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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
Lancaster UniversityThe Software Engineering BSc (Hons) with Study Abroad year at Lancaster University equips you with expert skills in designing, developing, and delivering software systems, all through immersive studio-based learning while providing the invaluable personal and professional growth that comes from living and studying in a different culture. It’s a great choice if you're keen to experience collaborative, real-world software engineering from day one, supported by modern labs and a vibrant university community.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your first year lays the bedrock of computing and systems thinking. You'll dive into Digital Systems and Fundamentals of Computer Science to understand hardware and algorithmic foundations. Paired with Software Development A and B, you’ll learn programming essentials. You also get flexibility through optional modules—Contemporary Topics in Computing, DevOps, Matrices and Calculus, or Probability and Statistics—letting you explore interests ranging from industry trends to mathematical analysis.
Year 2
Year two deepens your focus on people-friendly and secure computing. Core courses include HCI: Designing for People, Networks and Systems, Secure Systems and Data Engineering, and the hands-on Software Engineering Studio. Optional modules allow you to branch into Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms, Concurrent, Parallel, and Operating Systems, Extended Reality, or Internet Applications, providing a mix of theory and applied learning.
Study Abroad Year
This year represents a transformative chapter in your academic journey: your year abroad. You will study at one of Lancaster's approved international partner universities, which have previously included institutions in Australia, the USA, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Asia. This year is designed to help you develop a global outlook, expand your professional network, and gain invaluable cultural and personal skills. You will choose specialist modules relating to your degree, gaining a different perspective on software engineering, and may also have the opportunity to study modules from other subjects offered by your host university. This immersion in a new academic and cultural environment fosters unparalleled independence and adaptability.
Year 3
In the final year, studio-based learning reaches its peak with Third Year SE Design Studio I and II, where you tackle real-world software projects in collaborative environments. You also have a wide choice of optional modules to tailor your specialization—options include Advanced Networking, Advanced Programming, Computer Science Education, Computer Vision, Digital Health, Distributed Systems, Embedded Systems, Engineering and Verifying Secure Distributed Systems, Languages and Compilation, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Quantum Computing, Secure Artificial Intelligence, Secure Cyber-Physical Systems, and Sustainable Computing. This breadth ensures you can focus on areas you're most passionate about.
Focus Areas
Hands-on software design and engineering, secure and user-centered systems, collaborative studio projects, and advanced elective exploration across AI, systems, networks, and emerging technologies.
Learning Outcomes
You’ll leave equipped to build effective, secure software systems, lead collaborative development projects, adapt to evolving tech trends, and strike a balance between practical engineering and theoretical innovation.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This degree is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), The Chartered Institute for IT. This accreditation ensures the programme meets the highest professional standards, providing a pathway to becoming a Chartered IT Professional (CITP).
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Lancaster stands out in rankings: 13th overall for Computer Science and Information Systems (The Guardian University Guide 2025), and 19th for Research Quality in Computer Science (The Complete University Guide 2026). Its practical-focused curriculum and career support serve graduates well in expanding tech careers.
The Software Engineering BSc Hons at Lancaster University is meticulously designed to turn you into a proficient software architect, capable of designing and building reliable, large-scale software systems.
This degree is deeply practical from the very start. You'll learn by doing, creating software in a collaborative environment that mirrors the industry. Our approach is centred around project-based learning in our dedicated labs, using professional tools to solve complex problems. This ensures you build a strong portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills to future employers:
Industry-Standard Software & Environments: You will develop software using the same tools used in the professional world. This includes advanced Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code and IntelliJ, version control with Git, and collaborative coding platforms. The course also covers specialised design and modelling tools such as UML for planning complex software systems.
Group Projects & Real-World Simulation: A cornerstone of your experience is the team project. You'll work in a group to specify, design, construct, and test a significant software application, simulating a real commercial environment. This is invaluable experience in project management, collaboration, and agile development methodologies, giving you a huge advantage when you start your career.
Cutting-Edge Laboratory Facilities: You'll have access to Lancaster's exceptional computing facilities. This includes the Computer Science teaching laboratories, which are equipped with high-specification PCs and all the necessary professional software. These dedicated spaces are designed for both individual learning and collaborative group work.
Internships & Industry Connections: We strongly encourage you to take an optional industrial placement year between your second and final year. Our dedicated careers team will support you in finding a placement, and our industry links have seen previous students secure roles at major companies like IBM, BAE Systems, Nokia, and ARM.
Research-Led Teaching & Specialist Institutes: Your learning is enhanced by the research conducted within our School of Computing and Communications. This includes work in cyber security, data science, and distributed systems, ensuring you are learning about the latest challenges and innovations in the field of software engineering.
This programme is specifically designed for students who are passionate about building robust, reliable software systems and want to launch a highly successful career as a skilled engineer, not just a coder. Graduates of the Software Engineering BSc Hons at Lancaster University are renowned for their rigorous approach to software design and development, making them highly sought after by leading employers. They leave here ready to tackle complex engineering challenges and drive innovation in a wide range of sectors.
Typical job roles include:
Software Engineer
Systems Developer
Applications Programmer
Software Test Engineer
Lancaster provides a comprehensive and supportive ecosystem to ensure you achieve your career goals:
University Services:
Lancaster's award-winning Careers and Employability Service offers dedicated support from your first year, including one-to-one guidance and networking events. Crucially, this degree includes a compulsory industrial placement year, where you'll apply your skills in a professional setting, gaining invaluable experience and industry contacts.
Employment Stats:
Lancaster University is consistently ranked highly for graduate prospects. An impressive 92% of Lancaster's Computer Science graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020-21).
Industry Partnerships:
The department has strong links with industry giants like IBM, BAE Systems, and ARM. These partnerships inform our curriculum and provide opportunities for real-world projects, guest lectures from industry professionals, and a pipeline to top placement years.
Graduation Outcomes:
You will graduate with a substantial portfolio of practical work, direct professional experience from your placement year, and a proven ability to engineer high-quality software using industry-standard methodologies in team environments.
Further Academic Progression:
Your BSc Hons from Lancaster provides a superb foundation for advanced study. You would be an excellent candidate for a specialised MSc programme in areas such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, or Advanced Software Engineering, either at Lancaster or another top university. The strong research culture within the School of Computing and Communications also provides a clear pathway for those interested in pursuing a PhD, allowing you to contribute to groundbreaking research projects.
Study Abroad Year. Tuition Fees: 15% of full time rate UCAS Application • Official High School Transcripts • Personal Statement • Educational Resume • Letter of Recommendation by School TeacherEnglish test results: IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT: 87 overall, minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 17 in speaking and 20 in writingA Levels: AAA. This should include Mathematics grade A or Computer Science grade A. Applicants with these subjects at A level will be considered for a lower overall offer.International Baccalaureate (IB): 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in Computer Science HL or Mathematics HL (either analysis and approaches or applications and interpretations)GCSE: English Language grade 4/CIndian Certificate of Secondary Education (Standard XII): Pass with 70% to 87% average from the best 4 subjects, excluding Hindi and PE.USA curriculum: A High School Diploma with a GPA of 3.2+ PLUS: 3 AP exams in relevant subjects with 544 OR Associate Degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0Software DeveloperApplications DeveloperWeb DeveloperSystems AnalystIT ConsultantGames DeveloperDevOps EngineerData EngineerCybersecurity AnalystSoftware Quality Assurance Engineer
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