BSc (Hons) Software Engineering Bachelor's degree at Southampton Solent University
BSc (Hons) Software Engineering at SSU explores practical and theoretical aspects of software development, with specialisations such as Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Web & Mobile, Cloud & DevOps, Games, and HCI.
About this course
BSc (Hons) Software Engineering is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at SSU, based in East Park Terrace. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Computing graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, 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.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 100% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- Problem Solving through ProgrammingCore
Module details
This module will introduce you to software implementation through the process of understanding how to solve problems using programming.
- Introduction to Networks and SecurityCore
Module details
In this module you'll explore networks by using a network simulator to learn what devices and connections are used. These will then be applied to various principles of networking, protocols and associated technologies.
- Data Structures, Algorithms and MathematicsCore
Module details
Through this module you will gain hands on experience applying a range of algorithms and data structures to problems. As well as creating your own algorithms, you will also be made aware of existing algorithms that are at your disposal and understand how they work.
- Introduction to DatabasesCore
Module details
In this module you are introduced to the skills and concepts required to develop and use relational databases. You will learn how to write programs interacting with databases and how to create them.
- Software Testing and Reliability EngineeringCore
Module details
You will learn about the testing process and the different types of tests that are commonly used, these will include component/module testing, usability testing and user acceptance testing.
- Web TechnologiesCore
Module details
On this module you'll be introduced to common client server-side scripting technologies used in the development of web applications, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP.
Year two 6 modules
- Introduction to Artificial IntelligenceCore
Module details
This module helps you gain an understanding of the key developments in this area as well as an appreciation of the changing technological landscape and its impact on our society.
- Web Application DevelopmentCore
Module details
This module looks at the technologies necessary to develop the highly-interactive and mobile-compatible web applications in use today.
- Advanced Database SystemsCore
Module details
Through this module you will research novel database management systems such as NoSQL databases and continue more advanced relational databases by using object relational mapping libraries.
- Research Methods ProjectCore
Module details
This module will align you with the forefront of scientific knowledge, and, in doing so, you will hone your research skills.
- Object Oriented Design and DevelopmentCore
Module details
This module will enable you to undertake a small-scale OO software development project which interacts through web services with other SaaS components.
- Mobile Application DevelopmentCore
Module details
This module will provide you with the fundamentals of mobile app development and thus give you the vital skills needed to develop your own apps.
Final year 7 modules
- Dissertation ProjectCore
Module details
Your dissertation may be practical or investigative in nature, but all projects must produce specific artefacts that demonstrate your intellectual and practical skills in the subject area.
- DevOpsCore
Module details
This module explores combining the skills of those who develop the software with the skills to support these systems in a live environment.
- Industrial Consulting ProjectCore
Module details
The module will deliver 'Real-world' learning which involves interaction with employers and external organisations to allow you to prepare, rehearse and reflect on your experiences.
- Immersive TechnologiesOptional
Module details
On this module you will learn how to design and develop your own prototypes in response to typical immersive scenarios involving virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) or mixed reality (MR).
- Advanced Mobile Development and 3DOptional
Module details
This module takes your mobile development to an advanced level and covers some of the complex features of mobile application development with a focus on recent developments and interesting use-cases.
- Data ScienceOptional
Module details
On this module you will explore the use of visualisations, data cleaning and pre-processing, data science programming libraries, and prediction amongst others.
- Machine LearningOptional
Module details
Aspects of learning principles and algorithms will be covered in this module, key concepts include; supervised and unsupervised learning, loss functions and generalisation, probabilistic theory, kernel methods for non-linear data, Bayesian methods and Ensemble learning amongst others.
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 software engineering from first principles through to independent research and delivery. A course like this normally moves from programming fundamentals, typically in Python and Java, alongside discrete mathematics, and computer systems and architecture in Year 1. Year 2 deepens your foundation with algorithms and data structures, databases and software engineering, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. By Year 3, you'll choose specialist options such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, systems and networks, human-computer interaction, or advanced software engineering. You'll also study security and networks, covering threat models and cryptographic design, and undertake an individual project: a substantial supervised software build where you design, implement and evaluate a real system.
Who it's for
This course suits those with strong interest in software development and problem-solving through code. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among accepted students was 96–111 points. You should be prepared for technical study combining programming, systems design, and software architecture. It's suitable whether you're aiming for software development roles, specialised technical positions, or further postgraduate study.
Careers & job market
Across Computer Science courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating, with 75% of working graduates in highly skilled roles or further study. Graduate earnings data from national sources (Graduate Outcomes and LEO) shows starting salaries typically between £25,000 and £35,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £29,750–£42,000 after five years. Demand for software engineers remains steady across sectors including finance, healthcare, public services, and technology.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) is studied full-time over 3 years at Southampton Solent University, a university located in East Park Terrace. Teaching is delivered in English. The award is a nationally recognised UK Bachelor's degree. The university holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
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.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
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 (code SE01). 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
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at SSU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
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 – £32,000 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £25,000 | £19,500 – £31,000 | 205 |
| 5 years after | £30,500 | £23,500 – £38,500 | 205 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 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.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
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.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 80% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 20; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
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
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £27,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.2 out of 10: NSS 84.4% · in work or study 90% · continued 100%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Southampton Solent University
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 East Park Terrace
3,609 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 SSU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £30,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). 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 SSU’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 SSU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SSU
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
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