BEng Software Engineering

Year 1

You will be introduced to basic principles of programming and computation.

You will learn how information can be represented and processed in computer systems, as well as fundamental techniques to manage data and solve problems using computer programs.

The year also includes courses in mathematics necessary for all areas of informatics. Together these form the foundations of more in-depth study of computation in future years.

You can choose option courses from various schools across the University.

Year 2

You will build on Year 1, covering more advanced programming and data structures, together with related mathematics.

Courses offered will develop greater understanding of software development, decision making, learning from data, and the internals of computers or computer systems.

Option courses are available from various schools across the University.

Year 3

Your studies will become more focused and you will have more choice in selecting specialised courses, according to your own interests, from a range of options specific to software engineering as well as other courses in informatics.

Coursework assignments typically provide you with experience in practical work, independent problem solving, and group work. Your exact curriculum depends on your selected courses.

Options offered in recent years include courses in software testing, computer security, databases, operating systems, computer networks, and around 10 others.

Year 4

You will choose from a large number of advanced course options to build a particular portfolio or expertise of your interest.

This includes an individual honours project where you will learn to develop a viable project starting from a given topic. You will have a variety of choices when selecting your project and a supervisor to guide you.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2020/21)

Our facilities

You will be based within the School of Informatics, with lectures, tutorials and classes held in Appleton Tower, which provides purpose-built facilities and dedicated learning and teaching spaces, all located in the University's Central Area.

You will have 24-hour access to computer laboratories and quality software support is available.

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical classes.

In later years you will spend more time working on projects that involve building computer systems from scratch, developing systems, doing experimental work or working on more theoretical topics with guidance from your supervisor.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by coursework assignments, larger projects and exams. Some project work will be undertaken individually and some together with other students. You will complete a large individual project in your final year (or final two years for MInf students).

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2020/21)

Our graduates have excellent career prospects in IT industry and beyond.

They comfortably secure roles such as software engineer, hardware engineer, app developer, web developer, and programmer but also increasingly: data analyst/scientist or business analyst in the financial sector.

Popular employers include: Google, Facebook, Amazon, IBM, SkyScanner, Intel, ARM, Samsung, NVIDIA, Keysight, RockStar North as well as RBS, JP Morgans, Citigroup.

Other industries and professions that rely heavily on computing systems, including media (e.g. BBC), communications (Ericsson, Huawei), energy (British Gas) and medicine (Canon Medical Systems) are all potential employers for the School of Informatics graduates.

Our school has a record number of startups & spinouts over the last ten years including those set up by our alumni, such as Fanduel, Robotical or PlayerData.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAA - AAAB (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAA - AAB.
• IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: AABB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 32 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A. Advanced Higher Mathematics is recommended. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics at A. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only) at 6. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• SQA Standard Grade at 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 at A
• SQA Intermediate 2 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

*(Revised 27 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for BEng Software Engineering

Additional costs

None.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Informatics Teaching Organisation
• Email: ito@inf.ed.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5194
• Web: Computer Science (Informatics) website
• International enquiries