Overview
The Software Systems Developer program features an accelerated, project-based learning environment to prepare you for a career as a full-stack web and/or mobile developer.
This 8-month program will provide you with a strong foundation in multiple emerging web and mobile application development tools and technologies. Students will acquire hands-on experience through lecture and lab exercises combined with applied knowledge through internal and industry projects.
Delivery mode: blended
- This program will be delivered as a combination of online and on-campus learning. While some of your coursework will take place online, there will also be in-person sessions.
- Faculty will notify students of when their attendance on campus will be required.
- We have put measures in place for your safety and well-being, ensuring that all safety protocols are addressed. Please see the BCIT COVID-19 page for details on the mandatory procedures that have been implemented.
Your education is our priority and we will continue to deliver the applied instruction, collaborative experience, and industry connections that you expect from BCIT.
Our curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in the following technologies to equip you for a job as a software developer:
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Angular, React, Vue
- SQL and NoSQL
- NodeJS
- .NET Core
- Amazon Web Services and Azure
- iOS with Swift
- Android with Kotlin
- React-Native and Flutter
- Integration with third-party hosting, security, API, and tooling providers
*subject to change without notice, based on the needs of the program and industry demand
In addition to our technology curriculum, our instructors provide skills and practical experience with:
- Code collaboration and communication in a development team
- Working in an agile development environment
- Tips for managing LinkedIn profiles, resumes, and the application and interview process
Graduates of this certificate program may apply for acceptance into the BCIT Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems (additional prerequisites are required). Laddering into the Computer Systems Technology Diploma program is not an option.
While applicants are not required to have formal computer programming experience, they need to have a solid understanding of object-oriented programming. Applicants with no knowledge are advised to take a programming language course, such as introduction to object-oriented programming with any server-side language.
| CIT Credential: | Certificate |
| Program Location: | Downtown Vancouver |
| Program Length: | 8-months, Full-time |
| Program Start / End: | September 12, 2022 – May 12, 2023 |
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Open to applications beginning January 10, 2022.Entrance requirements
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
Applicants are required to complete the Pre-entry Assessment form [PDF] to review their prior experience and how they meet the entrance requirements.
Please email your completed assessment form to TPP@bcit.ca.
An approved pre-entry assessment form must be uploaded to complete your application.
Step 2: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (50%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (50%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (50%) from a recognized institution
What if I don’t meet these English requirements? - Programming: one of the following (or equivalent):
- COMP 1516 - Programming Fundamentals with Python (70%) or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary object-oriented programming from a recognized institution (70%) or
- Significant Code Project or other experience
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Students enrolled in this program must complete the mandatory work component to qualify for graduation. A co-op work permit is required prior to starting the work component.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Please see the Full-Time Tuition & Fees pages for tuition fee amounts:
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
If eligible, female students can apply for the $1000 Debbe Gervin Memorial Entrance Award.
Refund policy
- If notice is submitted in writing and received by the SSD Program Office AT LEAST twelve (12) working days prior to the first day of classes, all tuition fees paid (less the $2,000.00 deposit) will be refunded.
- If notice is submitted in writing and received by the SSD Program Office by 4:00 p.m. on the second day of class, all fees paid less $3,000.00 ($2,000.00 deposit and $1,000.00 penalty fee) will be refunded.
- There will be no refund of fees issued after the second day of class.
- Withdrawal for medical reasons, possible partial refund with doctor's medical note.
Cancellation Policy
This program is subject to limited and minimum enrolment. Lack of sufficient enrolment will result in BCIT cancelling specific intakes of the program and will entitle accepted students of that intake to a full refund of all fees paid.
Courses
Class hours
9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday (excluding statutory holidays)
Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SSDP 1501 | Systems Foundations 1 | 16.0 | |
| SSDP 2501 | Systems Foundations 2 | 12.0 | |
| SSDP 3501 | Systems Foundations 3 | 17.0 | |
| SSDP 4001 | Specialty Topics | 17.0 | |
| SSDP 5001 | Projects | 25.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 87.5 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Graduating & Jobs
Job Opportunities
Graduates will find careers in a variety of industries including business, finance, government, health, information technology, telecommunications and service.
Depending on previous academic and work experience, career paths for graduates may include but are not limited to: web application developer, database developer, programmer/analyst, systems analyst, and careers in quality assurance.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2018-2020 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2017-2019 graduates and for Degree 2016-2018 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty
Pat McGee, SSD Program Head
Alex Cooper, SSD Faculty
Staff
Andre Trindade, Program Coordinator
Bal Lidhar, Program Coordinator
Advisory committee
BCIT is well-respected by employers for its ties to industry. In Computing, this connection is formalized through a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of experts in a range of roles from a cross-section of companies. The department consults regularly to ensure program currency and relevance.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this program, please send us an email.
You can also use the form below to make contact with our department, or other applicable departments at BCIT.
Questions or comments?
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.