BSc Hons Software Engineering with a Year Abroad

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Swansea University

Program Overview

The Software Engineering BSc (Hons) with a Study Abroad Year at Swansea University offers a modern, hands-on education blending foundational computing theory with real-world development practice. It's perfect for students who value both technical depth and practical experience, taught within Swansea’s state-of-the-art Computational Foundry. This variation is perfect for the ambitious and adventurous student who wants to master the principles of building robust software systems while gaining the invaluable personal and professional growth that comes from living and studying in a different culture46. You'll graduate not just as a skilled engineer, but as a confident, adaptable global citizen with a significant competitive edge, ready to tackle complex technological challenges anywhere in the world.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
You’ll start with a strong foundation in programming, computing concepts, and professional awareness. Core modules include Programming 1 and Programming 2, Concepts of Computer Science, Modelling Computing Systems 1 & 2, Professional Issues 1: Computers and Society, Professional Issues 2: Software Development, and Introduction to Data Science—giving you a well-rounded introduction to both technical and ethical aspects of computing.

Year 2
In your second year, the focus shifts towards software development, databases, algorithms, and refining your engineering practice. Compulsory modules are Declarative Programming, Software Engineering, Database Systems, Algorithms, and Software Engineering 2. You'll also choose 45 credits from optional subjects—such as Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction, Concurrency, Software Security Engineering, Web Service Development, Visual Computing, Automata and Formal Language Theory, or Intelligent Robotics, allowing you to begin tailoring your interests.

Study Abroad Year
 
Your year abroad will be spent at one of Swansea's prestigious international partner universities, spanning the globe (e.g., Australia, USA, Canada, Europe). This immersive experience is designed to develop your global outlook, expand your professional network, and allow you to gain a different perspective on software engineering by studying specialist modules relating to your degree, potentially including subjects not offered at Swansea. It's a transformative chapter that fosters unparalleled independence, cross-cultural communication skills, and adaptability.

Year 3 
In your final year, half of your learning comes through individual and group projects that mirror industry expectations. Core modules include project-focused units: Software Engineering Project Planning and Management, Project Specification and Development, Implementation and Dissertation, and Software Testing. You’ll also select 30 credits from optional offerings like Writing Mobile Apps, High Integrity Systems, Big Data and Machine Learning, Web Application Development, Embedded Systems Design, or Teaching Computing via a School Placement—so you can focus your studies on preferred niches.

Focus Areas
Software design and implementation, systems thinking and modeling, database and algorithm expertise, project management and testing, plus flexible electives in emerging areas like AI, mobile, security, and embedded systems.

Learning Outcomes
This degree prepares you to design, build, and test reliable software systems; manage and deliver projects effectively; apply both foundational theory and emerging technologies; and specialize in areas you enjoy.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This programme is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), enabling graduates to become professional members straightaway.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Swansea consistently excels in the UK university rankings—12th for student satisfaction, Top 201-250 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025), 17th in the UK Computer Science (Daily Mail University Guide 2026), and 8th in the UK for Learning Resources (NSS 2025).
Its Computational Foundry provides incredible labs where students bring ideas to life. Graduates go on to work for top tech companies such as IBM, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, and participate in a vibrant annual Project Fair showcasing their software projects to industry experts.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Swansea University, the Software Engineering BSc (Hons) is built to immerse you in practical, hands-on learning from Day 1. You'll be working in an environment designed to bring your ideas to life—from creative prototyping to project showcases. The programme blends modern labs, real-world projects, and flexible degree paths to prepare you for the ever-changing tech landscape.

Experiential Learning continues as follows:

Cutting-edge facilities in the Computational Foundry:
You’ll learn and experiment in Swansea’s £32.5 million Computational Foundry, home to labs specifically tailored for software engineering—like Vision & Biometric, Maker, Theory, Cyber Security/Networking, User, and Visualisation suites.

Specialist hardware and tech tools:
Your projects will benefit from equipment like Arduinos, smart-home setups, and virtual reality headsets—bringing design and development into vivid, hands-on experiences.

Flexible degree paths for real-world experience:
You can enhance your learning with an optional year abroad or take a placement year in industry, letting you gain invaluable global or workplace exposure.

Group and individual project work:
By your final year, half of your programme is made up of individual and group projects—so you’ll be designing, building, and delivering software solutions collaboratively and independently.

Annual Project Fair & academic showcases:
Every year you’ll get to present your work at Swansea’s Project Fair, where industry professionals—including names like Google—come to view and critique student projects. It’s a unique chance to get noticed and to show off what you’ve built.

Dynamic teaching methods and digital tools:
Your learning blends lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical labs with the Canvas virtual learning environment, recorded lectures, virtual labs, and discussion forums—so you can learn actively and flexibly.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Software Engineering BSc (Hons) at Swansea University 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 are renowned for their rigorous approach to software design and development, making them highly sought after by leading global employers. They leave here ready to tackle complex engineering challenges and drive innovation in a wide range of sectors, from tech giants to innovative startups.

Typical job roles include:

  • Software Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Applications Programmer
  • Machine Learning Engineer

Swansea provides a comprehensive and supportive ecosystem to ensure you achieve your career goals:

University Services
The award-winning Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) supports you at every stage, offering workshops, one-to-one advice from qualified Careers Advisers, and help securing internships. Furthermore, the unique Career Development Course (CDC) is integrated into your studies, providing practical training in CV writing, interview techniques, and career planning, which is recorded on your final degree transcript.

Employment Stats
An impressive 92% of graduates are in work and/or further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023). The university is also ranked 6th in the UK for Career Prospects (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2023).

Industry Partnerships
The department has excellent links with industry leaders like IBM, Google, Disney, Facebook, Microsoft, and Sony. These partnerships are showcased at the annual Project Fair, where students display their third-year projects to industry experts, and through frequent guest lectures from companies such as Google on how to get a job with top tech employers.

Graduation Outcomes
You will graduate with a substantial portfolio of practical work, developed in the state-of-the-art Computational Foundry, which includes a Vision and Biometric Lab, Maker Lab, and Cyber Security Lab. The course includes a final-year individual project, allowing you to specialise and demonstrate your expertise to future employers.

Further Academic Progression
Your BSc (Hons) from Swansea provides a superb foundation for advanced study. You would be an excellent candidate for a specialised MSc programme at Swansea, such as their Computer Science MSc, which is a conversion course perfect for deepening your knowledge. The strong research culture within the School of Computer Science also provides a clear pathway for those interested in pursuing a PhD, allowing you to contribute to groundbreaking research projects in areas like cryptography, data security, and human-computer interaction.

Program Key Stats

£20,500
Sept Intake : 14th Jan


Eligibility Criteria

ABB - BBC
2.8
32
70

-
-
6.0
79

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Software Developer
  • Applications Developer
  • Web Developer
  • Systems Analyst
  • IT Consultant
  • DevOps Engineer
  • Data Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer
  • AI/ML Engineer

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