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University of Strathclyde · Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Software Engineering Bachelor's degree at Strathclyde
BSc (Hons) Software Engineering at Strathclyde is taught in English at the John Anderson Campus. You'll study specialisations such as Software Engineering, Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Web & Mobile, Cloud & DevOps, Games, and HCI.
BSc (Hons)
Award
5
Years
Full-time
Study mode
87%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
BSc (Hons) Software Engineering is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Strathclyde, based in John Anderson Campus. It runs 5 years, studied full-time.
For Computing graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 91% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £33,000. (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.
8.3
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong80
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
Excellent87
Moderate evidence Published sample: 45; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 87% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent83
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 83% (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 1 7 modules
- Machines, Languages & ComputationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will help you to achieve a broad knowledge of the essence of computation and computational systems, as embodied by the notions of computable functions, formal languages and recursion, logic and computability and abstract machines.
- Information & Information SystemsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will help you understand a broad knowledge of information systems and how information is created, used and disseminated within an information society.
- Programming FoundationsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The module will provide you with a solid foundation in the principles of computer programming. On completing this class you should have the necessary skills to be able to design, build and test a small system in a high-level language (Java is currently the language used).
- Computer Systems & OrganisationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Semester 1: You'll develop an understanding and appreciation of a computer system's functional components – both hardware and software, their characteristics, their interactions, and their fundamental role in the manipulation of data. Semester 2: You'll further your knowledge of the design parameters of a typical computer system and the impact these have on the functionality, and implementation, of the hardware and software components.
- Topics in ComputingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will help you to develop a broader perspective of computer science and to develop problem solving, team working, presentational skills, as well as personal and professional development skills.
- Technology in BusinessCompulsory10 credits
Module details
The module will help to provide students with an appreciation of the real-world use of technology to support business.
- Elective ModuleElective10 credits
Module details
In first year most students take an elective module from a range of topics, normally by other departments, to give a taste of other subjects and broaden your curriculum.
Year 2 8 modules
- Advanced ProgrammingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will further your skills in object-oriented programming, provide knowledge of key abstract data types along with their implementation and usage, and to provide experience in the development of larger scale software and an introduction to design. Your main goal is to be able to develop larger programs with specialized data structures and utilizing APIs from a specification, and being able to ensure and show how the system they developed matches the specification.
- Logic & AlgorithmsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will equip you with the tools to model and measure computation. To build on the module Machines, Languages and Computation, and develop further understanding of the mathematical foundations of computation. To foster an analytical and empirical appreciation of the behaviour of algorithms and the use of abstract data types.
- User & Data ModellingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will provide you with a critical appreciation and understanding of how to model user activities and the data to support them, together with how to implement systems and databases to support user activities.
- Computer Systems & ArchitectureCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will allow you to develop a deeper understanding of typical computer architectures and their instruction sets and the complex tradeoffs between CPU clock speed, cache size, bus organisation, number of core processors, etc, that influence their design and have a fundamental impact on their performance.
- Professional Issues in ComputingCompulsory10 credits
Module details
This module helps you to become aware of the legal, social, ethical and professional issues commensurate with the practice of information systems engineering.
- Quantitative Methods in Computer ScienceCompulsory10 credits
Module details
This module will teach the quantitative and numerical methods that underpin modern Computer Science, such as (but not restricted to) Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. The module will also provide students with the numerical methods needed to perform quantitative evaluations of algorithms and software.
- Functional ThinkingCompulsory10 credits
Module details
This module will introduce the core concepts and methods of modern functional programming.
- Agile Software Engineering in PracticeOptional10 credits
Module details
The module will enable you to gain practical experience of agile software delivery and developing for the cloud. You will learn how great teams work together and how robust dynamic software is created in practice. It will provide you with valuable insights into these important areas, knowledge of cutting-edge development processes, and the opportunity to enhance your software development skills.
Year 3 7 modules
- Building Software SystemsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will extend and deepen your understanding of the analysis, design and implementation of software systems; to provide further experience in the activity of designing and implementing non-trivial systems; and to enable you to demonstrate practical competence in a group environment. Your goal is the development in a group setting of significant systems from scratch aiming not just at any solution but a good solution, and to be introduced to more general Software Engineering topics.
- Functional ProgrammingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The module aims to provide you with skills in basic functional programming and experience in integrated deployment of those skills.
- Web Applications DevelopmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will give you an understanding of the technologies used in the development of N-tier Internet-based applications.
- Foundations of Artificial IntelligenceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The module will give you a broad appreciation of the scale and nature of the problems within Artificial Intelligence. It will also give you a detailed understanding of some of the fundamental techniques used to address those problems.
