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 2021, January 2022, September 2022, January 2023
Duration 36 months or 48 months
Mode of study Campus based
UCAS Code G600
Study abroad opportunities

Accreditations

BCS (Chartered Institute for IT)

Overview

Find out more about Changes at Stirling, including how you'll be taught, start dates and how we're making campus safer.

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.

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. 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

Develop strong professional skills through industry placements with local enterprises and large multi-nationals.

We are ranked Top 10 in the UK for Computing Science (National Student Survey 2021).

Graduates are accredited by the British Computer Society as a Chartered Information Technology Professional.

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

Entry requirements for your country/region

Please select your country/region of residence:

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.

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

Due to disruption in English Language testing caused by COVID-19, we are accepting alternative English Language tests (including online English Language Tests).

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

IELTS Indicator 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
Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

Last updated: 1 February 2021

If you are from India, Ghana or Nigeria please also check your country/region specific page for any additional, or changes to, English language requirements.

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 is intended only as an example of what you may study and features details for the current academic year (2021/22). Modules are regularly reviewed and are subject to future changes.

Course details

Teaching

In the most recent NSS student survey (2021) computing science at Stirling was ranked 4th in Scotland, and top 10 in the UK. Furthermore, the University of Stirling have been awarded five star excellence for teaching by the QS World University Rankings 2020.

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.

Contact

Dr David Cairns

+44 (0) 1786 467445

dec@cs.stir.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Select fee status:

Academic year:	2021/22	2022/23
Scottish students	£1,820*	£1,820 ^*
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland	£9,250	£9,250
European Union students	£17,900	£18,800
Overseas students (non-EU)	£17,900	£18,800

* 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.

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 who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, Islands or Ireland and are starting a course of study in Scotland in session 2021/22 will be entitled to apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for funding. See more information on the SAAS website.

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.

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.

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 2021/22, 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.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling.

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 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, 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 liason:

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What our students said

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Craig Docherty
Scotland
BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

Overall 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.

Read Craig's story

View more student stories

Flexible study

This course is not available as a combined degree.

BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

Key facts

Accreditations

Top reasons to study with us

Professional accreditation

Prizes or awards

Discover Uni

What our students said

Flexible study

Related courses

What next?