I switched to software engineering because I wanted to learn things that were not in other courses. At first I was worried it would be too difficult, but I found it so interesting and engaging so that change has been really smooth.
David
I switched to software engineering because I wanted to learn things that were not in other courses. At first I was worried it would be too difficult, but I found it so interesting and engaging so that change has been really smooth.
David
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UCAS code:
I302Location(s):
CanterburyThis course is also available with a Foundation Year.
Software Engineering with Foundation Year
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Overview
Software Engineers who can collaborate with others in effective teams to produce reliable, robust software on time and on budget are in very high demand.
This is a dynamic course that will develop your skills in analysis, design, programming, testing and evaluation. You will learn to produce secure, high quality, usable and adaptable software systems.
This degree will also develop your skills in analysis, design, programming, testing and evaluation to produce software solutions, ensuring you have all the necessary skills to flourish in your career.
Why Study Software Engineering?
This innovative course has been designed in collaboration with industry and you’ll have the excellent opportunity to work with a range of employers. We offer a truly immersive learning opportunity where the applied side of the course provides the opportunity to solve problems provided by local industry. Working with your peers and other fields of engineering you will typically have the opportunity to apply theory to solving industry supplied work related/work based problems.
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Entry requirements
A typical offer would be 88-112 UCAS Tariff points including Level 3 qualifications in IT or Computing or Maths. Plus, 5 GCSEs at grade C, or above (or equivalent) including maths, science and English language).
BEng Software Engineering with Foundation Year is available for those who do not meet these entry requirements.
88-112
UCAS Points
All about the course
You’ll gain the engineering skills and knowledge needed to study at BEng level where you’ll use the pioneering CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate) approach to problem solve software challenges. We are one of only a handful of universities in the UK to offer the CDIO international engineering education model developed by MIT that allows you to learn in a practical, hands-on way to tackle real industrial problems.
The course will:
- Introduce you to the discipline of Software Engineering, including programming concepts
- Inform your choice of degree specialism in Computing
- Provide you with the study skills needed for a degree-level course
- Allow you to apply academic knowledge and skills to real world technical challenges.
This course will make use of computer laboratories, practicals and workshops to develop your technical subject and employability skills. You will have the opportunity to work in mixed engineering teams to research and solve industry work-related/based sourced problems. The CDIO approach will typically enable you to make contributions to industry - your software engineered prototype solution maybe the building block to a final solution used by industry.
During the BEng Software Engineering, you will be supported to develop your employability skills and job application skills to apply for year-long placement opportunities. Year-long placement opportunities in engineering often lead to opening doors to great potential engineering graduate employment opportunities with companies such as IBM, BULL, P&O, UEL and South Eastern Railway.
Work experience
You may opt to take a third year placement module, providing you meet the requirements of the Year in Industry. This allows you to put your classroom knowledge into practice.
We have also offered a number of paid summer student internships open to students to apply for. A previous opportunity involved two students who undertook a development internship with us to look at the production of a prototype healthcare system. This was used to demonstrate the capability of such a system to surgical teams in Kent.
Students on this programme can expect to go on a small number of optional trips such as the National Computing Museum at Bletchley Park. We also have a number of guest lecturers each year.
Module information
Please note that the list of optional modules and their availability may be subject to change. We continually review and where appropriate, revise the range of modules on offer to reflect changes in the subject and ensure the best student experience. Modules will vary when studied in combination with another subject.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
This degree uses a Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate-like structure – where some of your teaching will be done via real-world inspired projects. You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical labs. You will typically have around 12 contact hours per week and are expected to also spend about 4 hours each week co-ordinating with team members on group activities. Labs will often emphasise working in small groups to enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and place theory into practice.
You will also have regular scheduled meetings, in addition to the above contact hours, with an assigned academic personal tutor, which is your first point of contact for assistance to your undergraduates needs.
Your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select.
All programmes are informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2022.
When not attending timetabled sessions it is expected you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves completing computer-based exercises, preparing for workshops and seminars, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, undertaking coursework assignments or preparing for class-tests and examinations and reading journal articles and books. Your module leader will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
For your final year individual study (dissertation), you will undertake independent research and will be assigned a supervisor; who will guide you through your first substantial and independent work through regular scheduled meetings.
Your overall workload typically consists of 12 contact hours and an additional 25 hours of independent learning. In addition, there may be field trips.
For each 20-credit module, your study time will about 10 hours a week plus work on assessments or preparation for examinations. Assessments would normally be expected to take approximately 50 hours for an assignment worth 50% of a 20 credit module. A similar amount of preparation and revision time would be expected for an examination worth 50% of a 20 credit module.
The team consists of highly qualified academics. They have a range of expertise and experience.
All our team members hold Doctoral or professional qualifications (e.g. Member of the British Computer Society or Eur. Ing.). Find out more about the current teaching staff. You should note members of the teaching team might change.
Postgraduate students assist in some teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the majority of lectures and seminars.
We will work with you to develop the technical and people skills you will need to work successfully in the software industry.
Tina EagerProgramme Director
How you’ll be assessed
You will be assessed largely by coursework and project work, though some modules will also have examinations or class tests. Coursework is mainly practically-oriented with appropriate theoretical elements to ensure a well-rounded education. Assessments are generally individual, with group work in some modules where this matches the approaches used in industry.
We use coursework assessment methods based on their suitability for specific modules. Formative feedback is provided formally in year one and during the year three individual study, and informally in workshops and seminars. Methods of assessment used include production of software artefacts, project plans and diaries, essays, reports, ‘investigation-based’ presentations, oral presentations, individual studies/projects, poster presentations, online assessment, logs, examinations and time constrained assignments.
Your future career
Software Engineering currently offers some of the highest paid engineering roles in the UK and employment opportunities include working for major IT organisations such as IBM, BULL, Compuserve and Siemens.
Working as a software engineer could lead you to work in:
- Creating, implementing and maintaining information systems for the public sector.
- Designing, implementing and maintaining intelligent smart building systems.
- Designing, implementing and maintaining electronic banking solutions enabling smooth national and international financial transactions.
- Designing, implementing and maintaining technology education software to enhance student learning.
As a graduate of software engineering, you could also be in demand in many non-IT sectors and involved in work with:
- The aerospace industry, researching, developing, testing and maintaining info-entertainment systems that keep passengers entertained throughout long haul flights.
- The manufacturing industry: researching, developing, testing and maintaining automated systems in manufacturing cells and interacting with manufacturing upstream and downstream work cells
- City transport: collating real-time bus and train locations and communicating information over distributed networks to different users’ interfaces, bus stop boards, train information displays, mobile apps, etc
- The Ministry of Defence: researching, designing, developing and testing systems that listen for and identify terror threat communications.
This list represents possible career opportunities and in some cases you may be required to undertake further studies or gain relevant work experience and/or professional accreditation in order to pursue particular roles. Further academic study can enhance your career prospects and lead you to senior and specialist positions both within engineering and also teaching or research-related roles.
Fees
The 2020/21 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK / EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 | £13,000 |
| Full-time - placement year | £1,850 | N/A |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
Please read the 2020/21 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding 2020/21 tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
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