Scholarship in Software Development

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Software Development Scholarship cycle: Summer placement, year work placement, fixed-term contract.

For undergraduate students in
BSc/BEng Computer Science with Professional Experience or
BEng Software Engineering with Placement

The application deadline has now expired.

 

Who we are

The Northern Ireland Assembly is the legislative body for Northern Ireland, and is located on the Stormont Estate in Belfast.

The Information Systems Office within the Northern Ireland Assembly provides a full range of computing services to elected Members and the Assembly Secretariat.

 

What we do

The Software Development section of the Information Systems Office is responsible for the development and support of database-driven, bespoke applications and solutions. Systems and solutions are currently being developed with Azure DevOps using the Agile approach. Implementation of these solutions are predominantly Microsoft-based using modern technologies such as Visual Studio, C#.Net, ASP.Net Core, Entity Framework Core and SQL Server.

For the past 15 years, software solutions were primarily developed for use within Parliament Buildings; however, over recent years, there has been a growing demand for services to be accessible via mobile devices and to the public. To meet this demand, more complex solutions are required using a range of web-based technologies.

 

What the Scholarship offers

This Scholarship in Software Development will provide the undergraduate student with the technical skills and work experience to embark on a career as a software developer.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to obtain paid full-time work experience as a Junior Developer in tandem with their degree, as well as being offered a two-year fixed-term contract as a software developer, subject to passing their degree and successfully completing their 51-week work placement*.

 

Scholarship in Software Development

This is open to all Stage one/first year undergraduate students studying BSc/BEng Computer Science Professional Experience or BEng Software Engineering with Placement.

Requirements

Applicants for the Scholarship must be enrolled at Queen's University Belfast at Stage 1 in one of the following degrees:

  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Year of Professional Experience
  • BEng (Hons) Software Engineering With Year of Professional Experience

For 10-week placement:

By 1st July 2024, students must have passed all Stage 1 modules.

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission reserves the right to only interview those applicants with the highest scores in either of the following modules:

  • CSC1027 Programming or
  • CSC1025 Procedural Programming

 

Benefits of an IS Scholarship with the Assembly Commission

  • Paid 10-week summer placement.
  • Paid 51-week placement.
  • During undergraduate placements you will accrue paid leave.
    • You will accrue four days paid leave and up to three public and privilege holidays during the 10-week summer placement.
    • You will accrue 25 days annual leave and 12 public holidays during the 51-week placement.
  • Intensive training in MVC, ASP.Net Core, Azure, C#.NET, Azure DevOps, Agile development cycle, SQL Server.
  • Mentoring support during your final year.
  • Flexible hours.
  • Two-year paid, fixed-term contract after completion of degree.
  • Opportunity to join pension scheme.
  • Free, convenient car parking is available throughout the Stormont Estate as well as easy access to public transport.
  • Loan of Assembly high-spec laptop for the duration of the programme.
  • Exposure to the whole-system develop-ment life cycle.

 

How to apply

To apply

The application process has now expired.

To request further information

Please email recruitment@niassembly.gov.uk

Accompanying documentation

 

Scholarship Schedule

Scholarship StructureDatesProgress Requirements

Applications open

12th March 2024

 

Applications close

12 Noon 12th April 2024

 

Interviews at Northern Ireland Assembly, Parliament Buildings, Belfast

29th and 30th May 2024

By 1st July 2024, must have passed all Stage 1 modules.

10-week summer placement as Junior Developer

Between July 2024 and September 2024

Must complete training and demonstrate an understanding of ASP.Net Core MVC architecture.**

Degree Stage 3 / 51-week placement as Junior Developer

Between June 2025 and September 2026

Must meet the duties and responsibilities of a Junior Developer.**

Degree Stage 4

Final year support

Must pass their degree.

Two-year fixed-term contract as Software Developer

June 2027

Must meet the duties and responsibilities of the Software Developer role.**

 

* Students are requested to note that an essential element to continuing on the Scholarship programme is that they complete their degree within the standard time frame i.e. four years (including placement year). The Scholarship will cease if a Student has to repeat any full academic year.

** subject to performance, attendance and conduct requirements of the NI Assembly Commission