Name: BSc (Hons) Software Engineering
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BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

UCAS CODE: I300 (Full-time) or LL30 (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

If you are looking to make an impression in the fast-paced IT world, studying a degree that provides you with a strong foundation in computing and an in-depth specialised knowledge in software engineering, this is a great place to start.

Software is an essential part in controlling computers, it can be a creative way to develop solutions to communication, financial, business, entertainment and healthcare problems. Working in the computing industry developing software is an exciting career that challenges you to use both analytical and creative skills and be at the forefront of the latest technological advances.

No. 1 in the UK for Student Satisfaction*

*Positivity ranking amongst registered students (NSS 2024)

No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*

*Based on responses from registered students (NSS 2024)

Just go for it and be the best that you can be at Bucks. The members of staff are fantastic and support you, as well as state-of-the-art facilities that are open to all. Use everything on offer and nothing will stand in the way of success.

Neel Doshi

Why study Software Engineering at BNU?

Hands on learning

At BNU, you'll dive into practical sessions that mirror real-world software development practices. This isn't just about writing code; you'll tackle projects that simulate challenges you’d face in the industry, providing a real taste of the tech world. By the time you graduate, you'll have a a broad range of experiences that can showcase your abilities to future employers.

Industry relevant education

We focus on equipping you with skills that are in high demand, such as software design, development, and delivery. You'll learn to work with modern programming languages, frameworks, and tools, preparing you to hit the ground running in any tech environment. Whether it's designing apps, building web platforms, or managing data systems, you'll gain expertise that employers value. You'll also take part in career workshops, mock interviews, and CV-building sessions to prepare for your job hunt. With this well-rounded preparation, you’ll graduate ready to make an immediate impact in the workplace.

Expert faculty

Learn from lecturers who bring a wealth of industry experience and academic expertise. They’re passionate about their field and dedicated to helping you succeed, often drawing on their professional backgrounds to provide real-world context. Their mentorship will guide you through your studies and inspire confidence in your abilities.

Modern facilities

You’ll have access to large labs equipped with dual-screen, dual boot (Windows and Linux) systems, the latest industry-standard software, virtual server technology and VR headsets. From high-performance computers to collaborative workspaces, our facilities are designed to support your learning and creativity. You’ll have everything you need to turn your ideas into reality.

Industry Connections

BNU maintains close ties with industry professionals, providing opportunities for networking, internships, and real-world projects. Guest lectures and career events offer insights into the latest industry trends and connect you directly with potential employers. These connections open doors to internships and placements, giving you a head start in the competitive tech job market.

This was my best experience of education in my whole academic career. The classes were very interactive and helpful. The learning experience was excellent.

I would like to commend the efforts of the staff and lecturers who give more than 100 % in helping a student. Thanks to the course I learned and explored the horizons of technology and beyond. Without the experience I would not have had the self-confidence and knowledge that has led me to proceed in my professional career.

Nick Rose

What facilities can I use?

BNU has invested in our facilities to ensure that you can learn on industry standard systems and software, meaning that you can make an easy transition from education into employment. Quite simply we are committed to making sure we provide you with the best learning experience possible.

We make sure we keep the University’s computing facilities well maintained and equipped. We have a range of large labs, most filled with dual-screen, dual boot (Windows and Linux) systems. Latest industry standard software is also included on devices to allow you to develop your skills to what is needed in the workplace.

Labs have been custom built to provide the best spaces to nurture the specific skills needed for game and internet development. These allow you to build your skills within key areas of future employment.

Hands-on experience is what we are all about. We have numerous devices that will provide the basis for various supervised projects you will carry out across the programme. These include but are not limited to Virtual Reality headsets, 3D printers, Raspberry Pi microcomputers, EEG headsets.

Furthermore, we provide online facilities to enhance your independent learning, via our Virtual Learning Environment. This will provide you with access to additional material and collaborative learning tools 24/7. And our virtual server technology will allow you to use our operating systems remotely.

What will I study?

During this course you will acquire skills in programming, building secure web and mobile applications and work on team-based software projects; whilst exploiting an agile development approach. You’ll learn how to develop highly dependable and reliable systems, within an object-oriented design approach, using a number of industry standard approaches, such as UML. In addition, you will gain an understanding of the process involved in managing the development of large-scale software projects. Furthermore, specialist modules allow you to explore the areas of artificial intelligence, media programming, real-time systems, cloud computing and security.

Not only will you be learning vital information, you will be learning from innovative, forward-thinking and highly motivated expert lecturers. Our lecturers have close industrial links and all work together to ensure that you have the best possible enriched and stimulating learning environment. To further enhance your education, we invite in guest lectures to share their experience and expertise and host day-long interactive events run by leaders in their field giving you the chance to put your knowledge into action.

