Start date:
Course information
Typical offer ABB
UK fee £9,535
UCAS codes G600, G601, G602
International fee £24,500
Institute code L34
Taught by Computing
97% of students in work or further study six months after graduating (The Uni Guide 2023)
- Course description
- Entry requirements
- Fees and funding
- Accreditation
- Careers and employability
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Testimonial
Course description
Course description
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.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Accreditation
Careers and employability
Sustainable Development Goals
Testimonial
Course structure
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
- Final Year
Year 1
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
- Computing Fundamentals
- Programming Fundamentals
- Mathematics Fundamentals
- Computer Architecture
- Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
- Requirements Engineering and Professional Practice
- Algorithms, Data Structures and Advanced Programming
- Business and Financial Computing
After the first semester you may be able to transfer to the BSc in Computer Science, subject to achieving the required grades.
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
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
Final Year
Why Leicester?
Job prospects are excellent: 97% of our informatics students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)
This degree is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).
In your second-year group project you will get the experience of working in a software development team and delivering a solution to a real client.
You will have 24-hour access to general-purpose labs, containing fully-networked Windows/Linux dual-boot PCs, and wireless access for laptops.
Teaching and learning
Teaching includes lectures and lab classes together with tutorials and small group student support hours. Lectures include innovative software demonstrations and videos, as well as more traditional slide presentations alongside worked examples.
State-of-the-art web-based materials, automated feedback and marking systems, on-line tests and electronic coursework submission all provide an excellent modern learning environment. Apart from project work, which is assessed by coursework only, most modules are assessed partly by coursework and partly by exam.
You will be assigned your own personal tutor who can provide advice about not just academic matters but also welfare concerns and careers development. You can see your personal tutor at any time by appointment or during office hours.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
Course Software Engineering | Qualification BSc | Duration 3 years, full-time | UCAS Code G600 | Availability How to apply |
Course Software Engineering with Year Abroad | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years, full-time | UCAS Code G601 | Availability How to apply |
Course Software Engineering with Year in Industry | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years, full-time | UCAS Code G602 | Availability How to apply |
Data about this course
Through my placement year at Nissan, I have been able to see how well Leicester prepares us for all aspects of work.