Program Overview

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Software Engineering - BEng (Hons)

Overview

Computing@Ulster - empowering the graduates of tomorrow through excellence in teaching, research and technology transfer.

Summary

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.

You will be equipped with the skills necessary to work in the software industry or a commercial IT department having gained expertise in the analysis and implementation of the engineering process and the assurance of an advanced knowledge of supportive software engineering techniques.

You will study the theory and principles of programming and software development and put them into practice using a variety of contemporary programming languages and tools.

You will develop programming expertise in a variety of languages, for example, Python and Java and examine areas such as Information Infrastructures, Professional Skills, Software Quality, Physical Computing and Web Development.

Given the variety of computing applications in the Software Engineering field, there are a number of jobs that will be accessible for a Software Engineering graduate such as Software Developer, Database Engineer, Reliability Engineering, Software Testing Engineer and Security Specialist.

Award

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

School

School of Computing

Campus

Belfast campus

UCAS code

G600

Start date

September 2026

Duration

4 years

Attendance

This course lasts four years and includes a Professional Practice year or study abroad option.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The course is delivered using several teaching and learning methods including Lectures, Tutorials and Practical Laboratory Session.

Lectures are used to present and illustrate basic theory and fundamental principles and are normally supplemented by tutorials which elaborate on lecture content and provide opportunities for the student to use their problem-solving skill and to examine problem solutions in greater detail.

Practical Laboratory Classes enable the practical application of theoretical concepts, facilitating a deeper understanding of key topics. In programming laboratories, there is an emphasis on small group tutoring and support.

Modules are assessed through a wide variety of methods including class tests, individual and collaborative coursework assignments, project dissertations, oral presentations, vodcasts and video demonstrations. A common assessment pattern in modules is a first piece of assessment which seeks to ensure the acquisition of core knowledge as preparation for a more substantive practical skills assessment.

Academic profile

The teaching and support of the programme is provided by the academic staff in the School of Computing.

Academic staff in the School are qualified to teach in higher education with most of them holding at least a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice. The majority of academic staff in the School (80%) are accredited fellows or senior fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) – the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Within the School of Computing courses are taught by staff who are Professors (20%), Readers/Senior Lecturers (29%) and Lecturers (51%). Graduate Demonstrators and contract research staff support the academic staff who teach on the course in laboratory classes and programming clinics across all the years in the course including final year project support.

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)
• Embedded Systems (optional)

Standard entry conditions

• A level: BBB or BBC including Grade B from one of Mathematics/Further 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 DDM
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 120 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 BBBCC. All subject areas considered.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades CCC. All subject areas considered.
• International Baccalaureate: Overall profile is minimum 26 points to include 13 at Higher Level to include Grade 4 in Mathematics and English Language.
• Access to Higher Education (HE): Overall profile of 65% 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).

Careers & opportunities

• Graduate employers: BT, CITI, Kainos, Liberty IT, Whitehat Security, PWC, Allstate NI
• Job roles: Software Engineer, Systems Developer, Applications Security Specialist, Technical Analyst, Web Developer, Quality Assurance Engineer, Consultant
• Career options: As a graduate with skills in Software Engineering, you will have many career opportunities available to you in a wide range of commercial and industrial organisations developing new software, as project managers, systems analysts, planning and technical manager, information manager. You may also work in database environments or become a consultant.

Professional Recognition

• Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.
• Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Fees and funding

• Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.
• Scholarships, awards and prizes are available each year to reflect individual academic excellence in specific areas of study or across year groups.