About this course
Explore the life cycle of software engineering projects and study exciting, specialist topics. On this 4-year master's, you'll learn how to analyse a company’s software needs, then design, test and build a system that meets them. You’ll also develop the problem-solving, planning and teamwork skills that are essential for successful software engineers.
This MEng Software Engineering degree combines hands-on software development with a core knowledge of software engineering. You'll study cutting-edge areas like:
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programming
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software modelling
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distributed systems and networks
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automated code development
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e-business strategy
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web development
You don’t need any previous experience in computer science to join the course. For the first programming module you can choose your own level, and if you are a beginner, we can help you get up to speed.
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:
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software projects laboratory
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David Barron computing laboratory
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cyber security laboratory
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centre for hybrid biodevices
Our academics are recognised internationally as leaders in their fields of expertise.
You can take this course with an additional year-long, paid placement. Apply with UCAS code II30 for the Industrial Studies option.
You can also choose to spend a single semester studying abroad.
This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
We are also a member of The Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
In light of COVID-19, we’ve made changes to some elements of course delivery for 2020-21. For details as to how this has changed delivery for this course, please view the Addendum to the Programme Specification PDF.
Entry requirements
A-levels
A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
A*A*B including mathematics (minimum grade A*)
or
AAAA including mathematics
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where applicable.
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), plus grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
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
or
A*AB including mathematics (minimum grade A)
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 38 points overall, with 18 points required at Higher Level including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A in two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics. D*D in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics or DD in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus grade A* in A-level mathematics. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level Maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.
BTEC additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where applicable.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- Scottish Qualification offers
- Cambridge Pre-U
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- European Baccalaureate
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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.
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 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.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
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
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.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- Scottish Qualification offers
- Cambridge Pre-U
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- European Baccalaureate
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
You'll take compulsory modules in the first 2 years. In years 3 and 4 you’ll complete individual and group design projects and choose from a range of optional modules.
Our flexible learning programme lets you take interdisciplinary modules or modules from other subjects. There’s also the opportunity to broaden your studies beyond Software Engineering. For example, you could:
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study a language
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take modules from other disciplines, such as management or law
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choose from a range of innovative interdisciplinary modules
Year 1 overview
You’ll study core topics such as:
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programming
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data management
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software modelling and design
You’ll also cover the foundations of computer science to underpin your studies.
Year 2 overview
You’ll deepen your understanding of software engineering by studying topics, like:
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intelligent systems
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software design
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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 overview
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.
A compulsory module in engineering management and law will teach you important skills for the successful operations of an organisation.
You’ll choose from a range of specialist Software Engineering modules, from across computer science and electronics. These will give you a deeper knowledge and let you explore topics such as:
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robotic systems
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machine learning
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cyber security
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computer vision
Year 4 overview
The group-design project is a fantastic opportunity to put your skills into practice, working for a real industry or academic customer. Past students have worked on:
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low-cost networking for small cabinets or backplane circuit boards, for Schneider Electric
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a long-range boat tracker for a sailing club
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a dashboard that monitors the condition of industrial printers linked to the 'internet of things'.
You’ll choose 2 advanced modules from a wide range of specialist options. They include topics such as:
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automated code generation
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e-business
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web development
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biometrics
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deep learning
You can also choose to study abroad for a semester.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our modules for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our learning and assessment methods for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Corina Cirstea is the course leader.
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:
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technology companies
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consultancies
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healthcare
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government intelligence
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financial services
You’ll graduate with the technical and transferable skills needed for roles such as:
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software engineer
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software developer
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app designer
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web developer
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IT solutions analyst
You could work for a technology firm, become an IT consultant, or take forward IT developments within companies and organisations across the private and public sector.
You could also continue your studies at PhD level.
Most of our graduates go straight into jobs in high-tech companies. Electronics and Computer Science students have secured roles at companies including:
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Apple
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BAE Systems
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BBC
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Google
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Huawei
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IBM
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Microsoft
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Samsung
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Sony
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 offer this degree with a year in industry, which is a great way to gain substantial industry experience, boost your professional skills and grow your networks. For international students, it is the only way to spend a year working in the UK and build contacts that could lead to employment here when you graduate.
We can help you find placements and employment with local, national and international employers.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £22,760.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
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.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: G600
- 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.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
