Software Engineering BEng/BEng (Hons)



Software engineering opens up a world of career opportunities, across a wide range of industries and business sectors.

Overview

Throughout the course you’ll learn both mainstream and emerging software development, implementation and evolution - from design and analysis to human interaction principles and system evaluation. Your study will be supported by input and guidance from industry experienced teaching staff.

Our Software Engineering degree has a high employability focus to prepare you for industry. Throughout the course you will learn a mixture of vocational skills such as object-oriented programming and project management, alongside fundamental theory in areas such as artificial intelligence, algorithms and mathematics. This is complemented by an optional year-long placement in industry, alongside other opportunities to build software for industrial clients.

On completion of the course you will be able to work effectively with today’s technologies, and to readily learn new technologies that emerge throughout your career.

Students holding a computing chip.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

G600

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Student stories

Read stories from students of Edinburgh Napier's Computing study area

Course details

At the beginning of the course you will gain practical experience of software development using object-oriented programming, as well as an understanding of how software systems are used in businesses, and methods to build effective user interfaces. You are then taught key methods of software engineering used in industry, while expanding your knowledge of areas such as databases and operating systems.

The later years of the course focus on the key skills required by industry, such as project management, secure software development, and techniques to facilitate software evolution.  You will also gain experience of emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, and software engineering for safety critical systems. At this stage you will be able to design and develop large-scale software systems, and be able to choose appropriate methodologies to do so.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

     Lectures and tutorials.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     Mixture of practical assessments, development reports, academic essays and exams.
  • briefcase

    Work placement

    A year long Work Based Learning module is available for this programme which can be undertaken in 3rd year which consists of 60 credits.

    In 2nd year, students attend timetabled Placement Preparation sessions which provides comprehensive information about sourcing a placement, tips for enhancing CVs, cover letters and interview preparation. A Student Futures Placement Coordinator is available to support students with their placement applications and approving placements as part of the course. Whilst on placement, students undertake work-related assessments alongside gaining valuable work experience. If this option is chosen, the course duration will be extended by one trimester.

    If students are not undertaking the yearlong placement, then there is a Group Project or the Professional Internship Module in Year 3 (one trimester) which gives students the opportunity to complete a project for an external client.

    Find out more about Computing Placements here.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

     International study is available, and is intended to develop overall graduate attributes and global citizenship. The School has several agreements with overseas partner institutions, both in the EU and further afield, providing varied and exciting opportunities tailored around your individual study and cultural interests. Currently, links are established with universities in the USA, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Singapore, and Germany, where programmes are delivered in English, whilst additional links are planned with other European countries and Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Foundations of Software Design & Development
  • Computer Systems
  • Information Systems in Organisations
  • Programming Fundamentals
  • Human Computer Interaction
  • Mathematics for Software Engineering

Year 2

  • Database Systems
  • Object-Oriented Software Development
  • Operating Systems
  • Algorithms & Data Structures
  • Mobile Applications Development
  • Software Engineering Methods

Year 3

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data Analytics
  • Software Engineering
  • Group Project
  • Computing in Contemporary Society
  • Games Engineering
  • Professional Internship
  • Advanced Database Systems
  • Sensing Systems for Mobile Applications

Year 4

  • Agile Project Management
  • Honours Project
  • Software Architecture
  • Concurrent & Parallel Systems
  • Multi-Agent Systems
  • Secure Software Development
  • Formal Approaches to Software Engineering

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Software Engineering?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB. National 5 grade C in Maths OR Applications of Maths.

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBCC. National 5 grade C in Maths OR Applications of Maths.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • BCC
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level and grade O4 in Ordinary Level Maths.

HNC

  • HNC with C in the graded unit in one of the following; Computing, Computer Games Development, Software Development or Data Analytics.
  • Unrelated HNC/HNDs may be considered and in addition have National 5 C in Maths OR Applications of Maths.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades D*D* (Distinction*, Distinction*) in related subject
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

  • Minimum grades DM (Distinction, Merit) and A Level grade C
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4
  • Grade 4 in SL Maths.

European Baccalaureate

  • Pass at 70% or above with grade 7 in three subjects
  • Grade 6 in Maths and English.

T Levels

  • Merit
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths.

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • HNC - Pass in Computing, Computer Games Development, Software Development or Data Analytics with B in the graded unit

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC

  • BB and SQA Higher BB

A Level

  • BBB

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DDD (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • HND Computing: Software Development - Pass with Grade B at SCQF Level 8 in the graded unit
 
 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,535
Overseas and EU £19,340 £20,310

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Student sitting with his laptop, looking out the window behind him

What can you do with a BEng/BEng (Hons) Software Engineering degree?

In our dynamic program, you'll learn the art and science of software development, mastering the skills needed to design, build, and maintain complex software systems that power our digital world. From coding scalable applications to testing and deployment, you'll gain a deep understanding of the entire software development lifecycle. This course will help you to build your career in the following paths:

  • Software Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Software Support Analysts
  • Software Developer
  • Software Tester

By enrolling in our course, you'll not only study the latest methodologies and technologies in software engineering but also gain hands-on experience through collaborative projects and internships. As you explore topics such as agile development, DevOps, and software architecture, you'll acquire the expertise sought after by top tech companies and startups.

Upon graduation, you'll emerge as a highly skilled software engineer, ready to tackle the challenges of building innovative software solutions that meet the needs of users and businesses alike. Whether you dream of developing cutting-edge applications, optimizing system performance, or leading software development teams, our program will prepare you for a successful career in software engineering.

What does a Software Developer do?

As a software developer, you will be at the forefront of innovation, designing and developing software applications that power various aspects of our lives. Whether it's crafting intuitive user interfaces, optimizing algorithms for efficiency, or building scalable backend systems, your contributions will have a profound impact on how people interact with technology.

You will be collaborating with diverse teams of fellow developers, designers, and stakeholders to bring ideas from concept to reality. Your days will be filled with coding, testing, and refining software solutions to address real-world challenges across industries. From mobile apps that streamline daily tasks to enterprise software that drives business operations, your work will enhance efficiency, improve user experiences, and propel organizations toward success.

As a Software Developer, you will constantly push the boundaries of what's possible, staying abreast of the latest technologies and methodologies to stay ahead in this dynamic field. Your passion for innovation and problem-solving will drive you to create software that not only meets but exceeds expectations, leaving a lasting impact on the digital world.

Student concentrating in front of dual computer monitors