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Software Engineering at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

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2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Overview Create software that could help save lives – and even the planet. Software powers society, from smartphone apps and laptops to healthcare systems and cyber security. This BSc (Hons) Software Engineering degree will help you master the software development process, from inception to maintenance, so you can play an integral role in the future of society. You'll develop systems across diverse infrastructure and build the confidence to discuss complex solutions to issues around software application, such as security considerations and how user lifestyles impact the evolution of software engineering. Course highlights

  • Specialise in topics such as data science, AI, robotics, educational computing, graphics, and ethical hacking
  • Apply your skills through our work with charities and organisations such as Code Club, where you'll help 9-13-year-olds with their Scratch, HTML/CSS, and Python projects
  • Benefit from our Student Union clubs and societies, such as the IT Society, AI and Robotics Club and Gaming Society
  • Get the opportunity to study abroad at one of our international partner universities in Europe, South Asia or North America, boosting your global experience and employability skills
Accreditation This course is accredited by the British Computer Society, partially meeting the educational requirement for CITP. Careers and opportunities 100% of our graduates from this course are in work further study 15 months after graduation, with 100% of those in work in highly skilled roles (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey conducted in 2019). Our graduates have worked for companies such as:
  • IBM
  • Trainline
  • Office for National Statistics
  • Khipu Networks – cyber security specialists
  • General Dynamics – global aerospace and defence company
Our graduates now work in roles including:
  • business developer
  • software engineer
  • cloud software engineer (DevOps)
  • IT support specialist
  • technical analyst
  • test analyst
  • android developer (self employed)
Other graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level or set up successful businesses with help and support from the University. Get experience while you study with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities and work experience. Towards the end of your degree and after graduation, you'll get 1-to-1 support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to find your perfect role. Placement year (optional) Taking an optional placement year will give you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role after graduation. We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career, and we'll continue to mentor you throughout your placement. Previous students have taken placement roles such as:
  • business analyst
  • software developer
  • junior android developer
  • marketing technology specialist
  • business applications developer
They've completed placements at organisations including:
  • BAE Systems
  • IBM
  • Radweb
  • Verint
  • ParkNow

Modules

Year 1 Core modules in this year include:

  • Architecture and Operating Systems (20 credits)
  • Core Computing Concepts (20 credits)
  • Database Systems Development (20 credits)
  • Networks (20 credits)
  • Programming (40 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year. Year 2 Core modules in this year include:
  • Data Structures and Algorithms (20 credits)
  • Database Principles (20 credits)
  • Software Engineering Theory and Practice (20 credits)
  • Usability Engineering (20 credits)
  • Web Programming (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year currently include:
  • 3D Computer Graphics and Animation (20 credits)
  • Computing Undergraduate Ambassador (20 credits)
  • Data Analytics and Visualisation (20 credits)
  • Discrete Mathematics and Functional Programming (20 credits)
  • Ethical Hacking (20 credits)
  • Exchange Study Abroad (40 credits)
  • Security and Cryptography (20 credits)
Year 3 Core modules in this year include:
  • Complex Problem Solving (20 credits)
  • Individual Project (Engineering) (40 credits)
  • Software Engineering Culture (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year currently include:
  • Advanced Database Concepts (20 credits)
  • Artificial Intelligence (20 credits)
  • Business Analytics (20 credits)
  • Digital Enterprise and Innovation (20 credits)
  • Graphics and Computer Vision (20 credits)
  • Internet of Things (20 credits)
  • Practical Data Analytics and Mining (20 credits)
  • Project Management (20 credits)
  • Robotics (20 credits)
  • Security and Cryptography (20 credits)
  • Usability Testing (20 credits)
Placement year After your second or third year, you can do an optional study abroad or work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year. We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Assessment method

  • multiple choice tests
  • written exams
  • mini projects
  • presentations
  • written reports
  • review articles
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • British Computer Society

How to apply

31Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
PTE Academic54An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
95%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £9250 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
International £19200 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Placement Year and Year abroad: UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 EU – £1,385 (including Transition Scholarship)| International (Non-EU) – £2,875. Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation. For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/ug-tuition-fees
Software Engineering at University of Portsmouth - UCAS