Program Overview

---

BEng (Honours) Software Engineering

Course summary

Gain experience across the full software development lifecycle and build the skills to excel in a fast-changing industry.

How you learn

You'll be taught by experts in software, artificial intelligence, robotics and engineering, many of whom have extensive experience in industry. Our team is passionate about our research – we have designed new products for organisations such as Guildhawk, the NHS and Raytheon.

Our teaching methods include practical work, problem-solving and teamwork, allowing you to take an active approach to your learning.

The course starts by helping you develop practical skills in creating software applications through lectures and hands-on tutorial sessions. By your second year, you’ll then have the opportunity to collaborate on real-world projects to produce software prototypes introduced and inspired by industry.

During your final year, you’ll create your own software application, guided by a dedicated project supervisor. Many of our students also work with industry partners on their final year projects.

You learn through:

• Lectures
• Hands-on lab sessions and tutorials
• Regular feedback
• Teamwork and group-based learning
• Practice-based applied learning
• Discussions
• Self-study

You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas.

These include:

• Access to specialist services to help with your personal, academic and career development
• Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
• Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities

Applied learning

Work experience

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long work placement between your second and third year. We have connections with a range of employers including IBM, Nissan, Intel, and Walt Disney, and we’ll support you to set up work experience that’s right for you.

Lots of students go on to secure a graduate role with their host employer after completing their placement year.

Students from this course have worked with companies such as:

• 3Squared
• CSE Servelec
• IBM
• Intel
• SN Systems
• Nissan
• Walt Disney

Your placement year will allow you to gain an Applied Professional Diploma in addition to your degree which will enhance your graduate profile and give you the edge with future employers.

Live projects

In your first and second years you’ll work in a group on a real client-based project. You’ll analyse their requirements, then design, implement and test a prototype which you’ll present to your client.

This will allow you to experience the types of demands faced by commercial software engineers – as well as increasing your confidence while you’re applying for your work placements.

Students have worked on live projects for clients including Next, XLN, Elanco, Elaros, IBM and Autodesk. These have included using augmented reality and 3D technologies, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, cloud services and mobile development.

Students have often found placements with the client as a result of the excellent work they’ve done for these live projects.

Networking opportunities

Throughout the course there are numerous opportunities for you to engage with career management, career fairs and workshops, employer presentations, visits and professional advisers.

Take advantage of our links with companies such as IBM, Next, Autodesk and Elanco to form relationships and build the contacts you need to further your career.

We’ll also encourage you to network with other students across computing disciplines, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. Many of our students are involved in computing societies such as Women in Tech Society and CyberSoc.

We often invite employers on campus to host workshops and lecture on topics such as software development, project management and routes into a career in computing.

Plus, you’ll have the chance to attend regular talks put on by British Computer Society (BCS) Yorkshire – the chartered institute for IT.

Professional development

We want you to have as many chances as possible to hone your skills as a programmer and set yourself up for success. We host student programming clinics where you can receive one-to-one mentorship, as well as weekly coding workshops.

We’re a member of the Turing University Network, allowing us to offer Continuing Professional Development courses across the University. You can also undertake professional accreditations in project management and business analysis.

Study abroad

Keen to study abroad? We are partnered with a number of universities across the globe including La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, allowing you the chance to study abroad for a semester.

Competitions

Showcase your work at the Festival of Computing, an annual event giving you the opportunity to show your work to peers, academics and representatives from industry.
You'll also have the chance to attend the Festival of Code which runs two to three times a year, and is similar to a hackathon. Over the course of a weekend, you’ll work to solve a problem as part of a team.

Modules

Year 1

• Databases And System Modelling
• Programming
• Software Projects
• Web Development

Year 2

• Applied Software Engineering
• Professional Software Projects
• Systems Programming
• Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 1
• Game Development
• Handling Data In The Cloud
• Mobile Applications Development
• Study Abroad - Computing And Digital Technologies

Year 3

• Development Project
• Management Of It Projects
• Software Architecture And Design
• Contemporary Software Engineering
• Machine Learning Algorithms And Heuristics
• Robotics
• Secure Software Engineering

Future careers

This course will provide you with skills that are in high demand in an increasingly digital society. Average starting salaries in the computing sector begin at around £30,000 per year.

This course prepares you for a career in:

• Software development
• Web-based applications
• Mobile app development
• Systems and IT support
• Project management
• IT consultancy

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:

• Capita
• SkyBet
• Raspberry Pi Foundation
• 3Squared (a digital solutions and software firm set up by alumni of this course)

Equipment and facilities

You'll study in our Home of Digital Technologies, completing projects in learning labs that simulate industry. Our facilities are world-class, home to seven dedicated cyber security labs – the largest set up in the country. We also have one of the world's largest PlayStation teaching labs.

On this course you’ll work with and have access to:

• Modern software IDEs including Visual Studio
• Industry-standard software
• State-of-the-art hardware
• Internet of Things and SBC devices

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

Entry requirements

All students

• 112-120 UCAS points
• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4
• Maths at grade C or 4

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.

Fees and funding

Home students

• Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year).

International students

• Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,000 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

Student success

• 84% say staff value students' views and opinions about the course
• 84% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.