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CONTENTS

1. What’s Software Engineering?

2. What Software Engineering degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Software Engineering degree?

4. What topics does a Software Engineering degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Software Engineering?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Software Engineering degree?

8. What do Software Engineering graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a Software Engineering graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Software Engineering

12. Have any questions?

What’s Software Engineering?

Software engineering involves the designing, creating, testing, and maintaining of software systems. This subject borrows principles from computer science, mathematics and engineering. A software engineering degree will explore user needs, software architecture, writing and testing code, debugging issues, as well as considering security and maintenance.

Ultimately software engineering is about creating high quality software that provides the user with a positive and accessible experience.

What Software Engineering degrees can you study?

Undergraduate Software Engineering degrees on offer in the UK include:

• Computing (Software Engineering) MEng
• Software Engineering BSc
• Electronic and Software Engineering BSc
• Applied Software Engineering BSc
• Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems BEng
• Digital and Technology Solutions BSc

Many options include an integrated foundation year, professional placement year or year abroad.

What do you need to get onto a Software Engineering degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for a Software Engineering degree at a university typically range from 104–160 UCAS points. This could include:

• A Levels: A*A*A–CCB
• BTECs: D*D*D*–D*D
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA–BCD (Advanced Highers: AAA–CCD)
• International Baccalaureate: 44–37
• Universities will usually ask that you have studied: maths or computer science at A Level (or equivalent)

Good to have

• Studied further maths, computer science, economics, electronics, engineering, statistics, business studies or physics
• Work experience or shadowing within a computing-related company
• Volunteer experience either helping people learn computer skills or improving a website of a charity or small business.
• Knowledge of programming languages, making your own website or creating a small game
• Finding out more about topics of interest through books, IT magazines online, videos like Computerphile YouTube series, or podcasts
• STEM summer schools, if eligible, such as UNIQ or Sutton Trust

What topics does a Software Engineering degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Fundamentals of computer science
• Digital systems
• Software development
• Software design
• Computer systems and networks
• Artificial intelligence
• Data engineering
• User and data modelling
• Secure cyber systems
• Algorithms
• Web application development
• Information and information systems

How will you be assessed?

Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:

• Coursework
• Essays
• Exams
• Practical exercises
• Presentations
• Project work
• Short tests

Why study Software Engineering?

Career-specific skills:

• Software design and architecture: how to design software systems and architectures that meet specific requirements
• Programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, amongst others
• Software testing and debugging: testing software for quality, performance, and security, and how to debug code when issues arise
• Algorithms and data structures: designing and analysing algorithms and data structures to solve complex problems

Transferable skills:

• Critical and analytical thinking
• Entrepreneurial skills
• Internet research and information retrieval
• Organisation
• Presentation
• Problem solving
• Report writing
• Strong numeracy and IT skills
• Communication
• Design and creative problem solving
• Digital skills
• Project management
• Team working

Professional accreditations:

• Some degrees may be recognised by the British Computer Society (BCS), The Chartered Institute for IT, and meet the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP)

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Software Engineering degree?

Some universities offer Software Engineering students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

What do Software Engineering graduates earn?

The salary range for software engineering roles can be quite broad. Entry-level positions start from around £25,000–£30,000 per year depending on location, size of company and your specialism. With considerable experience some top technology companies offer salaries of £80,000 or more for their most senior roles.

Read more on what graduates do and earn here.

What jobs can you get as a Software Engineering graduate?

Software engineering graduates are highly sought after in many different types of organisations, some options include:

• Software developer or engineer
• Web developer
• UX designer
• Games developer
• Cybersecurity analyst
• Information systems analyst
• IT consultant
• Mobile application developer
• Systems architect
• Teacher or lecturer

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of postgraduate courses available at universities in the UK:

• Human Computer Interaction MSc
• User Experience Design MSc
• Communications and Information Engineering MSc
• MA Immersive Arts (Virtual and Augmented Reality)
• Virtual and Extended Realities MA
• MSc Software Engineering

Similar subjects to Software Engineering

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Mechanical Engineering
• Animation
• Game Design
• Information Technology and Systems

Have any questions?

Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.

We’ll be happy to hear from you!