BSc (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Accredited by the British Computer Society
• Opportunity to undertake a year's industrial placement
• Strong links with local and national companies including Corus, Unilever, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and IBM
• £6 million invested in state-of-the-art teaching facilities including 150 high-performance computers and industry-standard software
• Excellent career prospects, with most students finding employment soon after graduation
• 100% of students surveyed felt the academic support on this course was good or very good (National Student Survey 2024)

About your course

The BSc (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University is the ideal course if you are interested in this subject but lack the necessary qualifications to study it at degree level.

Software engineers design, implement and maintain all kinds of software ranging from large systems to websites and for all areas of business from banks to small companies. To be successful in the software engineering field, you need to be proficient in programming languages such as java and C# and to be able to apply them to a variety of problems. This requires an understanding of specific requirements and designing a viable solution that must be tested and then maintained to ensure that it can adapt to a changing world. This degree is designed to enable you to do this and more.

About the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Software Engineering honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree.

If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

• Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

• Foundation Year
  • Core modules
    • Algorithms and Computing (10 credits)
    • Foundation Mathematics for Engineering and Technology 1 (20 credits)
    • Programming (10 credits)
    • Personal, Academic and Skills Development (20 credits)
    • Information Systems Development (20 credits)
    • Creative Computing (20 credits)
    • Applied Computing (20 credits)
• Year 1
  • Core modules
    • Introduction to Programming (20 credits)
    • Computer Systems (20 credits)
    • Professional Practice (10 credits)
    • Data Modelling (10 credits)
    • Software Engineering Principles (20 credits)
    • Software Engineering Workshop (20 credits)
    • Introduction to Web Development (20 credits)
• Year 2
  • Core modules
    • Group Project (20 credits)
    • Database Systems (20 credits)
    • Object-Oriented Systems (20 credits)
    • Data Structures and Algorithms (20 credits)
    • Automata, Languages and Computation (20 credits)
    • Mobile and Web Development (20 credits)
  • Optional modules
    • Sandwich Year - Software Engineering (120 credits)
    • Study Year Abroad - Software Engineering (120 credits)
• Year 3
  • Core modules
    • Project (40 credits)
    • User Experience Design (20 credits)
    • Applied Data Science (20 credits)
    • Virtualisation and Cloud Computing (20 credits)
    • Embedded Systems (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Computer Society.

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

You will begin the course with a three day induction and then spend approximately 15 hours per week in the classroom.

Independent study is a fundamental element of the course and accounts for about 70% or 35 hours of your weekly study time.

Teaching is mostly via lectures with more informal lab sessions, online activities and small-group tutorials to reinforce ideas discussed in the lectures and to give you a chance to develop ideas with staff and other students.

Work-related Learning

There are many paid work placement options for you to choose from in your third year and extensive support is provided to enable you to apply for and gain a relevant placement in the computing industry. The department maintains wide-ranging links with industry, promoting successful placements, with global companies such as Microsoft, Barclays, Experian, GlaxoSmithKline, Sony, IBM, etc. as well as many local software and IT businesses. These placements facilitate the practical application of the skills learnt on the course and provide invaluable industry experience. The vast majority, if not all, students completing this sandwich degree go on to obtain full-time employment in the computing industry.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

From the moment you enrol at LJMU, you will be allocated a personal tutor who will work with you on setting targets for yourself as part of your personal development plan, and provide one-to-one support on course-related or other matters.

Should you choose to undertake a years work placement, this support will continue as a supervisor will stay in close contact and visit you two or three times at your workplace.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams plus an independent final year project, which contributes substantially to your final mark.

Your tutors will give prompt and constructive feedback via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or as written comments. This will help you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.

Career paths

This course provides the skills to work in any area of the software industry. Many of our students have found employment with their placement provider and most find employment quickly after graduation.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Full-time per year: £9,535
• Placement year: £1,905

International

• Full-time per year: £18,250
• Placement year: £3,830

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

• Grades/points required from qualifications: CCD-CCC (88-96)

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

GCSEs and equivalents

• Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.

GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

• CCD-CCC

BTECs

• Extended Diploma: MMM (96)

Access awards

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Pass overall with a minimum of 88 points.

International Baccalaureate

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

OCR Cambridge Technical

• Extended Diploma: MMM (96)

Irish awards

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

T levels

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.

International requirements

• IELTS
  • 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here

We are looking for students who are keen to learn new skills and develop those they already possess. We want students with the ability to: be creative with ideas and concepts, moderate their creativity with logic, be enthusiastic and thirsty for knowledge, communicate effectively and confidently and understand and adapt to a wide range of issues connected with the subject.

It is also important that students are able to manage time and tasks effectively as an individual and as part of a team, use appropriate sources to find and organise information and select and critically evaluate information in order to analyse problems.If you would like to develop these skills further, have a strong interest in this subject area and want to work effectively within it, then this is the course for you.

International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.

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Degree Overview:

This program is designed for students interested in software engineering but who lack the necessary qualifications for direct entry into a degree program. The Foundation Year provides the necessary foundation to progress onto the honors degree program.

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Objectives:

• To equip students with the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and maintain software systems.
• To develop proficiency in programming languages such as Java and C#.
• To prepare students for successful careers in the software industry.

