Software Engineering - BSc (Hons) Degree

Foundation Year (Year 0):

This programme can incorporate a Foundation Year, which is intended for students wishing to enrol onto the three-year honours degree, who fall into one of the following categories:

1. Students who have not achieved the required A-Level points (or equivalent) score to enter the first year of the degree programme.
2. Mature students who have been out of the formal education system for some time.

Further information about the Foundation Year can be found by clicking here.

Degree

The Software Engineering degree programme is comprised of a number of coompulsory modules, with a range of options in the second and final year to develop your specific interests and expertise.

Students also have the option to complete a year-long placement in industry between Years 2 and 3.

Modules are 20 credits unless otherwise specified.

Year 1:

Students follow 120 credits of compulsory modules:

• Principles of Programming
  
• Architectures & Operating Systems
  
• Building for the Web
  
• Technology & Society
  
• Computational Thinking
  
• Developing Quality Software & Systems I
  

Year 2:

Students follow 100 credits of compulsory modules, with a choice of one 20 credit optional module:

• Object-Oriented System Design
  
• Systems Analysis & Design
  
• Mobile & Web Technologies
  
• Developing Quality Software & Systems II
  
• Research and Professional Skills
  

Optional modules* (one of the following):

• Multimedia & Interaction
  
• Data & Knowledge Management
  
• Networks & Communications
  
• Law & Digital Security
• Real-Time Computer Graphics
  

Year 3:

Students follow 100 credits of compulsory modules, with a choice of one 20 credit optional module.

Compulsory modules:

• Software Engineering Dissertation Project (40 credits) OR Development Project (BCS) (40 credits)
  
• Advanced Programming
  
• Professional & Ethical Issues in IT
  
• Parallel & Distributed Systems
  

Optional modules* (one of the following):

• Cyber Security and Cryptography
  
• Advanced Multimedia
  
• Computational Intelligence
  
• Analytics & Business Intelligence
  
• Creating Virtual Worlds Using the GPU
• Advanced Web Programming
  
• Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation
  
• Industrial Work Experience (Placement)
  

Note: Optional modules are subject to availability and demand; as such, not all optional modules may run in one Academic Year.




Pathways

Students who wish to follow a pathway are required to take a 20 credit pathway specialist module in Years 2 and 3. These modules are defined as follows:

Web Technology

Year 2: Mobile & Web Technologies

Year 3: Advanced Web Programming


Augmented and Virtual Reality

Year 2: Real-Time Computer Graphics

Year 3: Creating Virtual Worlds Using the GPU


Network Security

Year 2: Networks & Communications

Year 3: Cyber Security and Cryptography


Data Security

Year 2: Law & Digital Security

Year 3: Cyber Security and Cryptography


Students would also be required to complete their 40 credit dissertation project in a topic related to their pathway specialism.

A student-centred approach to learning and teaching is encouraged through the use of a broad range of teaching strategies, such as technical labs and individual and group projects. This is further enhanced by real world case studies and guest talks from industry experts, and supported by Teams and Moodle, our virtual learning environments.

Due to the nature of the programme, online and campus-based practical workshops are key to developing students’ technical understanding and abilities, underpinned by solid theoretical foundations. Students are expected to further develop their knowledge and understanding through directed self-study and independent learning time - in additional to the timetabled delivery - so as to develop a professional portfolio of project work and software artefacts as they move into graduate employment.

Students are supported academically and pastorally by the Programme Team, led by the Programme Director. Each student is also appointed a Personal Tutor from within the School, who provides a point of contact for general academic and pastoral issues. Students are also supported by Student Coaches; the Student Coach role is for current 2nd, 3rd year and Master’s students who provide peer support in Modules.

The assessment strategy for the programme varies to ensure the most appropriate method for each specific module and subject area. Modules are assessed through a combination of methods, such as formal examinations, practical programming assignments, written assignments, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, peer assessments and case studies.

