Program Overview

Computer Science (Software Engineering) BSc (Hons)

Year of entry

• 2025 - for 2026 entry see here - for 2025 entry see here

UCAS code

• G412

Duration of study

• 3 years or 4 years with international or placement year

Course summary

For those who want to shape the way people interact with technology, our BCS accredited Computer Science (Software Engineering) programme combines a solid foundation in computing, mathematics, and programming, with training in managing software engineering activities, including team-based agile development techniques and processes. Through real-world challenges, placement opportunities and professional development, you’ll graduate with the practical, analytical and technical skills employers seek.

Why study Computer Science (Software Engineering) at Keele University?

• Accredited by the British Computer Society - The Chartered Institute for IT
• Graduate with a named specialism on your degree to highlight your skills to employers
• Enhance your employability by learning to programme in Python and Java
• Gain the professional, transferrable and employability skills that are highly valued in the workplace
• Access a wide range of equipment including supercomputer facilities and a VR lab to enhance your learning

Computer Science (Software Engineering) at Keele

Course overview

From the start of your journey, you will gain a robust grounding in computational problem-solving skills, programming and fundamental mathematics, to equip you with the skills required for further study. Building on these foundational topics, you will explore current and emerging areas in the field, including data science, artificial intelligence and software engineering.
By following the Software Engineering pathway you will learn the effective management of software engineering activities including the techniques and processes to undertake team-based agile development of software systems, based on the needs of clients and users.
Throughout the programme, you’ll engage with real-world scenarios to enhance your learning. You can spend time in industry on a year-long or modular placement, develop professional, and employability skills and even pursue a personal interest in computer science by proposing a project that showcases your knowledge and skills. To align your learning to areas you are passionate about, you can personalise your degree, by choosing from a variety of optional modules.
In your final year you will unleash your creativity and undertake a substantial piece of research, applying theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills to a software engineering-related technical, software, research or business problem. Your final year project is an excellent opportunity for you to draw together skills in experimental study design, critical interpretation of data, presentation and project management. You will also deepen your understanding in your specialism, whilst choosing optional modules in subjects that are aligned to your interests.

Modules for Computer Science (Software Engineering)

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to Programming
• Computer Systems and Fundamentals
• Mathematical Foundations of Computing
• Introduction to Algorithms
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Professional Practice in Computing

Optional modules

• Cybercrime
• Computer Graphics and Animation
• Computer Games Development
• Flexible Work Placement (Level 5)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Database Systems
• Web Technologies
• Data Science Techniques
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Software Engineering
• Computational and Artificial Intelligence I

Optional modules

• Individual Study Topic in CS
• Computer Graphics and Animation
• Computer Games Development
• Flexible Work Placement (Level 5)

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Computer Science Project
• Software Development Management

Optional modules

• Machine Learning Applications
• Cyber Security
• Advanced Programming and Software Design
• Programming for Virtual Worlds
• Professional Experience in Education
• Flexible Work Placement (Level 6)
• Advanced Databases and Applications
• Communications and Networks
• Advanced Web Technologies
• Computational and Artificial Intelligence II
• Data Ethics and Security

Entry requirements

• A Level: BBB Subject specifics apply
• BTEC: DDM Subject specifics apply
• T Level: Merit Subject specifics apply
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 555 in three Higher Levels or 30 points
• International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme: Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBB and Grade C in EAP English Language module
• Access to HE Diploma: 122 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma, including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits
• Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru: The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A levels in a standard A level offer for this course
• Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers: BBBCC in five Highers, or CC in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCC in three Advanced Highers
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer
• Core Maths: If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer

English language requirements

• All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English
• Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students

Alternative and contextual offers

• We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background
• We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications

Fees and funding

• Tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year:
  • UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval)
  • International: Band 1, £17,700 for the 2025/26 academic year
• For more information visit our undergraduate fees and funding pages

Supporting you

• Throughout your studies we will give you plenty of support and guidance to reach your full potential
• From an academic mentor to module leaders, our open-door policy makes it easy to reach us when you need help
• Based within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, you will also have access to a team of Student Experience & Support Officers (SESOs)

Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

• Keele University strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for all
• Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are core values underpinning the University’s mission to making a difference in society by providing innovative, high-quality education for students from all backgrounds and by undertaking world-leading research that transforms understanding and brings benefit to society, communities and individuals

Your future career

• You will graduate with a wide variety of subject specific and transferrable skills across many areas including problem solving, computational thinking, team working, management and modelling
• By choosing to specialise in the software engineering pathway, you will also gain skills in team-based development, agile methods, and hands-on experience with self-organising teams, reflecting on modern commercial practices
• The opportunities for graduates with computing skills are continuously growing
• Many of our graduates move into employment that is directly computing-related, for example as systems analysts, software engineers and consultants
• A number of graduates go on to study for higher degrees in a wide range of subject areas

Teaching, learning and assessment

• We embrace a modern approach to learning that includes a balanced mixture of immersive lectures and lab-based sessions
• Each taught module will include traditional lectures with support material provided via our virtual learning environment
• Our labs also offer remote accessibility
• You will also benefit from a variety of teaching and learning activities informed by and involving our partners from industry
• This includes a series of guest lectures from organisations such as Microsoft, the BBC, and CapGemini, as well as grouped and individual projects potentially involving real-world data from industry

Research

• Keele is at the forefront of research and our academics in Computer Science are internationally recognised leaders in research on synthetic biology, wearable technologies, health and cultural informatics, responsible artificial intelligence, computer vision, evolutionary robotics, automata theory, formal language, and theory of computation
• We focus on research that has the potential to create a significant impact on the computational understanding and engineering of complex systems, to improve people’s quality of life and to pave the way for world leading innovations that improve the security, reliability and quality of computing devices and services used in industry
• Keele is also in the unique position of hosting the first living laboratory for energy-efficient technologies: the multi-million-pound Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND)
• Our expertise feeds into modules in the latter years of your degree

Foundation year

• Studying a Foundation Year, for whatever reason, offers an alternative route to Keele, and provides a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree
• That extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, build your confidence
• Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete
• This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education
• On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele

International Foundation Year

• Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC)
• Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website