Course summary

Our stimulating Computer Science/Software Engineering with a Year in Industry MEng degree programme will prepare you to become a future leader in the IT industry by not only developing your technical understanding of building large software systems, but also your management and teamwork skills. Software Engineering is at the core of the computer science industry and the demand for experts in software engineering is set to grow. At the University of Birmingham we understand the increasing demand for software engineers with a range of expertise. Our Computer Science/Software Engineering MEng programme ensures you leave us with not only a thorough understanding of the principles of the subject but also the key transferable skills to be able to adapt and work in a demanding and ever-changing industry which are developed through team projects and group work. In the first year you will gain a firm foundation in programming, plus the principles of data structures and algorithms; artificial intelligence; and relevant logic and mathematics. Our main teaching language is Java but you will also learn functional programming, both of which are widely used in enterprise systems and will prove crucial after you graduate. During the second year you move on to study enabling technologies and their application. Your programming repertoire will be broadened by exposure to the C programming language and you will be taught professional software engineering techniques and apply them to develop a large team project in Java such as a multiplayer networked game. In your third year you will be able to choose from a range of optional modules allowing you to specialise in areas of computer science that interest you and that will help prepare you for your future career. Your final year modules from our range of Masters programmes will be open to you. You will also undertake a much more in-depth project which involves a major software or research element, and brings together all of the computer science skills you have acquired. Your choice of modules alongside your choice of project will allow you to specialise in a field such as computer security, human-computer interaction, theoretical computer science, robotics or natural computation.