BSc (Hons) Audio Software Engineering Bachelor's degree at SAE Institute Ltd
BSc (Hons) Audio Software Engineering at SAE Institute Ltd combines software engineering principles with audio technology, preparing you for roles that bridge creative and technical disciplines.
About this course
BSc (Hons) Audio Software Engineering is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at SAE Institute Ltd, based in SAE Glasgow,Leeds Campus,SAE Royal Leamington Spa,Liverpool Campus,SAE London. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For Others in technology graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £27,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Computer Science, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Trimester 1 2 modules
- Principles of Audio
Module details
Explore the core principles of sound as a physical and creative medium, building a strong foundation in audio production and engineering techniques. Gain hands-on experience using DAWs for recording and editing, while developing an understanding of how sound behaves across different environments and systems. Topics include: Sound theory, Decibels and signal flow, Acoustics and psychoacoustics, Electronics and audio systems, Microphones and loudspeakers, Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), Audio s
- C++ Programming
Module details
Develop a strong foundation in C++, one of the key programming languages used in audio software development. Explore programming concepts through practical audio projects, building computational thinking and problem-solving skills while learning how software is structured and developed. Topics include: Setting up development environments (IDEs), Variables and data types, Functions, classes and objects, Pointers and memory concepts, Structs, enums and casting, Console application development
Trimester 2 2 modules
- Designing Sound
Module details
Analyse and reconstruct sound using synthesis and sampling techniques, developing your understanding of sound design and creative audio workflows. Explore graphical programming environments and experiment with prototyping digital audio tools and instruments. Topics include: Synthesis and sampling, Sound design techniques, Critical listening, Graphical programming (Max/MSP, Pure Data), Audio prototyping
- Audio Signal Processing
Module details
Explore the theory and practical application of digital signal processing (DSP) for audio. Develop your own audio effects and software plugins, gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and frameworks. Topics include: Developing audio effects, Creating processing plugins, Digital signal processing fundamentals, JUCE framework, Testing, evaluation and iteration of audio processing tools
Trimester 3 1 modules
- Creative Studio 1: Overview
Module details
Work on your first collaborative interdisciplinary project, applying your skills in audio software development within a team environment. Explore audio implementation, programming and sound design while working with students from other creative disciplines. Topics may include: Sound design and editing, Foley recording, Audio tool development, Immersive audio, Game audio implementation and programming
Trimester 4 1 modules
- Creative Studio 2: Overview
Module details
Expand your collaborative work, developing a larger-scale software or audio application project. Combine advanced programming and audio knowledge with business and entrepreneurial thinking to create a professional creative product. Topics may include: Advanced audio tools and techniques, Version control and collaboration, Software deployment, Performance analysis, Business planning, Marketing and audience analysis
Trimester 5 2 modules
- Advanced Specialised Project
Module details
Undertake a complex self-directed project in your chosen area of specialism, developing advanced technical and creative skills. May work on live briefs or industry-led projects, building your portfolio and establishing professional connections. Topics may include: Audio software development, Game audio programming, Immersive audio systems, AI, Audio networking, Embedded systems, Industry workflows
- Research and Development
Module details
Prepare for your final Major Project by developing your research, planning and professional skills. Create a project proposal and build a deeper understanding of your chosen specialism, supporting progression into industry or postgraduate study.
Trimester 6 1 modules
- Major Project
Module details
Complete a Major Project in your chosen area of audio software engineering, showcasing your creative, technical and professional abilities. This self-directed project will form a key part of your portfolio, helping you take the next step into the industry.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study the design, development and architecture of audio software systems across two years of full-time study. The course typically begins with programming fundamentals, imperative and object-oriented programming in languages such as Python and Java, alongside computer systems and the discrete mathematics that underpins algorithms. In the second year, you'll usually progress to algorithms and data structures, databases and software engineering practice, and artificial intelligence and machine learning principles. Throughout, you can specialise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, systems and networks, or human-computer interaction. You'll normally conclude with a substantial individual project where you design, build and evaluate software in a chosen specialism.
Who it's for
This course suits graduates seeking careers in audio software development, games audio, music technology, or broader software engineering roles. You'll need strong problem-solving skills and interest in both programming and sound design. Additional bursaries and scholarships may be available, check the university's funding pages for details.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) is delivered by SAE Institute Ltd, a UK degree-awarding body offering nationally recognised qualifications. The course runs for 2 years full-time, taught in English across five locations: Glasgow, Leeds, Royal Leamington Spa, Liverpool and London.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
The cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at SAE Institute Ltd →Check the finance route that applies to you
Support depends on ordinary residence, assessed fee status, course and provider nation. The provider nation is unresolved here, so no national cap or loan amount is being guessed.
Find your official student-finance route →Paying for it
- Tuition fee loan: applied for through the student-finance body for the UK nation you live in.
- Living-cost support: means-tested on household income, from your nation's student-finance body.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold set by your nation's student-finance system.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Each UK nation runs its own student-finance system; check gov.uk for the rates that apply to you.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Computer Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £27,000 | £24,000 – £30,000 | 345 |
| 3 years after | £21,000 | £15,500 – £27,500 | 165 |
| 5 years after | £27,500 | £20,000 – £36,000 | 160 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 345. Cohort 2021-22.
- 1Graduate / Junior DeveloperFirst engineering role · 0–2 yrs
- 2Software EngineerShipping features end-to-end · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / Lead EngineerOwning systems and mentoring · 5–9 yrs
- 4Principal / Engineering ManagerArchitecture or leading teams · 9+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Computer Science nationally
National figures for Computer Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Computer Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,820 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Computer Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Boilerplate and scaffolding code
- First-pass tests and docs
- Routine debugging and refactors
- Standard data wrangling
More human than ever
- System design and architecture trade-offs
- Reviewing and owning correctness & security
- Translating fuzzy problems into software
- Leading delivery and mentoring
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Computer Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Tech companies
- Banks & fintech
- Consultancies
- Government (GDS) & startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Computer Science graduates.
Software Developer Placement Programme No experience neededIT Online LearningSoftware Developer - .NET & Azure for Green Energy ProjectsOfgemSoftware Developer Backend (SFIA5)ZaiziSoftware Developer (Mobile Apps) in Guildford - ECM Selection (Holdings) LimitedJava Script WorksSoftware Developer (Contract) – Higher Education Projects (UK)Burman RecruitmentSoftware Developer – Distributed Scheduling & Workload OrchestrationCGG Services (UK) LimitedIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Home tuition is regulated and the cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Eligible students can apply for a tuition fee loan and living-cost support from the student-finance body for the UK nation they live in. Repayment thresholds differ by nation.
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £27,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Computing across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Leeds Campus
4,633 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Around SAE Royal Leamington Spa
1,295 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Computer Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to SAE Institute Ltd from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by SAE Institute Ltd; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check SAE Institute Ltd’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with SAE Institute Ltd and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SAE Institute Ltd
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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