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BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

  • Placement year available
How to apply Come to an Open Day

Introduction to our Software Engineering Degree

Find out more about our Computer and Information Science courses

Studying Software Engineering at ARU

Become an expert software engineer and take your coding and programming skills to the next level with a degree in Software Engineering, BSc (Hons).

Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023 logo

Study at an award-winning university

We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Why Software Engineering at ARU?

  • Study in the Silicon Fen, home to Apple, Microsoft, Samsung AI and many more – the perfect opportunity to connect with top employers.
  • Engage with real-world projects through our Live Brief assessments, set and driven by local companies such as The Fellows House.
  • You’ll develop a strong set of employability skills through studying with both academics and practitioners.
  • Accredited by BCS and IET and a Cisco Network Academy for over ten years.
  • You’ll develop skills in a range of programming languages including Java, C#, C++ and .net framework, supported by popular databases such as MySQL.

If you're fascinated by coding and are looking to take your interest further, our BCS and IET accredited Software Engineering degree in Cambridge is for you.

Learn techniques to identify, analyse and test IT solutions that industry needs and gain the edge on the competition with an optional placement year.

You’ll get the chance to develop essential skills in popular and relevant programming languages including Java, PHP C#, C++ and .net framework supported by MySQL and MS SQL Server databases. You’ll also build up all of the skills and knowledge you need to create and implement innovative IT systems.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry Requirements

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Fees and Paying for University

Facilities

Industry-standard facilities

As part of your Software Engineering studies at ARU, you’ll have:

  • the chance to develop essential skills in popular and relevant programming languages such as JavaScript, Java, PHP and .net framework supported by MySQL and MSSQL Server databases
  • labs and skills spaces to support your learning
  • access to award-winning library and IT facilities
  • face-to-face sessions as well as materials on our online learning management system
  • the opportunity to take a placement year to further develop your skills and understanding of software engineering.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Accreditation

BCS accreditation

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.

IET accreditation

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Careers - What can you do with a Software Engineering degree?

There’s a shortage of qualified IT graduates and with our Software Engineering degree, you’ll not only build upon your skills in coding and programming skills – you’ll understand what business are looking for and why.

As a graduate you could go on to work in main-line business IT applications development and support, general IT systems support roles or web development. With additional teacher training, teaching IT at both secondary and further education levels could also be an option available to you.

As part of your Software Engineering studies, the opportunity of a placement year could see you working in industry with a high-tech hub company in Cambridge, the region or beyond, making contacts and building up both your experience and knowledge in the kind of environment you might ultimately work in.

You will have 12-month access to Pluralsight professional online training courses for programmers, which is included in and guided through the Introduction to Programming module. This gives you enhanced opportunities to experience real-world professional training as part of your academic course.

Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MSc Computer Science, MSc Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, or MSc Cyber Security. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Matt Hayes

“Throw yourself into new experiences as soon as you get here. You won’t regret it!”

Matt Hayes

ARU Students’ Union

Find out all about student life

Apply now for BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

Life in Cambridge

Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.

Explore Cambridge

Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

Foundation year available

This course offers a foundation year – an extra year of study to help you prepare for university, and build your knowledge and skills.

More about foundation years

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