Program Overview

Software Engineering

Overview

Take your coding and programming skills to the next level and become an expert software engineer.

Why Software Engineering at ARU?

• Study in the Silicon Fen, home to Apple, Microsoft, Samsung AI and many more – the perfect opportunity to connect with top employers.
• Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed and developed with regional employers, such as The Fellows House and Redgate to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
• You’ll develop a strong set of employability skills through studying with both academics and practitioners.
• Accredited by BCS and IET and a Cisco Network Academy for over ten years.
• You’ll develop skills in a range of programming languages including Java, C#, C++ and .net framework, supported by popular databases such as MySQL.

Course Options

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years with foundation year
• 4 years with placement

Key Facts

• STUDY OPTIONS: 3 years
• START DATES: September
• LOCATION: Cambridge
• ENTRY: UCAS code: I300
• FEES:
  • £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
  • £17,500 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Teaching and Assessment

Year 1

• Introduction to Programming (30 credits)
• Computer Systems (30 credits)
• Software Principles (15 credits)
• Core Mathematics for Computing (15 credits)
• Operating Systems (30 credits)
• Into ARU

Year 2

• Database Design and Implementation (15 credits)
• Object Oriented Programming (30 credits)
• Digital Security (15 credits)
• Computing Research Methodologies (15 credits)
• Algorithm Analysis and Data Structures (15 credits)
• Ruskin Module (15 credits)
• Machine Learning (15 credits)

Year 3

• Final Project (30 credits)
• Advanced Object Oriented Programming (30 credits)
• Professional Issues: Computing and Society (15 credits)
• Advanced Relational Database Development (15 credits)
• Cloud Computing (15 credits)
• Human Computer Interaction (15 credits)

Student Experience

• Hear from ARU Senior Lecturer Dr Razvan-Ion Dinita in this Springpod subject spotlight: Decoding social media: an exploration of programming and platforms.
• Work closely with students who share your interest in computer science and get expert guidance from academics who will support you through your studies.

Facilities

• Specialist labs and skills spaces
• Develop essential skills in programming languages such as JavaScript, Java, PHP and .net framework supported by MySQL and MSSQL Server databases.

Careers

• There’s a shortage of qualified computing graduates and with our Software Engineering degree, you’ll not only build upon your skills in coding and programming; you’ll understand what businesses are looking for and why.
• As a graduate you could go on to work in main-line business software applications development or web development.
• With additional teacher training, teaching Computing at both secondary and further education levels could also be an option available to you.

Entry Requirements

• 104 UCAS Tariff points
• 5 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English and Maths
• If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

Fees and Paying for University

• £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
• £17,500 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
• Living costs: £7,000–£9,000 per year

Apply

• UK students: Apply through UCAS
• International students: Apply direct