Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience)

MSci Hons

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

Overview

Software Engineers are programming architects, applying a range of skills to develop complex and critical systems. This programme provides you with a unique blend of academic content and exciting industrial experience, working with leading organisations in contemporary technology-based environments.

Our programme provides you with a comprehensive grounding in computer science, while equipping you with the specialist skills required for a profession in software engineering and design. You will gain the technical knowledge and experience to manage and develop high-quality, well-designed software systems, along with an understanding of business and system requirements. You will also have the opportunity to gain high-level professional experience, working with one of our exciting partners in industry.

Based around our dedicated Software Engineering Design Studio, your first year will provide you with the fundamentals of computer science, software development, and digital and information systems, allowing you to gain the essential knowledge needed for analysis and design. You will also begin to develop complex computer programming skills, learning to write, analyse, debug, test, and document computer programmes.

Your second and third years offer advanced modules, including Distributed Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, and Languages and Compilation. In addition to developing your foundational understanding, programming, and software design skills, you will explore social, ethical and professional issues related to the discipline and complete a group project. These will allow you to develop a working knowledge and the skills to overcome the challenges of designing, developing and evaluating real-world software systems.

You will also undertake a variety of software design-based modules, ensuring you gain a broad and robust level of skills and experience. These projects will develop your data analysis, graphical, report writing and presentation skills.

Your third year will also give you the opportunity to undertake an individual project. In this project you will work closely with one of our academics, allowing you to exercise and further develop the skills acquired throughout your degree.

In your fourth year, you will be presented with a range of integrated industry placement activities, as well as a dedicated ten-week industry project. This will allow you to apply the skills you have learnt while gaining valuable real-world experience.

Assessment

We offer an excellent range of learning environments, which include traditional lectures, laboratories and workshops. We are also committed to providing timely feedback for all submitted work and projects.

Assessment varies across modules, allowing students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways, including laboratory reports, essays, exercises, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions, oral presentations, and formal examination.

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

Grade Requirements

A Level AAA

Desirable Subjects We are committed to encouraging the adoption of the A level Computing curriculum and recognising desirable subjects. Students applying with an A level or IB Higher Level in Computing, Computer Science or Mathematics will be considered for a lower offer.

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, English Language grade C or 4

IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

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

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

core modules accordion

Core

core modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Core

core modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £29,820

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

Scheme Based on Amount
Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} Amount {{item.amount}}

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 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 2024

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
two students sitting and reading on some outdoor steps
  • Virtual tour

    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

    Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • 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.