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Description:

The program covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Programming fundamentals
• Computer systems
• Data modeling
• Software engineering principles
• Object-oriented systems
• Data structures and algorithms
• Database systems
• Mobile and web development
• User experience design
• Applied data science
• Virtualization and cloud computing
• Embedded systems

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Outline:

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Foundation Year:

• Algorithms and Computing: Introduces technical computing and the application of computers in implementing simple algorithms.
• Programming: Introduces the software development process, programming environments, and problem-solving skills in computing.
• Personal, Academic and Skills Development: Develops academic and practical skills for effective and independent learning.
• Creative Computing: Covers concepts, methods, and techniques for designing, developing, and managing digital multimedia productions.
• Applied Computing: Focuses on the computing challenges of large-scale applications and encourages research and development of solutions.

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Level 4:

• Introduction to Programming: Delivers programming and problem-solving skills with no prior programming experience.
• Computer Systems: Provides basic knowledge of computing platforms (hardware, operating systems, networks) for application development and hosting.
• Professional Practice: Develops understanding of professionalism in computing, working in the industry, and ethical frameworks.
• Software Engineering Principles: Introduces fundamental principles of best practice in software engineering and system modeling.
• Software Engineering Workshop: Provides a comprehensive introduction to applied software development on real-world problems using team-working methods and industry-standard practices.
• Introduction to Web Development: Covers techniques and technologies for developing web applications hosted on a web application server.

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Level 5:

• Group Project: Equips students with research skills and experience of working on subject-related research topics.
• Database Systems: Explores the operation of database systems, including RDBMS, SQL, and database connectivity APIs.
• Object-Oriented Systems: Explores the object-oriented paradigm from analysis and design through implementation and testing.
• Data Structures and Algorithms: Introduces the fundamentals of Abstract Data Types (ADTs) and complexity of operations on ADTs.
• Automata, Languages and Computation: Introduces automata theory and formal language theory, emphasizing real-life applications.

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Optional Modules:

• Sandwich Year - Software Engineering: Provides an extended period of work experience at an approved partner.
• Study Year Abroad - Software Engineering: Provides an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner.

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Level 6:

• Project: Allows students to complete a substantial project in a chosen area relevant to their program.
• User Experience Design: Enhances technical knowledge of systems development with an appreciation of the social-technical aspects of design.
• Applied Data Science: Explores the rapid growth of business intelligence data and the complex data models needed to support it.
• Virtualisation and Cloud Computing: Provides conceptual and practical insight into virtualisation, distributed, and cloud computing.
• Embedded Systems: Broadens a Software Engineer's horizon to include system and software development for embedded systems, with consideration of the Internet of Things.

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Course Schedule:

• Approximately 15 hours per week in the classroom.
• 70% or 35 hours of weekly independent study time.
• Teaching is mostly via lectures with lab sessions, online activities, and small-group tutorials.

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Assessment:

• Combination of coursework and exams.
• Independent final year project contributes substantially to the final mark.
• Prompt and constructive feedback is provided via Canvas, face-to-face, or written comments.

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Teaching:

• Active blended learning approach combining face-to-face and online learning.
• Dedicated personal tutor for one-to-one support.
• Supervision and visits during work placements.
• Wide-ranging links with industry for successful placements.

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Careers:

• Provides the skills to work in any area of the software industry.
• Many students find employment with their placement provider.
• Most students find employment quickly after graduation.

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Other:

• Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).
• £6 million invested in state-of-the-art teaching facilities.
• Strong links with local and national companies, including Corus, Unilever, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, and IBM.
• Go Citizen Scheme helps with costs towards volunteering, individual projects, or unpaid placements worldwide.

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• Home full-time per year: £9,250
• International full-time per year: £18,250
• Placement year: £1,850
• Placement year international: £3,830
All figures are subject to yearly increases. Tuition fees are subject to parliamentary approval.

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Overview:

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a public university located in Liverpool, England. It is a large and diverse institution with a strong focus on providing high-quality education and research opportunities.

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Services Offered:

LJMU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus accommodation options are available for students.

Student Support:

The university provides comprehensive support services, including academic advising, career counseling, financial aid, and mental health resources.

Library:

LJMU has a well-equipped library with extensive resources and study spaces.

Student Futures:

This service helps students with career planning, job searching, and employability skills development.

International Student Support:

Dedicated support is available for international students, including visa guidance and cultural adjustment programs.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

LJMU offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience for its students. Key aspects include:

Sports, Societies, and Lifestyle:

Students can participate in a wide range of sports clubs, societies, and social events.

Campus:

The university has multiple campuses located in Liverpool, providing a diverse and stimulating environment.

Go Abroad:

LJMU offers opportunities for students to study abroad and gain international experience.

Volunteering:

Students can engage in volunteering activities and contribute to the local community.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Reputation:

LJMU is known for its high-quality teaching and research.

Diverse Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

Location:

Liverpool is a vibrant and culturally rich city, providing students with a stimulating and enjoyable living experience.

Student Support:

LJMU provides comprehensive support services to ensure student success.

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Academic Programs:

LJMU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate:

Bachelor's degrees in various fields, including business, law, health sciences, engineering, and the arts.

Postgraduate:

Master's degrees, PhD programs, and other postgraduate qualifications.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Programs that combine work experience with academic study.

Continuing Professional Development:

Short courses and programs for professionals seeking to enhance their skills.