BEng (Honours) Software Engineering with Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Sheffield Hallam University

Program Overview

The BEng (Hons) Software Engineering with a Foundation Year at Sheffield Hallam University is a four- to five-year pathway designed to help students build strong academic foundations and transition smoothly into software engineering studies. Through hands-on work in programming, web development, AI, and robotics—culminating in a final-year software product—you’ll develop both technical skills and real-world experience. The course includes opportunities for live client projects and a full year of industry placement.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year
You’ll begin with a structured foundation year to help you catch up and adjust if you don't initially meet entry requirements for the standard degree. Core modules such as Foundations in Computing 1 & 2, Maths for Foundation Computing, and Study Skills for Computing Students focus on building your confidence and ensuring you're ready to tackle degree-level content.

Year One
You’ll begin by mastering essential tools and languages through modules like Databases and System Modelling, Programming, Software Projects (a client-driven, practical development module), and Web Development. This mix ensures you develop coding skills, database logic, design thinking, and teamwork from Day 1.

Year Two
Your skills grow with Applied Software Engineering (focusing on agile and traditional methods, system quality, and architecture), Professional Software Projects (team-based tools, client-focused work, cloud deployment), and Systems Programming (deepening your understanding of system-level code, performance, and resource management). You also choose from options like AI & Machine Learning, Game Development, Cloud Data Handling, Mobile App Development, or even a Study Abroad semester.

Optional Placement Year
After Year Two, you can take a year-long, paid work placement—and you’ll earn an Applied Professional Diploma alongside real industry experience. Hallam students often intern with global names like IBM, Intel, Nissan, or Walt Disney.

Final Year
You’ll wrap up with a major Development Project, supported by a supervisor and aligned with industry standards. You’ll also take Management of IT Projects and Software Architecture and Design, plus choose an elective like Contemporary Software Engineering, Machine Learning Algorithms, Robotics, or Secure Software Engineering.

Focus Areas
Programming fundamentals, database & modelling, agile engineering, systems programming, client-based live projects, optional industry placement, final-year capstone and specialization.

Learning Outcomes
Gain confidence delivering real-world software systems, master engineering methods and architectures, manage complex projects, and graduate with industry-ready experience and specialist subject strengths.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This course is accredited by the BCS (Chartered Institute for IT)—meeting requirements for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status and partially meeting Chartered Engineer (CEng) requirements.

Reputation & Outcomes
Graduates enjoy 100% employment or further study within 15 months, with 86% in highly skilled roles (2021/22 data). You’ll study in SHU’s City Campus, with access to industry-standard labs, 24-hour support, and hands-on learning spaces. Teaching is Gold-rated (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Sheffield Hallam University, the Software Engineering degree is designed around learning by doing—you’ll gain hands-on experience building real software while developing essential practical skills. You’ll learn in environments that simulate industry setups through immersive labs, collaborative live projects, and guided research-based projects in your final year. Personal feedback through tutorials, group work, and live client challenges helps refine both your technical and teamwork skills.

Key Learning Experiences

Live Industry Projects and Client-Led Challenges: From your first and second years, you’ll work in teams to design, implement, and test software prototypes based on real client requirements, including augmented-reality, 3D tech, AI, cloud services, and mobile development.

Software Development Placement Year: Between years two and three, you can complete a year-long work placement with companies like IBM, Intel, or 3Squared, applying your skills in real enterprise settings while earning a Professional Diploma to enhance employability.

Final-Year Software Project with Academic Supervision: You’ll conceive, research, build, and test a significant software application under the guidance of a project supervisor, producing a portfolio-ready showcase.

Hands-On Teaching in Labs with Modern Tools: Learning includes lectures, lab sessions, group-based activities, practice-based applied learning, and continuous feedback.

Access to Cutting-Edge Computing Facilities:

  • Modern IDEs such as Visual Studio and industry-standard software; hardware that replicates commercial environments, including IoT and small-board computer (SBC) devices.

  • A PlayStation teaching lab—one of the world’s largest—for game development experience.

  • High-spec cybersecurity, networking, and forensics labs with Cisco-certified networking gear, VMWare setups, and software tools like Encase, Axiom Magnet, and Cellebrite.
  • Smart Interactive Technologies Lab, equipped with Nao and Pepper humanoid robots, MiRo pet robot, and Beam telepresence platforms for AI, robotics, and interactive technology research.
  • Campus-wide cloud-based and remote learning support via Microsoft Azure Lab Services, allowing access to required software and resources anywhere.
  • 24-Hour Study Spaces and Library: The Adsetts Library on City Campus is open around the clock, supplemented by purpose-designed study environments shaped by student feedback.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BSc (Hons) Software Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University is an excellent choice for students passionate about the creative and problem-solving aspects of technology and eager to build a career developing robust, high-quality systems that power the modern world.

Typical Job Roles

  • Software Engineer
  • Systems Analyst
  • Applications Developer
  • Web Developer

University Support & Industry Integration

University Services:
You will benefit from the university's Skills Centre, offering one-to-one support, webinars, and online resources for assignments. Specialist services for personal, academic, and career development include programming clinics and weekly coding workshops.

Employment Stats:
The employment outcomes are outstanding. 100% of graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 86% in highly skilled roles (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey).

Industry Partnerships:
The course has strong industry links. You’ll work on live projects for clients such as IBM, Autodesk, Next, and the NHS. Many students secure placements and graduate roles through these opportunities. An optional year-long salaried placement is supported by employers like IBM, Intel, Nissan, Walt Disney, and CSE Servelec.

Graduation Outcomes:
You’ll graduate with a substantial portfolio of practical work, including a final-year individual software project and group projects designing, implementing, and testing prototypes for real clients. The course emphasizes major programming languages like C#, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, and covers evolving technologies like AI, robotics, and machine learning.

Further Academic Progression:
Completing your BSc (Hons) at Sheffield Hallam opens pathways to specialised Master’s degrees (MSc) in areas like Advanced Computing or Artificial Intelligence. The university’s research culture and industry connections also provide a strong foundation for PhD studies or a career in industrial research and development.

Program Key Stats

£18,000
Rolling


86 %

Eligibility Criteria

CDD
NA
24 - 26
<65

NA
NA
6.0
79

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Software Developer
  • Technical Product Manager
  • DevOps Engineer
  • Sales Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
  • AI/ML Engineer
  • UX Designer
  • Data Scientist
  • Business Analyst

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