Program Overview

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Software Engineering (MEng)

Award: Master of Engineering

Typical Offer: A*AA

Duration: 4 years

Course Type: Full-time

Campus: Highfield

UCAS Course code: G600

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:

• programming
• software modelling
• distributed systems and networks
• automated code development
• e-business strategy
• 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:

• software projects laboratory
• David Barron computing laboratory
• cyber security laboratory
• centre for hybrid biodevices

Our academics are recognised internationally as leaders in their fields of expertise.

As part of this course, you can 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.

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial studies placement year.

Apply using:

• Course name: Software Engineering with Industrial Studies
• UCAS code: II30

You'll spend this extra year at one of our partner companies, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

Entry requirements

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A).

A-levels additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

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 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 Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall, with 19 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 Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

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.

BTEC

• RQF BTEC: D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics.
• QCF BTEC: D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA from 2 A-levels including mathematics.

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)

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

Course structure

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:

• study a language
• take modules from other disciplines, such as management or law
• choose from a range of innovative interdisciplinary modules

Year 1 overview

You’ll study core topics such as:

• programming
• data management
• 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:

• intelligent systems
• software design
• 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:

• robotic systems
• machine learning
• cyber security
• 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:

• low-cost networking for small cabinets or backplane circuit boards, for Schneider Electric
• a long-range boat tracker for a sailing club
• 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:

• automated code generation
• e-business
• web development
• biometrics
• deep learning

You can also choose to study abroad for a semester.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

• Year 1: 30% scheduled learning & teaching, 70% independent learning
• Year 2: 29% scheduled learning & teaching, 71% independent learning
• Year 3: 21% scheduled learning & teaching, 79% independent learning
• Year 4: 23% scheduled learning & teaching, 77% independent learning

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• design and problem-solving exercises
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

• Year 1: 54% written exam, 37% coursework, 9% practical exam
• Year 2: 50% written exam, 47% coursework, 3% practical exam
• Year 3: 18% written exam, 82% coursework
• Year 4: 33% written exam, 64% coursework, 3% practical exam

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Self-management
• Confidence
• Leadership
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Networking
• EDI leadership
• Adaptability
• Problem solving
• Resilience

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Information and Communication
• Manufacturing
• Education
• Finance and Insurance
• Public Administration and Defence
• Scientific and Technical

Careers directly related to this course:

• Systems engineer
• Communications design engineer
• Research engineer
• Electronic engineer
• Software engineer
• Hardware engineer
• Network engineer
• Systems architect
• Cloud engineer

Wider career opportunities:

• Software developer
• Data scientist
• IT project manager
• University lecturer
• Patent attorney
• IT consultant

Example job titles of Southampton MEng Software Engineering graduates:

• Software engineer
• Software developer
• Computer scientist
• Technical consultant
• Data scientist
• Machine learning engineer
• Game programmer
• Business development engineer
• Cyber security consultant
• Process engineer

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students: £9,535
• EU and international students: £29,400

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs.

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 to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub 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 EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.