Software Engineering (MSc)

The MSc in Software Engineering is an advanced research-led course in the study of software engineering, developing students' knowledge and skills in software reuse, agile development, software architecture and critical systems engineering.

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• CV. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• personal statement (optional)
• two original signed academic references
• academic transcripts and degree certificates. Please only provide certified copies with official English translations if applicable. Do not send original documents as they cannot be returned.

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

After your degree

Careers

Alumni of Computer Science MSc programmes have gone on to work in a variety of global, commercial, financial and research institutions, including: 

• Amadeus 
• Amazon 
• Atlas 
• Avaloq 
• Barclays Capital 
• BP 
• BT Openreach 
• Capricorn Ventis 
• FactSet 
• Hailo 
• Hewlett Packard 
• Hitachi Data Systems 
• Microsoft 
• OpenBet 
• Rockstar 
• Royal Bank of Scotland 
• Sky 
• Skyscanner 
• Symantec 
• TriSystems

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

The EngD programme in Computer Science is a 4-year Engineering Doctorate involving an industrial partner and incorporating a 30-week taught component and a 170-week individual research component. Students who have already completed an MSc may be able to proceed directly to the individual research component of the EngD. 

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews. The School of Computer Science is highly rated for its theoretical and practical research in areas such as:

•  AI
• symbolic computation
• networking
• distributed systems
• human computer interaction
• systems engineering

The School also offers research opportunities leading to a PhD in Computer Science.