  • Database Systems 
  • Practical Interaction Design
  • Business Systems Analysis and Design
  • Web Technologies
  • Information Interactions
  • Mobile Applications Development
  • Foundations of Software Design and Development

Year 3

  • User-Centred Organisational Systems
  • Digital Business Environments
  • Designing the visual interface
  • Project Management for Information Systems
  • Advanced Web Technologies
  • Experiential Design
  • Professional Internship
  • Group Project
  • Achieving Sustainability: a better world is possible
  • Overseas Study
  • Work Based Learning

Year 4

  • Honours Project
  • User Experience
  • Professional Identity through Portfolio Development
  • Experiential design
  • Professional internship

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Web Design and Development?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBC. National 5 grade C in Maths, Lifeskills Maths OR Applications of Maths and English.
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC. National 5 grade C in Maths, Lifeskills Maths OR Applications of Maths and English.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • BCC
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths and English.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level and grade O4 in Ordinary Level Maths and English.

Scottish HNC/D

  • HNC Digital Design and Web Development (C in graded unit)
    HNC Computing (C in graded unit)
    HNC Web Development (C in graded unit) 
  • Unrelated HNC/HND's may be considered
  • National 5 C in Maths and English.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths and English.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level

  • Minimum grades D*D
  • GCSE grade C/4 in English and Maths.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

  • Minimum grades MM (Merit, Merit) and A Level grade B
  • GCSE grade C/4 in English and Maths.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4.
  • Grade 4 in SL Maths and English.

European Baccalaureate

  • Pass at 70% or above with grade 7 in three subjects.
  • Grade 6 in Maths and English.

T Levels

  • Merit
  • GCSE Maths and English grade C/4

HNC with C in the graded unit in one of the following;

HNC with C in the graded unit in one of the following;

HNC with C in the graded unit in one of the following;

HNC with C in the graded unit in one of the following;

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • HNC - Pass in Digital Design and Web Development, Computing, Web Development with B in the graded unit.
    Other HNC qualifications may be considered, please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk for advice.

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC
  • Advanced Higher BB and SQA Higher BB

A Level

  • BBB

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DDD (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • HND - Pass in Digital Design and Web Development, Digital Design and Development with Grade B at SCQF Level 8 in the graded units. 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.


We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
Overseas and EU £17,580 £19,340
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Students working with eye tracking glasses in the Sensorium user experience lab.

What can I do with a degree in Web Design & Development?  

The BSc (Hons) Web Design & Development degree equips you with a diverse skill set in creating and maintaining websites. You will learn essential languages like HTML/CSS for web structure and design, JavaScript for interactivity, and various server-side programming languages for interacting with webservers. You will gain expertise in responsive web design to ensure compatibility across devices, while also acquiring knowledge of database management, web security, debugging, troubleshooting, and UI/UX design. With these skills, you will be prepared for the following roles:

  • Front/back end Web Designer/Developer
  • UI Designer/Developer
  • UX Researcher/Designer/Engineer
  • Usability Engineer
  • Mobile Application Developer
  • Digital Marketing Specialist
  • Wearables Designer/Developer

What does a Web Developer do?

A web developer designs, builds, and maintains websites and web applications. They use markup and scripting languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the structure, layout, and interactivity of websites. Front-end developers focus on the client-side components, ensuring visually appealing and responsive user interfaces. Back-end developers handle server-side components, including data processing and database integration. Web developers test and debug websites, addressing issues and ensuring smooth functionality. They implement security measures to protect against threats and vulnerabilities. Collaboration and version control systems enable effective teamwork and code management. Web developers also handle website maintenance, updates, and enhancements. They combine technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity to create functional and engaging online experiences.

Student concentrating in front of dual computer monitors