Year 1

The 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 processors and the foundations and history of computer science.

Modules

• Computing Fundamentals
• Programming Fundamentals
• Mathematics Fundamentals
• Computer Architecture
• Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
• Requirements Engineering and Professional Practice
• Algorithms, Data Structures and Advanced Programming
• Foundations of Computation

After the first semester you may be able to transfer to the BSc in Software Engineering subject to achieving the required grades.

This is the same as the first year of the BSc.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

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 functional programming 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).

Core modules

• Software Architecture and System Development I
• Project Management
• Operating Systems and Networks
• Databases and Domain Modelling

Option modules

Choose one option module from:

• Software Architecture and System Development - II
• Software Engineering Group Project
• User Interfaces Design and Evaluation
• Data Analytics
• Entertainment Technology and Design
• Foundations of Artificial Intelligence

This is the same as Year 2 of the BSc.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

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. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in four years.

Year Abroad

We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.

Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.

Please note

• A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
• You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
• Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
• Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.

Year in Industry

An industrial placement is normally a paid company position, more than offsetting the additional cost of the extra year. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a working environment. You must apply for your placement yourself, but we will help you with the process.

During your placement you will be visited by a member of staff; when you return to the University you may give a presentation of your work experience. You will be provided with a log book to document your placement and will write a final report detailing your work, which will be assessed as part of your degree.

We provide excellent careers support, and our Industrial Advisory Board assists us in keeping our degrees fit for industrial needs. A year in industry is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the type of profession that you can choose after you graduate, and can also point you towards postgraduate studies that may help you strengthen the profile that you have identified for your career.

Your placement effectively begins in year two when you will be briefed in writing a CV, interview techniques and the procedures that you need to follow to obtain a placement. In addition, a list of potential industrial partners who have taken students in past years will normally be provided.

A year in industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 3/4

Year 3/4 is an opportunity to specialise in the areas of computing that interest you. The project is a chance to follow your own interests in depth, with one-to-one supervision.

Core modules

• Computer Science Project (double module)
• Computers, Society and Professionalism

Option modules

Choose two option modules from:

• Computational Intelligence and Software Engineering
• Software Measurement and Quality Assurance
• Mobile and Web Applications
• C++ Programming

Then choose two option modules from:

• Analysis and Design of Algorithms
• Big Data and Predictive Analytics
• Foundations of Cybersecurity
• Technology Management
• Emerging Technologies
• Functional Programming
• AI for Space

This is the same as the final year of the BSc.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year

The core focus of your final year is specialisation. Core modules will help you to develop your research skills while optional modules open up the most advanced aspects of computing.

Core module

• Computer Science Project (double module)
• Personal and Group Skills (taken in either semester)

Option modules

Choose three option modules (or two if Personal and Group Skills taken in semester 1)
from:

• Technology and Innovation Management
• Advanced C++ Programming
• Agile Cloud Automation
• Internet and Cloud Computing
• Interaction Design (ID) and User Experience (UX)
• Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing

Then choose three option modules (or two if Personal and Group Skills taken in semester 2)
from:

• Algorithms for Bioinformatics
• Generative Development
• Service-Orientated Architectures
• Service Design

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.