Program Overview

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Software Engineering - MEng (Hons)

Overview

The Software Engineering programme is aimed at those motivated by the value of an engineering approach to the development of software systems and who enjoy finding elegant solutions to complex software problems. The demand for these graduates from the software industry is relentless.

Award

Master of Engineering with Honours

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

School

School of Computing

Campus

Belfast campus

UCAS code

G603

Start date

September 2025

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

We are passionate about sharing with our students the vital role they each have now and as future professionals in promoting a sustainable future for all. We believe that sustainability is not the domain of one discipline or profession. It is the responsibility of all disciplines, professions, organisations and individuals.

Career Opportunities

With this degree you could become:

• Consultant
• R&D
• Requirements Analyst
• Software Development Manager
• Planning and Technical Management

Graduate Employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• All State NI
• BT
• CITI
• Kainos
• Liberty IT
• PWC

Modules

Year one

• Object Oriented Programming
• Introduction to Databases
• Client Side Development
• Introduction to Physical Computing
• Problem Solving for Computing
• Innovation and Society

Year two

• Computer Networking
• Software Testing
• Systems Security
• Server Side Development
• Software Product and Process Management
• Algorithms & Data Structures

Year three

• International Academic Studies (optional)
• Professional Practice - Computing (optional)

Year four

• Full-Stack Strategies and Development
• Software Quality and Engineering Management
• Computing Project
• Cloud Native Development
• Enterprise Networks (optional)
• Edge and Embedded Intelligence (optional)

Year five

• Software Product Management
• Digital Transformation
• Software Engineering Group Project
• Pervasive Computing
• Intelligence Engineering and Infrastructure

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

AAA or AAB requiring an A Level Grade A in one of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Software Systems Development, Computing or Computer Science (not IT/ICT))

Applied General Qualifications

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma

Award profile of DDD

Irish Leaving Certificate

144 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher Level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

Grades ABBBB. All subject areas considered.

Scottish Advanced Highers

Grades ABB. All subject areas considered.

International Baccalaureate

Overall profile is minimum 29 points (including 14 at Higher Level).

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 75% (to include a Pass in NICATS Maths (level 2) or a Pass in Introductory Maths for Computing (level 2) or GCSE Mathematics grade C (or an alternative Mathematics qualification acceptable to the University) for entry to year 1 (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course).

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent).

English Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Additional Entry Requirements

HNC Year 1 Entry: Pass HNC with overall Distinction to include all Level 4 credits at Distinction for year 1 entry. GCSE Maths Grade C/4 or an alternative Mathematics qualification acceptable to the University is also required.

HND Year 1 Entry: Overall Distinction to include distinctions in 105 L5 credits. Applicants must have GCSE Maths grade C or alternative Maths qualification acceptable to the University i.e Maths module in BTEC L3 qual.

Foundation Degree Year 2 Entry: Pass in Foundation Degree with an overall mark of 70%, and minimum 55% in all taught level 5 modules. To include GCSE Maths Grade C/4 or an alternative Mathematics qualification acceptable to the University is also required.

Fees and funding

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees: £4,855.00

England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees: £9,535.00

International Fees: £17,010.00

Scholarships, awards and prizes

A variety of scholarships, awards and prizes are available each year to reflect individual academic excellence in specific areas of study or across year groups.

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Sustainability at Ulster

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.

At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.

We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.

Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.