Studerende på ITU

Software Development

Bachelor

The programme

The BSc programme in Software Development teaches you how to turn ideas and needs into software solutions. You will work with the entire software development process – from analysis and design to development, testing, and maintenance – and learn how to create software that works in practice for people, businesses, and organisations.

The programme combines core computer science disciplines such as programming languages, algorithms, software architecture, and databases with user-centred design, business understanding, and collaboration. You will learn both the technical craft of software development and how to gain an overview of complex systems: How software is structured, built, and programmed, how different components interact, and how solutions are developed in teams.

Artificial intelligence is an integral part of modern software development, and throughout the programme you will use AI as an active tool in the development process. You will learn how AI can support programming tasks, accelerate parts of the development workflow, and become part of software solutions themselves. At the same time, AI gives you greater freedom to explore ideas and experiment with projects. To make effective use of AI, however, you need a strong foundation in programming, software architecture, and quality assurance. AI does not replace professional expertise. On the contrary, it makes it even more important to understand problems, evaluate solutions, and make informed technical decisions.

Software development is a creative process. You will learn how to investigate user needs, develop ideas, and turn them into useful solutions for real-world contexts. Projects are an essential part of the programme, where you will collaborate in development teams and strengthen both your technical and interpersonal skills, from problem-solving and communication to working with companies and their users.

The programme prepares you for a rapidly changing labour market, where software developers must combine strong technical craftsmanship with the ability to use artificial intelligence critically and effectively. With a BSc in Software Development, you will be well positioned for both employment and further study.

The programme is taught in Danish.

Graduates of the programme have direct access to the two-year MSc programme in Computer Science.

 

Meet a student from Software Development

Meet Theodor who studies Software Development. Hear him explain what software development actually is and learn more about student life at ITU.

AI challenges us to rethink how we design, develop and use software. In that reality there is a need, now more than ever, for skilled developers who understand both the possibilities and challenges of the technology.

Anne Hauberg Aakjer, Director at Immeo

Is this programme for you?

If you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Software Development, you need to have a flair for logic and mathematics and be prepared to continue your mathematics from high school at a high level. Additionally, you should also have good analytical skills, as besides programming software, you will also work with communication and business processes.

You do not need prior programming experience.

Project work is an important part of studying at the IT University. Therefore, it is important that you are motivated to collaborate with other students.

Software Development is a full-time programme, and you should be prepared to dedicate your time.

In my experience, the teachers are very committed and there is a strong academic environment. The academic level is advanced, and the link between theory and practice gives a broad understanding of the subject matter.

Michael, Software Development student

Study preparation

Before starting your studies, you have the opportunity to participate in workshops where you can refresh your high school mathematics skills and receive an introduction to programming.

The two workshops are optional and precede the introduction days for new students, ensuring you don't miss out on social activities. You will receive more information about the timing and registration in your acceptance letter.

BootIT

The BootIT workshop is tailored new students without prior knowledge of programming, aiming to facilitate a smooth transition. In the workshop, you will be introduced to basic programming principles, starting from square one with concepts like constants, variables, operators, assignments, if-statements, and while-loops in Java. If these terms are unfamiliar to you, BootIT can provide you with a good start to programming.

Topics covered in BootIT will be revisited and elaborated upon during the first semester of the programme.


BootMath

The Software Development programme requires proficiency in mathematics and logical reasoning. If it has been a while since you last solved an equation, the BootMath workshop could be beneficial for you.

At BootMath, we revisit mathematical concepts from high school essential for your studies. We cover basic arithmetic rules (including logarithms and exponential functions), simplification of mathematical expressions, and equation solving.


Programme structure

The BSc programme in Software Development is a three-year, full-time degree consisting of six semesters. Teaching combines individual learning with project-based teamwork and collaboration with companies, preparing you for professional software development in practice.

No prior programming experience is required. You will be introduced to programming from your very first semester.

Throughout the programme, researchers, industry professionals, consultants, and teaching assistants support your learning across courses such as cyber security and discrete mathematics. The programme concludes with a bachelor project.

The curriculum covers a range of selected and relevant subject areas that provide you with the tools needed to understand, design, and develop software. You will learn to reflect on the ethical, security-related, and business contexts in which software is developed and gain the knowledge required to create responsible digital solutions to real-world societal challenges.

See the curriculum for BSc in Software Development (in Danish as the programme is taught in Danish).

