About this course
Learn to develop the reliable, complex and secure software systems we depend on, from mobile banking apps to aircraft autopilot controls. You’ll be able to analyse a company’s software needs, then design, test and build a system that meets them.
On this course you'll combine hands-on software development with a core knowledge of software engineering.
Specialist modules will let you explore new developments in areas such as:
robotics systems
cyber security
cloud application development
You’ll also develop crucial skills for software engineering projects, including:
communication
teamwork
project management
Our main computer lab has over 100 high-spec computer workstations and acts as the department’s social hub. You'll have access to our dedicated facilities, including:
software projects laboratory
David Barron computing laboratory
cyber security laboratory
centre for hybrid biodevices
Our academics are recognised internationally as leaders in their fields of expertise.
This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
We are also a member of The Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 209.84 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Highfield campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Transfer between courses
You can transfer between BSc Computer Science and BSc Software Engineering at the end of year 1. You’ll need an average mark of at least 58% to do this. If the course leader agrees, you may also transfer at other times and between other courses.
Year 1 and 2 modules are the same across our Computer Science courses, making it easy to transfer.
Entry requirements
A-levels
A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
A*A*B including mathematics (minimum grade A*)
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. ‘Use of mathematics’ A level is not a substitute for ‘mathematics’ A level. A pass in the science Practical is required where applicable.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 38 points overall, with 18 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in mathematics
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A in A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics
We do not accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma
We do not accept the BTEC National Diploma
Applicants with a BTEC National Extended Diploma or the BTEC National Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year
BTEC additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. ‘Use of mathematics’ A level is not a substitute for ‘mathematics’ A level. A pass in the science Practical is required where applicable.
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer:
AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A)
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A in A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics
We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma
We do not accept the BTEC Diploma
Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma or the BTEC National Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year
Access to HE Diploma
Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year
Access to HE Diploma additional information
There are no additional requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2, to include mathematics at H1
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 including mathematics at A1
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D2, D3, D3 in three Principal subjects including mathematics
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
There are no additional requirements
Welsh Baccalaureate
A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
A*A from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A), and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
or
A*A*B including mathematics (minimum grade A*)
or
A*A* from two A-levels including mathematics, and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. ‘Use of mathematics’ A level is not a substitute for ‘mathematics’ A level. A pass in the science Practical is required where applicable.
European Baccalaureate
85% overall including grade 9/10 in mathematics
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Foundation year for Engineering, Physics, Maths and Geophysics
If you don’t have the right qualifications for direct entry into this course, you may still be able to enrol by taking our Foundation Year. This intensive, one-year course will give you the background skills and knowledge to enter into any undergraduate degree in engineering, physics, mathematics or geophysics.
Contact us if you have a question about what qualifications you have or might need.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
You'll take compulsory modules in the first 2 years. In the third year you'll complete an individual project and choose from a range of optional modules.
Our flexible learning programme lets you choose interdisciplinary modules or modules from other programmes.
Year 1
You’ll study core topics such as:
programming
data management
software modelling and design
You’ll also cover the foundations of computer science to underpin your studies.
Year 2
You’ll deepen your understanding of software engineering by studying topics, like:
intelligent systems
software design
interaction design
A group project will let you work as a team to design, create and test a software system. It will give you practical experience and an awareness of technical, teamwork and project management challenges.
Year 3
You’ll carry out an individual project in an area of software engineering that interests you. An academic, who is conducting research in that field, will provide support throughout.
You’ll choose from a range of specialist Software Engineering modules, from across computer science and electronics. This will give you a deeper knowledge and let you explore topics such as:
robotic systems
machine learning
cyber security
computer vision
You could also:
study a language
take modules from other disciplines, such as Management or Law
choose from a range of innovative interdisciplinary modules
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Modules year 1
Core modules
You must study and pass these core modules in year 1:
Modules year 2
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 2:
Modules year 3
Core modules
You must study and pass these core modules in year 3:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 3:
- Advanced Computer Architecture
- Advanced Computer Networks
- Advanced Databases
- Cloud Application Development
- Computational Biology
- Computer Vision
- Cyber Security
- Engineering Management and Law
- Foundations of Machine Learning
- Game Design and Development
- Machine Learning Technologies
- Operational Research
- Optimisation
- Real-Time Computing and Embedded Systems
- Robotic Systems
- Security of Cyber Physical Systems
- Social Computing Techniques
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Support for your studies
You'll have your own personal tutor assigned to you.
We’ll give you all the support you need to succeed in your studies. You’ll have regular one-to-one meetings with your personal academic tutor, and our approachable academics can help with any subject-specific queries you might have.
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 30%
- Independent study
- 70%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 29%
- Independent study
- 71%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 21%
- Independent study
- 79%
- Placement
- 0%
Course leader
Gary Wills is the course leader.
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- coursework, laboratory reports and essays
- design and problem-solving exercises
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 54%
- Practical exam
- 9%
- Coursework
- 37%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 50%
- Practical exam
- 3%
- Coursework
- 47%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 31%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 69%
Careers
Software engineers are in demand in a wide range of sectors, especially those that rely on IT. This gives you plenty of career opportunities, so you could work in:
technology companies
consultancies
healthcare
government intelligence
financial services
Potential roles include:
software engineer
software developer
app designer
web developer
IT solutions analyst
You could also continue your studies at Masters or PhD level.
Electronics and Computer Science graduates have secured roles at organisations including:
Apple
McLaren
Samsung
Sony
Microsoft
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Work in industry
We can help you find placements and employment with local, national and international employers.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £21,580 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Extra costs you might have to pay
- Textbooks
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
- Approved Calculators
- Stationery
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 209.84 KB).
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
University life
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
How to apply
When you apply use:
UCAS Course Code: G4G6
UCAS Institution Code: S27
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.