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Software Engineering BSc

University Of Leicester, United Kingdom
Overview Course Requirements Syllabus
Software Engineering BSc
Next enrollment cycle January 2024 See all cycles
First Year Fee KES 4,200,469
Course Accredited By BCS
3 Years On Campus Undergraduate Degree

Do you enjoy programming, or are you convinced you would? Would you like to know more about being an entrepreneur, and setting up a business underpinned by a great software system? 

  • Do you want to know how to talk to customers and clients, understand their needs, and be able to specify, design, build and test the software they need? How to work by yourself and also in teams? If you want to do all these things, and also learn about the principles of coding, underpinning mathematics, operating systems and networks, technology, innovation and professional skills, Leicester's Software Engineering programme is for you!
  • Programming is fun! You no doubt have a phone, laptop, tablet and so on; your car may have a navigation system, park itself, and have surround-space scanners; and you may be able to control your heating from a mobile. All of these cool devices work using program code. At the heart of coding such systems are state-of-the-art technologies including Android, C , Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, Prolog and R, and programme development environments such as Eclipse. At Leicester you will be taught to program in a selection of these languages, and have opportunities to learn others in project work. Programming will include mobile and web applications and technologies.
  • Software Engineering covers the methods for developing software, following rigorous engineering practices and meeting required levels of quality. You will learn how to plan and manage software architectures for practical large-scale development projects, while adopting an academic and rigorous approach which will support you throughout your career. We cover: how to understand customer requirements; specify, design and code a computer solution; and test and release your solution to your customer. You will learn software modelling techniques such as UML, business concepts such as project management, and techniques for developing innovations in technology.
  • Modules in computer architecture, operating systems and networking cover essential knowledge of modern computing systems (mobile computers to world-distributed computation). And, of course, we cover databases and information systems. In optional modules you can learn about a range of advanced topics including user interfaces, web technologies, mobile applications, security, along with distributed systems and applications.
  • Project work is highly desired by employers. In your second year group project you will learn the demands of working in a professional environment as you endeavour to deliver software that is often commissioned by a real client. In your final year, you undertake an individual problem-based project, exercising your creativity and innovation to design and implement a software solution to the problem. Previous projects have included 3-D games, mobile phone/tablet apps, security software, internet telephony, a diabetes app, programming robots, a sheet music editor, processor emulators and more.

What's the difference?

  • Intrigued by computational phenomena, like why and how programming languages actually work? Want to know more about the processes and techniques through which new software systems can be built? The BSc in Computer Science is the course for you. Or, if you want to start your career at a higher level, or study for a PhD, try the MComp which is the BSc with an extra year on the end.

Scholarship

  • Citizens of Change 100 Scholarship - Anyone holding an offer of a place at Leicester - 50% fee reduction in first year
  • Science and Engineering International Merit Scholarship - International-fee-paying students applying for an undergraduate degree in the University of Leicester College of Science and Engineering - £3,000 or £5,000 per year
  • Family Loyalty Discount - Any child, sibling or spouse of a Leicester student or graduate - 10% fee discount
  • Media, Communications and Sociology International Merit Scholarship - International-fee-paying students applying for an undergraduate degree in the University of Leicester School of Media, Communications and Sociology - £3,000 or £5,000 per year
  • Music scholarships - Talented musicians/singers at Grade 6 or above - £500
  • Sports scholarships - Students who compete at regional, national or international level - Facilities, coaching and financial support
  • ULSB International Merit Scholarship - Students applying for a degree in the University of Leicester School of Business, starting September 2022 or later - £3,000 per year

Enrollment Cycles

  • January 2024

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

  • A/AS-levels: ABB. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level. General Studies accepted. 
  • EPQ with A-levels: BBB EPQ at grade B.
  • GCSE: Grade C/4 in Maths.
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass relevant Diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction. 
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points. Minimum of 3 in HL Maths, or 4 in SL Maths, or 5 in Maths Studies required if grade C/4 not held at GCSE.
  • BTEC Nationals: Full Diploma with D*D*D*. BTEC must be in IT, Science or Engineering. 
  • Other national and international qualifications considered. 
  • If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for:
  • International Foundation Year – Engineering and Technology run by the Global Study Centre.
  • This course is for international students whose academic and/or English results fall just below those required for direct entry to year one of the degree.
  • Computer Science with Foundation Year BSc run by the School of Informatics. This course is for all students whose academic and/or English results fall just below those required for direct entry to year one of the degree.
  • Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

Selection Process

  • When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
  • Applicants are not normally interviewed, but an additional assessment test may be required. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School of Informatics.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

Year 1

  • Your first year provides a solid grounding in the theories and technologies that underpin software engineering. We will cover Python and Java programming and program development environments (such as Eclipse) along with basic discrete mathematics for applications. You will also learn about the architecture of modern computers and be introduced to business and financial computing.

Modules

  • Algorithms, Data Structures and Advanced Programming
  • Business and Financial Computing
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computing Fundamentals
  • Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
  • Mathematics Fundamentals
  • Programming Fundamentals
  • Requirements Engineering and Professional Practice
  • After the first semester you may be able to transfer to the BSc in Computer Science, subject to achieving the required grades.

Year 2

  • During your second year you will become an expert in all aspects of the software engineering process and apply your skills in a software engineering group project. In addition, you will learn about operating systems, networks, user interfaces, human-computer interactions, and software and technology in large organisations or data analytics.
  • You will be part of a team project, working together to develop software, typically commissioned by a real client. You will learn to manage a team. Each team works within a teaching framework, broad enough to allow you to work flexibly and innovatively, but moderated to ensure that teams are performing and progressing. You will learn to prepare written reports, and give a group presentation (these are skills that employers rate very highly).

Final Year

  • Your final year is an opportunity to specialise in the areas of software engineering that interest you. The third year project is a chance to follow your own interests in depth, with one-to-one supervision.

Core modules

  • Computers, Society and Professionalism
  • Entrepreneurial Project (double module)

Option modules

Choose two option modules from:

  • C Programming
  • Computational Intelligence and Software Engineering
  • Software Measurement and Quality Assurance
  • Mobile and Web Applications
  • Internet and Cloud Computing

Then choose two option modules from:

  • Analysis of Algorithms
  • Compression Methods for Multimedia
  • Big Data and Predictive Analytics
  • Foundations of Cybersecurity
  • Technology Management

Core modules

  • Databases and Domain Modelling
  • Operating Systems and Networks
  • Software Architecture and System Development (double module)
  • Software Engineering Project (double module)
  • User Interfaces and HCI

Option modules

Choose one option module from:

  • Data Analytics
  • Functional Programming
  • Foundations of Artificial Intelligence

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)

  • If you want to, you can spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement (eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2). Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in three years

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