Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience)

MSci Hons

  • UCAS code G601
  • Entry year 2026 or 2025
  • A level requirements AAA
  • Duration Full time 4 years

We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

From video game designers to hardware engineers and website developers, software engineers are the architects of our digital world. They are essential for building and maintaining the infostructure that upholds the digital tools, platforms, and entertainment systems we use in our everyday lives. As a software engineering student, you will gain hands-on experience with a range of software development and design tools and programming languages used across different industries. Prepare to tackle the systems that shape our world and take the next step towards an exciting career.

What to expect

Our four-year MSci Software Engineering (Industrial Experience) degree begins by introducing you to fundamental principles and concepts in computer science and how they are applied. You will explore key topics such as software development, digital hardware, the fundamental underpinnings of computer science, and professionalism in practice. And, with this knowledge you will design and analyse systems and software, as well as work with end user feedback to debug and test computer programmes.

Going into Year 2, you will be able to delve deeper into what intrigues you most and specialise your studies towards a specific career path. You will build and analyse systems and software, as well as work with end user feedback to refine and adapt solutions in a range of programming languages. This includes exploring a range of optional topics including concurrent and parallel systems, extended reality, internet applications, and artificial intelligence. You will also undertake design studio modules that will familiarise you with team-based software development, allowing you to gain skills in data analysis, graphical report writing, and presentation skills.

In Year 3, you will continue to focus on collaborative design studio projects to enhance your software engineering skills. Alongside this, you will also learn a range of enriching topics through a selection of optional modules including languages & compilation, embedded systems, a range of AI and cyber security topics, digital health, and computer science education.

Master’s-level training

In Year 4, you will develop the skills and knowledge required to thrive in your future career, whether in industry or research. You will spend 10-15 weeks in industry, gaining valuable real-world experience. To complement this, you will study a range of modules, advancing your academic knowledge with a focus on independent and critical study.

Personal development

Throughout your degree, you will develop valuable transferrable skills such as analysis, problem-solving, and communication, which make you highly desirable to future employers. The practical skills you gain in software development, design, and testing prepare you for applications in the real world, and your insight into sustainable computing and AI will make you a unique candidate prepared to face the challenges of the future. You will also learn how to collaborate, research, and present your findings, developing solutions as part of a team and as a leader. With industrial experience added to your CV, you will be a standout graduate.

3 things our software engineering students want you to know:

  • We have a thriving community that engages in a range of extra-curricular societies and groups. They’re a great opportunity to meet new people and build your professional and technical skills. Current groups include LU Hack, the Lancaster University Ethical Hacking Group who practice safe (and legal!) hacking; FemTech, a group aimed at empowering non-male-identifying students in a male-dominated discipline; and the Computer Science Society, who facilitate talks and guest lectures to help you learn from and engage with experts within and beyond our staff
  • We tackle the important considerations of ethics, sustainability, and AI as we learn. It’s challenging but inspiring to think about the future of software engineering and its impact on our lives and society, and how we can drive that change
  • Our campus is a fantastic place to learn! We each have our favourite place to study: in the SkyLounge with amazing views, in our brand new high-end computer labs or in the Science and Technology Building's collaborative and creative labs

Careers

In the twenty-first century, software is pervasive in almost all aspects of modern life. From the apps on our phones, to specialist financial programmes, to the physics engines in videogames, software is used in almost every business in every industry. Therefore, a degree in Software Engineering at Lancaster University could open the door to an almost unlimited range of career opportunities. Our degrees will equip you with not only technical knowledge of a range of programming languages, but will also give you valuable experience in the processes behind software design and creation that will make you invaluable to employers, or equip you for further academic study. Our software engineering graduates also have excellent earning potential, with the median starting salary of graduates from our courses being £30,361 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).

Here are just some of the roles that our BSc and MSci Software Engineering students have progressed into upon graduating:

  • Web Applications Developer – Lancaster University
  • Graduate Software Engineer – BBC
  • Systems Developer – Cardinal Newman College
  • Application Support Team Lead – The Hut Group (THG)
  • Associate JavaScript Engineer – Tick42
  • Junior Software Engineer – Bank of America
  • Cloud Engineer – Rackspace
  • Technical Project Manager – ETX Capital
  • Software Engineer - OpenBet
  • Backend Developer – Dojo
  • Full Stack Developer – Duel
  • Software Support Engineer – Service Geeni

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. You may need to have qualifications in relevant subjects. In some cases we may also ask you to attend an interview or submit a portfolio. You must also meet our English language requirements.

Find more about these qualifications and others not shown here

Learn about how we will assess your application

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Contact Admissions

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, please complete our enquiry form and one of our team will get back to you.

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Enhancing our curriculum

We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future.

We will publish more detailed information about the structure of this degree course for 2026-entry in June 2025, ahead of our summer undergraduate open days. This will include overviews of the core modules you will take and examples of optional modules which may be available to you.

Fees and funding

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.

As a guide, our fees in 2025/26 were:

Home International
£9,535 £29,820

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

Details of our scholarships and bursaries for students starting in 2026 are not yet available.

You can use our scholarships for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2026/2027 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

Undergraduate open days 2025

Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.

Undergraduate Open Days
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    Take five minutes and let us show you what Lancaster has to offer, from our beautiful green campus to our colleges, teaching and sports facilities.

  • Accommodation guide

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  • The city and beyond

    Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.