- Computer Systems & ConcurrencyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will allow you to develop a deeper understanding of highly concurrent hardware and software systems. The module will also further your knowledge of the need for, and the design and implementation of, those other vital hardware and software components of a concurrent system, namely multiprocessors and their interconnections, operating systems and networks. The interactions between many of these components will be investigated by means of significant practical work that consolidates th
- Mobile App DevelopmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The module will provide you with a good understanding of the issues in developing for mobile environments, approaches to handling these issues and skills in developing for a widespread mobile platform.
- Introduction to Human-Computer InteractionOptional20 credits
Module details
The module will enable students to analyse and apply evaluation techniques to human-centred systems.
Year 4 5 modules
- Industrial PlacementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
You will attend your industrial placement, providing weekly progress updates and analysing the software engineering practices that are followed. You will develop skills as a professional software engineer, learning new technologies as needed to complete your work.
- Individual ProjectCompulsory40 credits
Module details
The aim of the module is to enable you to demonstrate practical and documentary competence. You'll also be expected to give a demonstration of your work.
- Computer SecurityCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to develop a security mind-set by introducing you to core material in the area of computer security. This should enable you to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities for a range of situations, and propose appropriate actions to mitigate these issues.
- Software Architecture and DesignCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will enable you to understand the challenges of advanced software design and the issues associated with large-scale software architectures, frameworks, patterns and components. You'll also develop your understanding of the tools and techniques that may be used for the automatic analysis and evaluation of software.
- Advanced Functional ProgrammingOptional20 credits
Module details
The module will allow you to further your skills in functional programming.
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 how to design, build and evaluate software systems in a practical, project-focused environment. A course like this typically begins with programming fundamentals in languages such as Python and Java, alongside computer systems and discrete mathematics. Year 2 moves into algorithms, data structures, databases and software engineering, introducing how to build systems that scale and work in teams. You'll also explore artificial intelligence and machine learning. In your final years, you'll choose specialisations such as cybersecurity, data science, human-computer interaction or distributed systems, culminating in a substantial supervised software project where you design and evaluate a system of your own.
Who it's for
This course suits those interested in software development and computing. Most recent entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among accepted students fell between 224 and 239 points. Check the university's admissions pages for current entry requirements.
University & format
This is a full-time Bachelor's degree (BSc Hons) at the University of Strathclyde, a public university founded in 1796, based at its John Anderson Campus. The course runs for 5 years and is taught in English. It leads to a nationally recognised UK degree award.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 83%.
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.
AccreditationBCS
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
PlacementPublished placement option
Industrial placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent60% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 224 - 239 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 Strathclyde'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-levels or equivalent | 60% |
| another higher-education qualification | 34% |
| an Access course | 2% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 2% |
| Other | 2% |
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 codeG600quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code G600). 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 Strathclyde 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
International£28,600 / yr
Provider fee page. Set under Scotland's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Strathclyde →If you normally live in Scotland
For eligible Scottish-domiciled students at an eligible Scottish provider, SAAS can pay tuition directly. Living-cost support can combine bursary and loan and depends on household income and student circumstances. Students from elsewhere use their home funding body.
Check the current amounts with SAAS →Paying for it
- SAAS tuition payment: paid directly to the university for eligible Scottish-domiciled students, applied for through SAAS.
- Living-cost support: a mix of bursary and loan from SAAS, depending on household income.
- Repayment: only above the Scottish repayment threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Scotland runs its own system through SAAS; check saas.gov.uk for current rates.
Funding matched to this course
All Strathclyde funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Faculty of Engineering International Scholarship15% reduction in tuition fees
self-funded, international (non-EU) undergraduate students beginning September 2026
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 | £33,000 | £30,000 – £39,000 | 45 |
| 3 years after | £33,500 | £27,500 – £43,000 | 160 |
| 5 years after | £41,500 | £32,000 – £55,000 | 170 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 45; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
87%
in work or further study 15 months on
91%
in highly skilled work or study
83%
continue past their first year
85%
find their work meaningful
85%
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
£33,000
£25,000 – £35,000After 3 years LEO
£33,500
£23,375 – £33,000After 5 years LEO
£41,500
£29,750 – £42,000national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,000 – £43,500
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.
87 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
79% working6% working and studying1% in further study91% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 45; 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 £41,500Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £29,000–£43,000
74th 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 · 77% 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: 110; response rate: 63%. 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
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold.
📈
Where graduates go
87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £33,000. 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 8.3 out of 10: NSS 79.7% · in work or study 87% · continued 83%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Strathclyde
All students22,225
International18.8%
Aged 25+28.6%
Computing across the UK
Students205,990
Aged 25+31.2%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Computer Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Strathclyde from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £28,600 / 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
Strathclyde offers the Faculty of Engineering International Scholarship (15% reduction in 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 Strathclyde and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Strathclyde
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 224 - 239 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 Strathclyde. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Computing graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 91% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £33,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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