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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
Lancaster UniversityThe Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) MSci Hons is a four-year integrated master’s at Lancaster University, combining rigorous academic training with hands-on industry placements. It’s designed for students eager to master advanced software engineering concepts while gaining real-world experience through a dedicated industrial placement integrated into the course.
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.
Year 3
In the third 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.
Year 4
In your final year, you'll undertake a Fourth Year Individual Project, giving you scope for independent, substantial research or development in software engineering. In the second semester, you'll complete a 10-week industrial placement, arranged to align as closely as possible with your interests and guided by both academic and professional mentors. This placement immerses you in a contemporary ICT environment—working with SMEs, corporations, or third-sector organisations—where you'll apply degree-level knowledge within real-world professional practices. Alongside this, you'll study a Research Methods & Innovation module to build your critical thinking and investigative skills at a master’s level. You’ll also choose optional modules such as Advanced Networking, Advanced Programming, Digital Health, Distributed Systems, Engineering and Verifying Secure Distributed Systems, Languages and Compilation, and Machine Learning, allowing tailored specialization aligned with emerging industry trends.
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.
The Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) MSci Hons at Lancaster University is a premier integrated Master's programme designed for the brightest students who aim to reach the very top of the profession. It combines deep theoretical knowledge with extensive practical experience to create future industry leaders and innovators. Graduates of this MSci are primed for senior technical leadership and research-intensive roles from the outset. They are distinguished by their ability to manage complex software projects, lead engineering teams, and drive strategic technological innovation.
Typical Job Roles
This programme is structured to provide unparalleled advantages for your career:
University Services
You will be fully supported by Lancaster's award-winning Careers and Employability Service. The programme's cornerstone is its compulsory industrial placement year, where you will apply your skills in a professional setting. The integrated fourth Master's year then allows you to return and deepen your theoretical understanding, making your final year of study vastly more impactful.
Employment Stats
Lancaster is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for graduate prospects. An integrated Master's (MSci) is a direct and accelerated route to becoming a Chartered Engineer or Chartered IT Professional, which is associated with higher starting salaries and rapid progression into senior roles.
Industry Partnerships
The department maintains strong collaborative links with global industry leaders like IBM, BAE Systems, and ARM. These partnerships ensure the curriculum remains at the cutting edge and provide a vital network for your industrial placement and future employment opportunities.
Graduation Outcomes
You will graduate with an advanced Master's-level portfolio, a full year of substantive professional experience, and highly developed skills in complex systems design, project management, and research methods. This powerful combination makes you exceptionally competitive in the job market.
Further Academic Progression
An MSci from Lancaster is a premier qualification that provides an excellent foundation for the most advanced academic pursuits. You will be exceptionally well-prepared to embark directly on a PhD programme, either at Lancaster or another leading institution, to conduct pioneering research in specialised areas like secure systems, human-computer interaction, or distributed computing. This path is ideal for those targeting a career at the forefront of technological research and development.
Industrial Experience Year. Tuition Fees: 20% 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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