BSc (Hons) Software Engineering
Are you fascinated by the creativity of technology and software? Our software engineering course gives you the skills and practical experience to jump-start your career.
Key facts
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2023, January 2024
- Duration 36 months or 48 months
- Mode of study part time, full time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code G600
- Study abroad opportunities
Accreditations
BCS (Chartered Institute for IT)
Overview
Are you fascinated by the creative possibilities of technology and software? Do you love solving complex problems as part of a team? If yes, software engineering could be the career for you. You’ll be in high demand for developing the systems that are the foundation and glue of our modern world, and that transform our experiences in communications, business, entertainment, gaming and healthcare.
Our degree will teach you creativity, logical analysis, problem-solving and how teamwork builds complex systems. You’ll study practice and techniques for real-world software design and associated programming technologies, gaining practical experience in software development.
Our graduates are highly sought-after. To help you build strong links with industry, we offer three-month summer placements and one-year placements with local SMEs and large corporates. Students also have the opportunity to engage with an international teaching environment through our exchange programmes.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
BCS (Chartered Institute for IT)
Prizes or awards
Each year we offer the following prizes:
- Outstanding performance in 1st year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 2nd year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 3rd year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 4th year Computing Science modules
- A Faculty research prize for an outstanding research project
- BCS Glasgow prize: Best honours project
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
ABBB - by the end of S5
AABB - by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
For year 1 entry, there are no course specific requirements for this programme although some experience of computer programming is beneficial.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
35 points
Essential subjects
Subjects to include Computing and relevant experience of Java or other programming languages.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only. Please check the SWAP progression routes document for details.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may by possible depending on your qualifications. To find out more go to our advanced entry page.
Additional information
General entrance requirements apply
If you’ve taken exams over two sittings, repeated an exam, or been upgraded, the entrance requirements may be higher.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
During Semesters 1-3, students from all three of our computing-related degrees (Computing Science, Software Engineering and Business Computing) take the same core modules in Computing Science, plus two other subjects. Core topics include: Computational Thinking; Programming Using Java; Social and Professional Issues; Database Principles and Application; Data Structures, Objects and Algorithms. In Semester 1, Software Engineering students must also take a Mathematics module that is specifically designed to help with their understanding of networks, logic and algorithms.
Semesters 4-8 cover compulsory modules - including Programming Language Principles, Software Engineering, Computer Security and Networks - plus optional modules, including: Artificial Intelligence; Web Services; Mobile App Development. The combination of compulsory and optional modules give you the opportunity to explore your particular interests while providing a solid foundation of core computing concepts.
You’ll undertake an independent project in your final year, which involves the design and development of a major piece of software from initial requirements to final delivery.
Our students also enjoy access to an active Computer Club that organises a number of activities and projects for those interested in Computing Science and Software Engineering.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
Computing Science at Stirling has been ranked 7th in the UK in the 2022 Guardian University Guide. Furthermore, the University of Stirling have been awarded five star excellence for teaching by the QS Stars University Ratings 2021.
Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. You’ll learn about Software Engineering through lectures, small tutorial groups and practical labs, where concepts taught in lectures are implemented and tested. You’ll complete a number of modules that will involve team-based software design, development and testing.
Computing Science at Stirling is part of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) Scotland-wide pooling initiative in research and knowledge exchange, as well as The DataLab, Scotland's Innovation Centre for data and AI.
Our research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading research. Our staff are engaged with funded research from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as well as funding from the European Union FP7 Programme, and other UK Research Councils and funding agencies.
Assessment
We teach Software Engineering as a very practical subject, and almost all modules include practical assignments. Typically, these count for 50 percent of the assessment grade per module, with the remainder given to the exam. For an Honours degree, the grades for all advanced modules taken in Semesters 5-8 are combined to give your final degree classification.
Work placement opportunities
We help our students to build strong links with industry through three-month summer placements and one-year placements. Both of these are offered to third year students. Placement opportunities are available with local SMEs as well as large corporate companies. Year 3 contains a professional development course, which is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to secure a placement and, ultimately, job.
Our Careers and Employability Service is ranked 1st in Scotland and Top 5 in the UK (UK International Student Barometer (ISB) Benchmark and Global ISB Benchmark 2018). They will not only help you to secure placements but also offer all the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability or think about further study.
Study abroad
You can study abroad through our well-established connections with North American, Australian and European universities.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820 * |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| European Union students | £18,800 | £20,300 |
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £18,800 | £20,300 |
Scottish students
* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
For EU students starting studies in academic year 2022/23, we will award an automatic scholarship of up to £30k over the duration of your course. This is subject to eligibility criteria.
Students from the Republic of Ireland should see the fee and funding information under England, Wales, NI and Republic of Ireland.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding opportunities
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
The University of Stirling offers undergraduate funding opportunities for students domiciled in Scotland. To find out if you’re eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
EU students
For EU students starting studies in academic year 2022/23, we will award an automatic scholarship of up to £30k over the duration of your course. This is subject to eligibility criteria.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
The Undergraduate Choice Scholarship provides a £1,000 cash award to all students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland who meet the conditions of their offer and select the University of Stirling as their Firm or Insurance choice on UCAS.
The University also offers the Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, which is awarded to selected students and provides a £1,000 cash award per year for years 1-3 of study. To be considered for the Merit Scholarship, students require a minimum of AAB at A-level or equivalent.
In addition, students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland who enter in year 1 and progress successfully through years 2 and 3 will receive our Honours Year Scholarship, which covers the cost of undergraduate tuition fees in the Honours year of study.
You don’t need to apply for the awards listed above - we'll automatically identify your eligibility as part of the admissions process.
To explore other scholarships and learn more about funding opportunities, use our scholarship finder.
Students domiciled overseas
The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
What jobs can you do with a Software Engineering degree?
From software development to data analysis, our computer science graduates have a range of opportunities open to them. According to the 2020 ScotlandIS Scottish Technology Industry survey, about 100,000 people are working in digital technologies professions. This is a growth of 9% since 2016. The growth has been strongest in web design and development, IT business analysts, architects and systems designers, programmers and software development professionals.
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- software engineering
- specialist IT
- financial services
- gaming
- communications
- business
- public services
- analyst programming
- IT consultancy
- applications development
- web development
- systems development
Software Engineering graduates are in high-demand for both the software industry and one of the many fields in which computer systems are extensively used and developed. Our graduates emerge from our course with a wide range of IT skills and our industry placements will ease your transition into the job market.
Recent destinations for our graduates include Verint, JP Morgan, Accenture, Logica, Microsoft, Google, HSBC, Capgemini, Natural Power and Adobe Systems Inc.
This course provides a perfect foundation for progressing to our postgraduate qualifications.
Employability skills
You’ll gain many computing-related skills and your professional skills will develop through practical experience with potential employers, work-based learning, and your year-long project in your final year. We also support and encourage you to develop personal effectiveness skills.
Companies we work with
We have connections with the following organisation via placements, internships and industrial liaison:
- Accenture
- ARM
- Calnex Solutions
- Diagio
- GE Digital
- Honeywell
- JP Morgan
- Mage Control Systems
- Modus Scotland
- Morgan Stanley
- Natural Power
- NHS
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Sainsbury's Bank
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Scottish Government
- Scottish Water
- Sports Scotland
- Verint
- Wood MacKenzie
What our students said
Scotland
BSc (Hons) Software Engineering
Read Craig's storyOverall my time at Stirling has helped me develop a broad range of skills and explore interests that will have a positive impact on my future career.
Flexible study
This course is not available as a combined degree.