Advanced Software Engineering MSc

Program Overview

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Course Overview

This master’s degree course is designed for professionals from a computational discipline background with experience in programming and an interest in advanced software engineering. Using industry-standard hardware and specialist software, learn the advanced skills needed to pursue a successful career in software development and engineering.

What You'll Study

Gain practical experience in software design and full-stack applications development to deliver systems with a rich user experience. Gain industry-relevant experience in how to apply real-world, commercial software development practices and processes. Master sought-after skills in fields such as software architecture design, application development frameworks, software quality, testing and software security.

Modules

Advanced Software Development – 30 credits

This module provides a detailed overview of the methodologies, advanced tools and techniques required by modern software development, as well as exposing you to a range of essential soft skills, including leadership, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, teamwork, communication and project management. Through a team-based software development project focusing on a real-world problem, engage in the practical application of these tools and skills to develop high-quality software systems, according to professional standards.

Software Architecture and Design – 30 credits

This module covers the principles, practices, and frameworks that underpin the analysis and design of software architectures, enabling you to design robust, maintainable and scalable software according to professional industry standards.

Software Quality Assurance and Testing – 30 credits

This module provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills in Software Quality Assurance (SQA) and testing to deliver high-quality software systems.

Software Security – 30 credits

This module aims to equip you with advanced knowledge and skills in designing, developing, and assessing secure software systems. Focusing on the intersection of software engineering and cybersecurity, learn to identify common security vulnerabilities and apply techniques to prevent, detect, and mitigate security flaws.

Master’s with Professional Placement

If you successfully secure a placement in industry within your first semester, this master’s with professional placement option allows you to extend your 12-month master’s course up to an additional year to complete the placement before starting your final 60-credit module.

Individual Research Project – 60 credits

Learn the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake independent research, culminating in the production of a dissertation and associated artefacts.

How You'll Learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• presentations
• group projects
• workshops

Teaching Contact Hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements:

• UK: 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a computational discipline
• International: 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a computational discipline

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

Fees and Funding

Student | Full-time | Part-time
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UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £11,200
£1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) | Not available
EU | £11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary**
£1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year without EU Support Bursary** | Not available
International | £18,600
£1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) | Not available

Facilities

Facilities are located on our Coventry campus. Laboratories are equipped with the latest workstations and virtual applications which may include IntelliJ IDE, Microsoft Azure software packages.

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Careers and Opportunities

After successfully completing this course, you should have the technical skills, practical know-how and professional practice experience needed to create high-quality and real-world software solutions.

Where Our Graduates Work

You could find yourself pursuing roles such as:

• software engineer
• system analyst
• software architect
• software designer
• programmer
• web developer
• software tester
• information technology specialist

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

1Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

2UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

3Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

4Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.