BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering)

At Plymouth, the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) degree is built on a foundation of “learning through doing.” You’ll develop your coding and system design skills early, tackle real-world group projects, and have the option to earn invaluable industry experience—all within brand-new, high-tech facilities.

Experiential Learning continues as follows:

Hands-on, applied projects from Year 1:
Right from the start, you'll get a taste of real-world software design through modules like Computing Practice and Software Engineering 1, where you carry an idea from analysis and design through to a prototype implementation. Programming paradigms, control structures, object-orientation, functional programming and development tools are all explored via practical assignments.

Team-based Software Development in Year 2:
The Computing Group Project lets you work in teams, role play like professionals, and take your software idea through analysis, design, construction, testing, and communication — exactly the cycle engineers use in practice.

State-of-the-art lab environments hosted in modern facilities:
You’ll study within specialized labs in the recently renovated Babbage Building, including cyber security, games development, XR (extended reality), AI, web services and software engineering labs. These spaces come packed with powerful hardware, IoT setups, GPUs, cyber ranges, and pod layouts to support collaboration and innovation. You also have remote 24/7 access for flexible working.

Optional industry placement year:
Planning your future? You can take an optional but highly recommended 48-week placement year in Year 3. Academic modules like Placement Preparation prepare you, and the University helps with CV support, applications, and tutor visits. Past placements include tech giants like IBM, Microsoft and HP, national bodies like the Met Office and BBC, as well as local organizations like Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Marine Labs.

Strong outcomes from placement experiences:
Students report real growth from placements. For instance, one student at Renishaw said they “learned so much that university can’t teach you,” especially around complex programming and professional confidence. Another at Accenture spoke about being ambitious, exploring new languages, and gaining certifications—all underpinned by the support of placement tutors and BPIE modules.

Major Final-Year Project—with industry relevance:
In your final year, you’ll take on the Computing Project, delivering a substantial software solution from scratch. Prior modules support you in web development, HCI/usability, visualisation, and user testing—ensuring you build something both innovative and robust.

Live project showcases for peer and industry exposure:
Students’ work is brought to life in the virtual projects showcase, where real applications—like social platforms, AI tools, cloud solutions, and healthcare systems—are made visible to peers and professionals alike.

Exceptional student-to-employer paths and employability focused teaching:
The programme emphasizes employability. It’s common for students to transition straight into roles like software developers, systems analysts, and project managers. Personal stories, like Jake Evans’ path from placement to job, highlight the practical value of this applied learning approach.

The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) at the University of Plymouth is an incredible choice 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 employers across various sectors. They leave here ready to tackle complex engineering challenges and drive innovation, equipped with a solid base of computing skills that opens doors to rewarding opportunities in programming, applications development, and beyond.

Typical job roles include:

• Software Engineer
• Systems Analyst
• Software Developer
• Mobile Applications Developer

The university provides a dedicated support system to ensure you are career-ready upon graduation:

University Services
You will be supported by the university's dedicated Careers Service, which offers one-to-one advice, CV workshops, and practice interviews. A key feature is the option to undertake a paid placement year, giving you invaluable work experience and a significant advantage in the job market.

Employment Stats
The university has a strong record for graduate employability. The practical, industry-focused nature of this degree ensures that you stand out from the crowd when it comes to job applications and pursuing your future career.

Industry Partnerships
The curriculum is designed with industry needs in mind. You'll have the opportunity to work on real-world problems and potentially connect with industry partners through your final-year project and placement opportunities.

Graduation Outcomes
You will graduate with a comprehensive portfolio of practical work, hands-on experience with industry-standard methodologies, and the proven ability to work both independently and in collaborative environments. The course shares a common first year, offering flexibility to transfer to other computing degrees if you discover a specific interest in a related area.

Further Academic Progression:
Completing your BSc (Hons) at Plymouth is just the beginning. The university offers a clear pathway for further study, including specialised Master's degrees (MSc) in advanced computing topics. The strong foundation also provides an excellent base for pursuing a PhD and contributing to cutting-edge research in software engineering.