Course summary

Our technological world has created a tremendous demand for professionals who can design, build and maintain computer programmes, databases. This four-year, year in industry programme with a specialism in software engineering will give you a strong foundation of knowledge, skills and practical experience to kickstart your career in software. Your extended work placement will give you skills and awareness that can only be acquired in a real work environment, and will help to set you apart when you apply for jobs. Our software engineering teaching has been hailed as a‘best practice’ example of computer science education by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Developed in consultation with industry, our progressive curriculum will give you a solid grounding in the fundamentals of computing and application development. You will learn from software professionals and leading academics to apply engineering principles to the design, development, implementation and maintenance of all kinds of software. We cover the whole process of software development, from initial client briefs through to costing, scheduling and efficient delivery. From the outset you will be experimenting with programming games, robots, Gadgeteer kits, Subversion, JUnit testing, Scrum-based Agile software and more, in our well-equipped laboratories. You will develop team working, time management and communication skills, and a strong professional ethos. Your year in industry will start at the end of year 2. We are located in the famous M4 corridor, known as 'England's Silicon Valley', and we enjoy close links with many of its leading technology companies. If you are unable to go ahead with your placement you will have the option of transferring onto our equivalent three-year BSc programme. In your final year you will also have the flexibility to choose between a range of optional courses. We are a highly respected, research-focused department with a friendly approach and award-winning teaching. We offer a summer work placement programme and a dedicated personal adviser to guide you through your studies. You will also be welcome to join our thriving Computing Society. We are one of only seven departments in the UK to hold the Athena SWAN bronze award for our commitment to increasing female participation in computer science. The BCS has distinguished our teaching of Software Engineering as 'Best Practice'. You will be taught by staff with extensive industrial experience, three of whom are certified Scrum Masters. You will learn to master the process of software engineering, from initial client meetings through to delivery.