Throughout your time with us, you will study a variety of subjects including:

Application Programming
Digital Technologies and Professional Practice
Networking
User Experience (UX)
Database Design
Mobile Apps
Real-time Systems (Team Project)
Advanced Programming
Data Structures and Algorithms

As you begin to think about life after university and look for employment after graduation we are here to help. We encourage our students to make the most of opportunities that are available during their course, such as guest lectures and internships as these can provide invaluable industry experience and contacts. We also have a brilliant and dedicated Careers and Employment team at BNU who are always on hand to support with application, interview and presentation skills.

How will I be taught and assessed?

At Buckinghamshire New University we like to foster an interactive and student-focused teaching style where we have a combination of formal lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions, seminars and guest speakers to enhance the learning experience.

We like to design our course to reflect the workplace so you will have the opportunity to carry out independent study, supported through distance learning technologies such as Blackboard, our Virtual Learning Environment. We will also provide reading lists and suggested resources to enhance independent study.

Assessment will be through a variety of forms, including projects, written exams, written assignments, workshops, and presentations.

You are more than a number at BNU, and we are here to support you through your education journey. We have in place regular contact hours with our tutors and provide you with informal feedback throughout the programme of study.

Over the years of your course you will be assessed and graded in a multitude of ways to allow you to develop and expand on your abilities and skills. Assessments for the various modules will mostly take the form of practical coursework, lab test and written exams. However, the main focus being on testing the practical application of the various concepts and techniques being conveyed.

BSc (Hons) Software Engineering Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis. For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BSc (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Introduction to Programming

This module will teach you foundational programming skills. You’ll learn about data types, variables, control structures, and algorithms. You’ll solve problems, create documented software, and by the end, design and test your own programs, effectively communicating your work.

Computing Essentials

This module covers computing fundamentals, you’ll explore data structures, algorithms, computational thinking, databases, and the societal impacts of computing. You’ll learn to store, access, and search data efficiently, solve problems mathematically, design relational databases with SQL, and consider computing’s ethical implications.

Core Mathematics

Dive into computer science and discrete mathematics with this module. You’ll tackle mathematical and network algorithms, critical path analysis, linear programming, and game theory. It’s a journey through finite and infinite concepts, preparing you for advanced mathematics and practical computing applications.

Design Principles

In this module, you’ll delve into human-computer interaction and user-centric design, focusing on human factors and user needs to create immersive products. You’ll also explore computer technologies for creating and distributing digital resources, ensuring they meet diverse media platform requirements.

Professional Skills Review

In this module, you’ll reflect on and develop professional skills through project production. You’ll enhance your reflective writing, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking, gaining insight into your strengths and areas for growth.

Final Project

In this module, you’ll collaborate with other students on a project within your subject’s themes, honing vital professional skills like leadership, interpersonal relations, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving, essential for teamwork in real-world scenarios.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Programming Concepts

20

Credits: 20

Discover the foundational principles for programming languages. You'll study variables, data types, assignment, conditionals, functions, data structures and the object-oriented paradigm. You'll work with other students on a project to simulate the working environment and will develop your problem-solving and computational thinking skills.

Computer Architecture

20

Credits: 20

You'll look at principles of computer organisation, the layered nature of systems structures & the interfaces between them. You'll also study: components of a computer, the architecture, how they're organised, hardware, data representation, computer logic circuits, manipulation of data at the bit level & the theory of computation and its paradigms.

Networking

20

Credits: 20

You'll study the architecture, structure, functions and models of the Internet and computer networks. You'll use models to examine protocols and services at the application, network, data link & physical layers and will analyse the principles & structure of IP addressing and the fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, network media & network operations.

Web Development

20

Credits: 20

You'll study key concepts of the Internet and WWW applications, like HTML, stylesheets and JavaScript, then more advanced Web scripting techniques such as: the Document Object Model; DHTML event-driven scripting for dynamic user experience; contemporary frameworks and standards for cross-platform operability, sophisticated layouts, SVGs (Scalable V...

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 *
Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 per year *

International

Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 *
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 per year *

Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.

Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  

Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  

Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  

We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.

The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we will support you on the route to your chosen career, helping you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders.

We are very proud of our reputation for delivering industry standard courses and the success our graduates achieve after leaving the University. This course will provide a first-rate springboard, for your career opportunities to evolve over time. As the role of software engineers is becoming increasingly prolific, this hands-on, highly vocational course provides you with the skills to pursue a career in a variety of sectors, including, commercial, environmental, government, health, education and defence.

Graduates of the degree programme can continue their studies at postgraduate level, or further enhance their employability by obtaining Microsoft Certification™.

There is an increasing demand for qualified specialists in software engineering, meaning that you can expect to graduate with a variety of rewarding career options ahead of you. With the diverse nature of software engineering you can seek out a range of job roles, software development, games development, web design, data analyst, test engineer, systems administrator, information systems management and business analysis.