Shared Curriculum: Rules and Regulations

1. semester

Discrete Mathematics
(7.5 ECTS)
Project Work and Communication
(7.5 ECTS)
Project-based course
Introduction to Programming with a Project
(15 ECTS)

2. semester

User Experience and Web Programming
(7.5 ECTS)
Algoritms and Data Structures
(7.5 ECTS)
Project-based course
First-year project
(15 ECTS)

3. semester

Distributed Systems
(7.5 ECTS)
Introduction to Database Systems
(7.5 ECTS)
Project-based course
Analysis, Design and Software Architecture with a project
(15 ECTS)

4. semester

Functional Programming
(7.5 ECTS)
Elective
(7.5 ECTS)
Project-based course
Second-year project: Software Development in Larger Groups
(15 ECTS)

5. semester

Operating Systems and the Programming Language C
(7.5 ECTS)
Programs as Data
(7.5 ECTS)
Project-based course
Digital transformation and Business Models
(7.5 ECTS)
Project-based course
Security
(7.5 ECTS)

6. semester

Reflections on IT
(7.5 ECTS)
Elective
(7.5 ECTS)
Project-based course
Bachelor Project
(15 ECTS)

ECTS and workload

One ECTS corresponds to approximately 27.5 hours of work for the students, in line with the official European Credit Transfer System.

A 7.5 ECTS course therefore represents around 206 hours of activity in total. These hours include contact hours (teaching and supervision), individual study time, group work and exam activities, corresponding to an average of approximately 10 hours per week from the first day of teaching to the last day of the exam period. In practice there will be fluctuations, as there often is more work required during teaching weeks and when working on projects.

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Teaching

The teaching is a combination of lectures, group exercises, and project work.

Following each lecture, you engage in tasks during practical group exercises where you also have the opportunity to seek assistance in tackling challenging problems.

Project work is a significant part of the programme enabling you to participate in collaborations, not only with other students and teachers, but also with external companies and organisations.

The Software Development programme has a strong overall focus on close collaboration with the business community. Guest lecturers from the business community often contribute to the teaching.

In the second-year project, you will learn to work with a scrum framework and in larger groups work on a project in collaboration with a Danish company.

Studerende på SWU

Student projects

Digital Map of Denmark

What will Bornholm look like if the sea rises? William and his group are investigating this in their first-year project at ITU, where they have created their own digital map.

Ethical social media

For his bachelor project, Kasper decided to make a prototype of an ethical social media – one that would focus on the user's mental health instead of making a profit.


Study assistance for students

Study Lab

Study Lab runs three times a week throughout the first semester. Study Lab is a place where you can seek help in becoming even better at topics covered in your courses, e.g. by discussing academic themes that you are curious about or getting help with difficult material.

Study Lab additionally hosts interesting activities such as review sessions, minor courses on relevant but noncurricular topics, as well as professional lectures with external speakers. Study Lab is run by experienced ITU students.


Live Coding

Live Coding is a forum for first semester students at Software Development. Here you gain hands-on experience and help with programming through live sessions where a teaching assistant will show you how coding can be done by writing the code in front of you.

Live Coding takes place once a week from the beginning of every semester.

Further education

With a bachelor in Software Development, you will hold the academic title Bachelor of Science (BSc).

This qualifies you to continue your studies in a master’s programme at the IT University or at another Danish or foreign university in the fields of science, social science, and technology.

You have direct access to the MSc programme in Computer Science for three years after graduation, if you have completed your BSc degree after January 1, 2019 (legal right to admission).

Career options

The BSc in Software Development is geared towards the business community and you can therefore apply for a challenging and often well-paid job after only three years.

The programme allows you to choose between different career paths. You can for example choose to work with very advanced software development which deals mainly with technical issues.

Alternatively, you can choose a career that focuses on customer needs, business, cooperation, and people.

Examples of job titles:

  • IT consultant
  • Product developer
  • Game developer
  • Software developer
  • IT architect
  • User interface designer
  • Usability consultant

Learn more about Software Development

Alma landed a job after completing a bachelor's degree

Alma Freiesleben works at Siteimprove as a Student Developer; a job she landed right after graduating from the bachelor's programme in Software Development. Hear why she is dedicated to software development and how she wants to use her IT skills to work with people, promote feminism, and ensure sustainability.


What do you dream about?

What do you dream about? And how does your choice of education fit into your dreams? Hear what Melissa dreams about and what led her to study a bachelor in Software Development. 


Studerende på græsplæne
Study abroad

Exchange

As a student at ITU, you have the opportunity to spend part of your programme at one of our partner universities and experience an international academic environment.

Admission figures 2026

Admission GPA, quota 1
4.3
Number of applicants (of which in quota 2)
392 (142)
Number of admitted students
179
Distribution of admitted students, quota 1/quota 2
50% / 50%
Distribution of admitted students by nationality (Denmark/international)
89% / 11%
Average age of admitted students
22.7
Gender distribution, f/m (based on CPR)
21% / 79%
Available spots
No

Please note: ITU only has a summer intake and does not offer standby places as part of the admissions process.

Kontakt studievejledningen på ITU

Study and Career Guidance

It’s completely normal to have questions when choosing a degree. Our student advisors are ready to guide you – whether it’s about student life, admissions, or study plans. We can, for example, advise you on:

  • Student life at ITU – what is everyday life like as a student?
  • The admissions process – how do you apply?
  • Career paths – what different opportunities might be available after your studies?
Contact a study advisor