Software Engineering BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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The Software Engineering course at Coventry University covers the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to be successful in this fast-paced, ever-changing industrial sector.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

G600

Start date

January 2025 - condensed


Course overview

There is an ongoing need for excellent software engineering graduates with the skills to approach careers requiring excellent programming skills, including (but not limited to) specialist software developers, web front- and back-end developers, app developers, and internet-of-things developers.

  • Master the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to develop software solutions that address demanding user expectations and complex customer requirements.
  • Become an expert in the full stack skills required to be a software engineer.
  • Gain industry-relevant experience as you apply real-world, commercial software engineering practices within teams of your peers, preparing you for your career after graduation.
  • The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Activity-Led Learning focus helps you consolidate what you’re taught through practical application of everything you’re covering in lectures.
  • Potential opportunity to spend a year on an industrial placement, with salary2.
  • Strong professional skills focus.
  • Hybrid, online and asynchronous learning to support students with different needs across a range of locations.
  • If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

What you'll study

Study themes include Software Engineering, Theory of Computation, App Development, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence.

In your first year, you’ll be taught the fundamental skills and concepts needed to begin your journey as a computer scientist and software engineer. You’ll explore the mathematical and technical foundations of computing, and you’ll apply those principles in regular laboratory sessions which help solidify your understanding.

You’ll also begin developing the professional skills you’ll need in your day-to-day career upon graduation: working as part of a team, the ethical and legal issues around data systems, and software unit testing. 

Modules

In your second year, you’ll explore some of the more specialised and advanced topics within software engineering, including web development, data science, and user experience. Building on the skills you developed in the first year, you’ll refine your approach to software engineering mastering more advanced approaches and diving further into complex, large-scale real-world software.  

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. 
If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement. 

Modules

The final stage of the BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering builds on the advanced topics which were introduced in stage two, while allowing you to decide for yourself which areas you wish to specialise in as you finish your degree. In addition, this year includes your major project, where you bring everything you have learned to bear upon a specific challenge related to software engineering, and devise your own solution.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Our teaching is active, applied, social and inclusive. We work interactively to address your needs as an individual, and support you to maximise your outcomes.

Learning is facilitated through a variety of methods which can include:

  • Lectures and lectorials
  • Seminars
  • Interactive labs
  • Interactive workshops
  • Online activities
  • Groupwork

As a student, you may engage in both class and online activities and discussions. There will be a range of online materials, accessible at any time, through our online platform, currently Aula. You will participate in additional guided reading and self-directed study to reinforce the learning gained from timetabled sessions. Formative feedback will be used to prepare you for assessment and support your progress towards success at module, year, and ultimately degree levels.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Individual coursework
  • Group coursework
  • Exams
  • Tests
  • Essays
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Vivas
  • Core assessments (these are pass / fail and can be attempted multiple times)

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

The degree offers a range of international experiences including:

  • COIL projects – online internationalised learning, working with University students based in other countries.
  • Fieldtrips – short trips of one or two weeks to visit other countries for cultural and learning experiences.
  • Study Abroad optional extra year – live and study abroad for a year between your second and final years.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
BTEC DMM in IT or a technical subject
IB Diploma 29 points to include either Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level
GCSE requirement 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Optional international field trips: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

The School of Computing, Mathematics and Data Science is based in the Engineering and Computing Building, and the attached Beatrice Shilling Building.

Both buildings are high-specification learning environments which benefit from extensive social learning facilities4, well-appointed laboratories, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

We offer a range of modern, up-to-date facilities to support your learning:

  • State of the art PC labs running the latest software
  • Online browser-based software accessible anywhere, including online IDEs
  • A dedicated programming support centre for when you need extra help with coding

Careers and opportunities

The Software Engineering degree will equip you with the knowledge, technical skills, and professional skills for a career in the computing industry. On successful completion of the degree, you will be able to:

  • Program. You will create working solutions to a variety of computational and real world problems using an appropriate programming language (or languages) for the task.
  • Think computationally. You will be able to create, develop and evaluate algorithms, and measure and optimise algorithm complexity.
  • Develop software. You will develop a product from the initial stage of requirements all the way through development to its final stages of testing and evaluation.
  • Solve problems in a range of key application areas including web and app development, machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence.
  • Work professionally. You will understand professional practice, both technical, and social, ethical and legal responsibilities. You will be equipped with a range of graduate level attributes including thinking critically, contributing confidently, communicating effectively, and collaborating collegiately.

Computer Science is changing the world. Technologies produced by computer scientists now support and enhance all areas of our modern lives, from e-commerce, through social networking, to smart cities. Ongoing technological developments, innovations and breakthroughs depend crucially on skills in computer science. The Software Engineering degree teaches these skills, and, equipped with them, you’ll be able to pursue your preferred career as a software developer in the computing industry.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates have worked with a variety of companies ranging from startups through SMEs to large familiar names.

Further study

The Software Engineering degree serves as a basis for a wide range of standalone master’s degrees, both at Coventry University, nationally and internationally. It is also possible to undertake a PhD.   

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