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University of Southampton · Undergraduate
MEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Industrial Studies and Foundation Year Integrated Master's degree at Southampton
MEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Industrial Studies and Foundation Year at Southampton. Rather than heading straight into an ordinary computing degree, this MEng route builds in a foundation year and a substantial industrial placement, giving you a full six years to move from the fundamentals of programming through to…
MEng (Hons)
Award
6
Years
Full-time
Study mode
92%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Train to become a skilled software developer on this MEng Software Engineering degree. You'll plan and analyse business needs, then find solutions to meet them. From the provider’s course page.
MEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Industrial Studies and Foundation Year is an Integrated Master's degree (MEng (Hons)) at Southampton. It runs 6 years, studied full-time.
For Computing graduates from this provider, 92% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £36,000. (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.
8.6
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong71
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)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional92
Moderate evidence Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 92% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional95
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
A typical UK Computer Science degree builds from foundations to specialist options and a final project. An indicative structure:
| Stage | Module |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Programming Fundamentals Imperative and object-oriented programming, typically in Python and Java. |
| Year 1 | Computer Systems & Architecture How hardware, operating systems and networks actually run code. |
| Year 1 | Discrete Mathematics for Computing Logic, sets, graphs and proofs underpinning algorithms. |
| Year 2 | Algorithms & Data Structures Designing and analysing efficient solutions; complexity in practice. |
| Year 2 | Databases & Software Engineering Data modelling, SQL and building maintainable systems in teams. |
| Year 2 | Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Search, learning algorithms and model evaluation. |
| Year 3 | Specialist options Typically cybersecurity, distributed systems, graphics, NLP or advanced ML. |
| Year 3 | Security & Networks Threat models, cryptography basics and secure system design. |
| Year 3 | Individual project A substantial supervised build-and-evaluate software project. |
Typical structure for this subject (indicative). Modules vary by university. Check the provider's course page for the exact curriculum.
Specialisations & pathways
Artificial intelligenceCybersecurityData scienceSoftware engineeringSystems & networksHuman-computer interaction
Tip: click a specialisation → current jobs in that area.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The degree progresses from the foundation year, where you build up mathematical, computational and study skills, into the core software engineering curriculum, and then into an industrial placement year before returning to complete Master's-level modules. Across the degree you'll cover the practical business of software development: requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing and maintenance, alongside the underlying computer science theory that supports it. As you move through the years you can shape your studies towards areas such as Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Web & Mobile, Cloud & DevOps, Games, and HCI, letting you tailor the later stages of the course towards the kind of software work that interests you most. The industrial studies placement is a distinctive feature: rather than a short internship, it's built into the structure of the degree itself, giving you an extended period working as part of a software team, applying what you've learned to live problems, and returning to your studies with a clearer sense of how the theory maps onto practice. The final MEng year brings the work up to Master's level, deepening technical and analytical skills expected of someone moving into a more senior engineering role.
Who it's for
This route suits someone who's drawn to building things and solving problems, but who isn't necessarily arriving with a finished set of computing qualifications, the foundation year is there precisely for that reason, so if your background doesn't quite line up but your curiosity and motivation do, this is a realistic way in. You should enjoy logical, structured thinking and be comfortable with the idea that a lot of learning happens through doing: writing code, testing it, breaking it, and fixing it again. If the thought of spending a substantial stretch of the degree actually working inside a real organisation, on real business problems, appeals more than a purely classroom-based path, the industrial studies element will suit you well. It also suits people who like the idea of choice within a technical degree, as you progress you'll be able to lean towards areas such as AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, or Games, so it helps to go in open-minded about which of these strands eventually grabs you. Because it's a six-year commitment across foundation, taught, and placement stages, it particularly suits those who want a thorough, unhurried route into software engineering rather than the fastest possible route to a degree, and who are happy to keep building both technical depth and workplace experience over an extended period.
Careers & job market
Across Computer Science courses nationally, Graduate Outcomes data shows that around 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after finishing, with about 75% of those in work described as being in highly skilled roles, figures that reflect the national picture for the subject area rather than anything specific to this course or university. National LEO earnings data for the same graduate population shows typical starting salaries in the region of £25,000–£35,000 fifteen months after graduating, moving to roughly £23,375–£33,000 after three years and £29,750–£42,000 after five years; these are broad national ranges, not guarantees, and individual outcomes vary considerably depending on role, sector, and location. For a software engineering graduate with an industrial placement behind them, the specialisation strands covered during the course, such as Cyber Security, Cloud & DevOps, and AI & Machine Learning, reflect areas of active demand in the wider software industry, though how that translates into any individual's career naturally depends on the path they choose to pursue after graduating.
University & format
The University of Southampton is a public, Russell Group university founded in 1862, based in Southampton, with a total student population of 21,335. It's and holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. This MEng (Hons) is studied full-time over six years, taught in English, and combines a foundation year, an industrial placement, and Master's-level study within a single integrated award (UCAS code II30). Recent accepted students most commonly held UCAS tariffs in the 160–175 range, though this reflects typical entrant profiles rather than a stated requirement, and around 60% of accepted students arrived via a foundation course. Nationally, around 85% of students in this subject area continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies.
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.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 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.
Published entryA*AA typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
AccreditationBCS, IET
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
PlacementPublished placement option
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysOpen days and visits
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of A*AA. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held a foundation course60% of accepted students came in with a foundation course (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 160 - 175 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Southampton's official course page for the current offer.
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 foundation course | 60% |
| A-levels or equivalent | 35% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
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.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
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.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeII30quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code II30). 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.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Southampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£31,000 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Southampton →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 6 years
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.
Funding matched to this course
All Southampton funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
electrical engineering students
Check eligibility →Global Talent in Adult Nursing Scholarship£5,000 off tuition fees
international students studying eligible undergraduate or postgraduate master's in adult n
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
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 | £36,000 | £30,000 – £40,500 | 60 |
| 3 years after | £47,000 | £37,000 – £58,500 | 115 |
| 5 years after | £62,000 | £45,000 – £82,000 | 120 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
92%
in work or further study 15 months on
90%
in highly skilled work or study
95%
continue past their first year
75%
find their work meaningful
89%
say work fits their future plans
- 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
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£36,000
£25,000 – £35,000After 3 years LEO
£47,000
£23,375 – £33,000After 5 years LEO
£62,000
£29,750 – £42,000national rangethis course’s medianaxis £20,500 – £65,000
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.
92 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
80% working8% working and studying4% in further study90% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. 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.
This course £62,000Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £29,000–£43,000
98th percentile
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 · 72% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
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: 160; response rate: 60%. 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.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Computer Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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) LimitedLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is 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
92% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £36,000. 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 8.6 out of 10: NSS 71.4% · in work or study 92% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Southampton
All students25,785
International35.1%
Aged 25+17%
Computing across the UK
Students205,990
Aged 25+31.2%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Southampton
941 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 308Anti Social Behaviour 121Shoplifting 106Public Order 79Criminal Damage Arson 75
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 Southampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £31,000 / 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
Southampton offers the Global Talent in Adult Nursing Scholarship (£5,000 off tuition fees) for international students, see Scholarships above.
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 Southampton and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Southampton
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 160 - 175 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Southampton. Most accepted students held a foundation course. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Computing graduates from this provider, 92% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £36,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
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. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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