Software Engineering

Program Overview

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Software Engineering

Overview

Software Engineering is a four-year extended degree that has been established to provide a supply of particularly well-qualified graduates who will become industry leaders. It has a blend of Software Engineering knowledge and skills and business practice and management. Students can undertake a year of professional experience.

Course Structure

Stage 1

Reasoning for Problem Solving
Introduction to Software Engineering
Foundation of Computing Systems

Stage 2

Stage 2 themes build on Stage 1 to include core aspects of Software Engineering such as database design and networking.

Students taking the Single Honours BEng spend a year on a paid full-time placement. The School has links with over 500 local, national and international employers eg BT, Liberty, Asidua, Kainos (Belfast), IBM (England), Microsoft, Sun Microsystems (Dublin), Fujitsu (Japan) and Siemens (Germany), and students are assisted in obtaining placements. It is expected that students would gain a Licentiateship of the City & Guilds from this period of work experience

Topics may include:-

Professional Computing Practice
Architecture and Networks
Data Structures Algorithms and Programming Languages
Information Modelling
Software Development
Software Engineering

Stage 3

Along with working on a software engineering project these advanced topics permit each student to tailor their skills towards one or more areas of software engineering specialism.

Topics may include:

Concurrent Programming
Agile & Component Based Development using NET
Information System Security
Formal Methods
Software Design Principles and Patterns
Advanced Computer Architecture

Stage 4

This four-year extended degree has been established to provide a supply of particularly well-qualified graduates who will become industry leaders. It has a blend of Software Engineering knowledge and skills and business practice and management. Students can undertake a year of professional experience.

Transferring from BEng to the MEng is possible for selected students at the end of Stage 2, subject to satisfactory performance.

Topics may include:

Research and Development Project
Advanced Software Engineering
HPC Principle Parallel Program
Advanced Intelligent Information Systems
Algorithms: Analysis and Application

Entrance Requirements

A-level

AAB including at least one preferred A-level (see list below) + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4
OR
AAA including at least one relevant A-level (see list below) + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.

Irish Leaving Certificate

H2H3H3H3H3H3 including at least one preferred Leaving Certificate subject at grade H3 (see list below) + Ordinary Level grade O4 in Mathematics if not offered at Higher Level
OR
H2H2H3H3H3H3 including at least one relevant Leaving Certificate subject at grade H3 (see list below) + Ordinary Level grade O4 in Mathematics

International Baccalaureate Diploma

34 points overall including 6,6,5 at Higher Level to include at least one preferred Higher Level subject (see list below)
OR
36 points overall including 6,6,6 at Higher Level to include at least one relevant Higher Level subject (see list below)

If not offered at Higher Level/GCSE then Standard Level grade 4 in English and Mathematics would be accepted.

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

A relevant computing QCF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits), with DDD + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.
OR
A relevant computing RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)), with DDD + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.
OR
A relevant engineering or scientific QCF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits), with DDD* + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.
OR
A relevant engineering or scientific RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)), with DDD* + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:1 Honours Degree, provided that subject specific requirements are met

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Computer Science, Computing Information Technology and Software Engineering share a common core of modules in the first year, so students may therefore transfer between these degrees at the end of first year, subject to meeting the normal progression requirements.

Preferred subjects: Mathematics, Computing or Software Systems Development

Relevant subjects: Chemistry, Digital Technology, ICT, Physics, Technology and Design or Double Award Applied ICT

How We Choose Our Students

In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Once your application has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form, which is considered by a member of administrative staff from the Admissions and Access Service and, if appropriate, the Selector from the School. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS. These decisions can only be made on the basis of the information given and applicants must show due care and diligence when completing their applications. In particular, full details must be included about qualifications completed or still to be completed.

For entry last year, applicants must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of six GCSE passes at grade B/6 or better though this profile may change from year to year depending on the demand for places. Applicants must have GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better in English Language and Mathematics. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.

Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered.

The offer for repeat candidates is normally the same as the offer for first time applicants. For repeat applicants acceptable grades may be held from the previous year.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not normally considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking 4 A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview.

Applicants who apply for the MEng degree will automatically be reconsidered for the BEng course if they are not eligible for entry to the MEng degree, both at initial offer-making stage and when results are received. Applicants will be offered a place on the BEng course, provided that they satisfy the normal entry requirements for admission to the BEng course.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

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English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at:

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £4,855
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Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £4,855
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £9,535
EU Other 3 | £26,600
International | £26,600

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Additional Course Costs

Students may wish to become a student member of the British Computer Society at an annual cost of £37.

How Do I Fund My Study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at

Modules

Year 1

• Introduction to Computer Architecture (20 credits)
• Data Driven Systems (20 credits)
• Introduction to Cyber Security (20 credits)
• Fundamentals of Maths for Computing (20 credits)

Year 2

• Service-Oriented Programming (20 credits)
• Professional and Transferrable Skills (20 credits)
• Data Structures and Algorithms (20 credits)
• Software Engineering and Systems Development (40 credits)

Year 3

• Cloud Computing (20 credits)
• Secure Software Development (20 credits)
• Network Security (20 credits)
• Malware Analysis (20 credits)
• Video Analytics and Machine Learning (20 credits)
• Advanced Computer Architecture (20 credits)
• Team-based Software Innovation (20 credits)
• Software Testing (20 credits)
• Software Design Principles, Patterns, Practice and Innovation (20 credits)
• Concurrent Programming (20 credits)

Year 4

• Research and Development Project (40 credits)
• Digital Transformation: Software Design, Management and Practical Implementation (20 credits)
• Parallel and Distributed Computing (20 credits)
• Fairness, Interpretability and Privacy in Machine Learning (20 credits)
• Advanced Computer Engineering (20 credits)
• Algorithms: Analysis and Application (20 credits)

Core Modules

• Introduction to Computer Architecture (20 credits)
• Data Driven Systems (20 credits)
• Introduction to Cyber Security (20 credits)
• Fundamentals of Maths for Computing (20 credits)
• Service-Oriented Programming (20 credits)
• Professional and Transferrable Skills (20 credits)
• Data Structures and Algorithms (20 credits)
• Software Engineering and Systems Development (40 credits)
• Cloud Computing (20 credits)
• Research and Development Project (40 credits)
• Digital Transformation: Software Design, Management and Practical Implementation (20 credits)

Optional Modules

• Object Oriented Programming (20 credits)
• Introduction to Embedded Systems (20 credits)
• Procedural Programming (20 credits)
• Programming (20 credits)
• Networks and Protocols (20 credits)
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (20 credits)
• Systems Security and Cryptography (20 credits)
• Secure Software Development (20 credits)
• Network Security (20 credits)
• Malware Analysis (20 credits)
• Video Analytics and Machine Learning (20 credits)
• Advanced Computer Architecture (20 credits)
• Team-based Software Innovation (20 credits)
• Software Testing (20 credits)
• Software Design Principles, Patterns, Practice and Innovation (20 credits)
• Concurrent Programming (20 credits)
• Parallel and Distributed Computing (20 credits)
• Fairness, Interpretability and Privacy in Machine Learning (20 credits)
• Advanced Computer Engineering (20 credits)
• Algorithms: Analysis and Application (20 credits)