The primary aim of this degree programme is to develop your knowledge and expertise in the design, development and delivery of software for modern environments and platforms. It will showcase the wider impact and importance of software and technology to the UK and global digital economy, developing a culture and appreciation of software carpentry and codemanship by creating useful and usable software artefacts. Furthermore, you will have highly transferable computational thinking, analytical and problem solving skills.

Software Engineering
Software Engineering graduates will find a wide variety of career opportunities across both the traditional IT and telecoms sector, as well as the majority of the other industrial sectors (both public and private), including the digital/creative industries, financial and professional services, advanced manufacturing, engineering and management consultancy. 

Software Engineering (Web Technology)
Web Technology encompasses a broad range of technologies and supports many software applications and services, both in the private and public sectors. The course will develop your skills and knowledge around planning, designing, and implementing web applications. Careers have matured, with opportunities across all sectors and disciplines with the universal use of Web Technologies across industry and everyday life.

Software Engineering (Augmented and Virtual Reality)
Augmented and Virtual Reality is transforming all industries, with companies and science recognising the opportunities that that this technology brings. With the growth in hardware adoption of VR headsets such Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest and HTC, the industry is in need of VR developers. Career opportunities have developed around creating solutions for medicine, heavy industry, sport, business and marketing in addition to gaming and tourism. The many applications of AR and VR have only just started to be explored and opportunities are continually emerging. 

Software Engineering (Network Security)
The secure running of networks and the infrastructure that supports them is imperative for any business or organisation. In order to develop and support these networks, an understanding of their principles, deployment and maintenance is required for both hardware and software within a secure environment. Careers in Network Security are well paid and there are numerous opportunities both nationally and internationally for experts in this area as reliance on IT grows. 

Software Engineering (Data Security)
Developing software within a secure environment is crucial to business, and having a thorough understanding of the frameworks around this is needed. Recognising the relationship between data security and the legal regulations applicable to computing requires an understanding of security involving hardware, management and the encryption of data. Data Security offers excellent prospects for employment internationally, with the sector continually evolving and reacting to new threats.

Real world experience can be obtained as part of your study by completing an optional sandwich year placement / industrial internship. Over the past few years, our students have been successful in obtaining placements in nationally competitive schemes with Microsoft, HP, General Electric and the Met Office.

This degree programme is in the process of being accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT – the body that champions the global IT profession with more than 70,000 members worldwide. This degree programme satisfies the educational requirements for professional membership and chartered status (on successful completion of industry experience at the appropriate level of seniority).

On successful completion of this degree programme, there are also further taught postgraduate study options across computing and information systems here at Cardiff Met, as well as research and PhD programmes.

Foundation:

Applicants will preferably have a minimum of five GCSE passes including English Language and Mathematics* at grade C or above (grade 4 or above for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England) and 32 UCAS Tariff Points from at least 1 A level (or equivalent).

Degree:

Five GCSE passes including English Language and Mathematics* at grade C or above (grade 4 or above for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England), plus 96 points from at least two A levels (or equivalent).  

Typical offers may include:

• 96 points from at least two A levels to include grades CC; Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as the third subject
• RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma/Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma MMM
• 96 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include 2 x H2, minimum H4 grade counted towards points offer
• 96 points from at least two Scottish Advanced Highers to include grades DD
• 96 points from the Access to Higher Education Diploma 

Applicants holding an Edexcel Higher Award (HNC/HND) with a significant Computing or Software Engineering content may be able to complete the course within one or two years. It is possible to top-up from an ordinary to an honours degree if you have a Cardiff Met awarded degree. Please contact Admissions if you wish to enter via these routes.

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Selection is usually on the basis of a completed UCAS application and where relevant, an interview.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at www.ucas.com. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer into year 2 & 3

If you are interested in transferring credit from another institution to study at Cardiff Met for a course which accepts entry for year 2 and/or 3, you can find further information on this and information on how to apply on the RPL page. Please contact Admissions for any queries that you have on RPL.

Mature students

A mature applicant is anyone over the age of 21 who didn't go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk. 

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Paul Jenkins: 
Email: PJenkins2@cardiffmet.ac.uk