BEng Software Engineering (with integrated year in industry)

At Aberystwyth, this degree is all about diving into real-world engineering while earning your qualification. You’ll learn by doing—from designing software with industry practices to stepping into a full year of professional work—with the university providing the preparation, structure, and support to make it happen.

Experiential Learning Includes:

Placement Year with Paid Work Experience:
In your third year, you’ll spend a full year working in an industry role—earning a salary and gaining valuable professional experience. The department supports this through CV development, interview preparation, and networking. By the end, you return with enhanced motivation, capability, and a stronger career profile.

Hands-On Project Lifecycle Learning in Year 2:
You’ll take a dedicated Software Engineering module where you assume industry roles such as project manager or designer. Working as part of a team, you’ll produce a real software product by following the professional lifecycle from analysis through to delivery.

Applied Foundations from Year 1:
Early modules such as Introduction to Programming, Computer Infrastructure, Web Development, and Problems and Solutions establish core technical skills through practical and realistic assignments.

Capstone Major Project in Final Year:
Your degree culminates in a 40-credit Major Project, where you design and develop software in your chosen area of interest. This independent project allows you to apply everything you’ve learned in a meaningful, self-driven challenge.

Residential Weekend Workshop for Placement Preparation:
Industrial-year students attend a dedicated residential workshop in their second year. This focuses on employability skills including CV writing, interview techniques, networking with employers, and building a professional online presence.

Personalised Support:
Each student is assigned a personal tutor to guide them through academic or personal challenges. In addition, a Personal Development Plan (PDP) supports reflection, skill tracking, and career planning across the degree.

Accreditation and Industry Alignment:
This course is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, ensuring alignment with professional standards. It contributes towards eligibility for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status and can support progression towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) recognition.

Facilities and Resources:
Teaching is delivered in the Llandinam Building, with access to Linux and Mac labs, robotics equipment, and supercomputing infrastructure—providing excellent resources for coursework, research, and final-year projects.

The BEng Software Engineering (with Integrated Year in Industry) at Aberystwyth University programme is a great choice for students passionate about the entire lifecycle of creating large-scale, robust software systems and who want to graduate with a significant professional advantage. Graduates are highly sought after for their deep technical expertise and their understanding of the professional and management issues involved in large-scale software development. They leave ready to tackle complex engineering challenges in a variety of sectors, from software design and IT consultancy to web development and systems analysis.

Typical Job Roles Include:

• Software Designer
• Systems Analyst and Developer
• IT Consultant and Manager
• Web Developer

University Services:
You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree for academic and personal support. A key feature is the unique residential weekends; the first-year event focuses on team-based problem-solving to develop core skills, while the second-year event for industrial year students offers dedicated training in CV writing, interview techniques, and networking with employers to secure a great placement.

Employment Stats:
The skills acquired from this BCS-accredited course are specifically sought after by employers in computer science-related industries. The integrated industrial year provides invaluable experience, making graduates highly competitive in the job market for roles in software design, communications, networking, and IT management.

Industry Partnerships:
The course is heavily informed by industry needs. The industrial year is a core component, and the university actively facilitates connections through networking events and placement support, ensuring you gain practical experience in a professional setting.

Graduation Outcomes:
You will graduate with a substantial portfolio of practical work and a strong understanding of sound design principles. The course emphasizes programming in multiple languages, large-scale software development, telecommunications, distributed systems technologies, and secure data handling. The industrial year means you’ll also have nearly a full year of professional experience on your CV.

Further Academic Progression:
Completing your BEng at Aberystwyth is just the beginning. The university offers a clear and flexible pathway for high-achieving students to transfer to the integrated Master’s scheme (MEng) after their first or second year, adding the advantage of an advanced qualification. This strong foundation also provides an excellent base for pursuing a specialised Master’s degree (MSc) or even a PhD in computer science, supported by the department’s research-led staff.