Software Engineering (MEng) at University of Southampton

About

This course is full and closed to new applications for 2024 entry. Search similar degrees in related courses or by browsing our course finder.

Explore the life cycle of software engineering projects and study exciting, specialist topics. On this 4-year master's, you'll learn how to analyse a company’s software needs, then design, test and build a system that meets them. You’ll also develop the problem-solving, planning and teamwork skills that are essential for successful software engineers.

This MEng Software Engineering degree combines hands-on software development with a core knowledge of software engineering. You'll study cutting-edge areas like:

programming
software modelling
distributed systems and networks
automated code development
e-business strategy
web development

You don’t need any previous experience in computer science to join the course. For the first programming module you can choose your own level, and if you are a beginner, we can help you get up to speed.

Our main computer lab has over 100 high-spec computer workstations and acts as the department’s social hub. You'll have access to our dedicated facilities, including:

software projects laboratory
David Barron computing laboratory
cyber security laboratory
centre for hybrid biodevices

Our academics are recognised internationally as leaders in their fields of expertise.

As part of this course, you can choose to spend a single semester studying abroad.

This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

We are also a member of The Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial studies placement year.

Apply using:

Course name: Software Engineering with Industrial Studies
UCAS code: II30

You'll spend this extra year at one of our partner companies, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A).

A-levels additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A), plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall, with 19 points required at Higher Level including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation)

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics.

D*D in the BTEC National Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics or DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus grade A* in A-level mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA from 2 A-levels including mathematics.

D*D in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics or DD in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A* in A-level mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2, to include mathematics and applied mathematics

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 including mathematics and applied mathematics

Irish certificate additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D2, D3, D3 in three Principal subjects including mathematics

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D2 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A* or grade D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A. Applicants who have not studied the required Principal subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) or A*A from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A), and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

A Distinction* overall, with A* in Core and Distinction in the Occupational Specialism, and grade A in A-level Mathematics.

The following T levels are accepted:

Digital Business Services
Digital Support Services
Science
Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

The following Occupational Specialisms are required:

For the T level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing: either "Electrical and electronic engineering” or "Control and instrumentation engineering".
For the T level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing: either "Maintenance engineering technologies: Electrical and Electronic" or "Maintenance engineering technologies: Mechatronic" or "Maintenance engineering technologies: Control and Instrumentation" or "Light and Electric Vehicles".

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

Software engineers are in demand in a wide range of sectors, especially those that rely on IT. This gives you plenty of career opportunities, so you could work in:

technology companies
consultancies
healthcare
government intelligence
financial services

You’ll graduate with the technical and transferable skills needed for roles such as:

software engineer
software developer
app designer
web developer
IT solutions analyst

You could work for a technology firm, become an IT consultant, or take forward IT developments within companies and organisations across the private and public sector.

You could also continue your studies at PhD level.

Most of our graduates go straight into jobs in high-tech companies. Electronics and Computer Science students have secured roles at companies including:

Apple
BAE Systems
BBC
Google
Huawei
IBM
Microsoft
Samsung
Sony

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

We offer this degree with a year in industry, which is a great way to gain substantial industry experience, boost your professional skills and grow your networks. For international students, it is the only way to spend a year working in the UK and build contacts that could lead to employment here when you graduate.

We can help you find placements and employment with local, national and international employers.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 31,000

Application Fee

GBP

Software Engineering (MEng)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines