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A complete guide to software engineering degrees

Thinking about taking an online software engineering degree to learn specialist knowledge and improve your career opportunities? Find out everything you need to know here.

software engineer working

Software is all around us — in the social media apps on our phones, the cars we drive, our online banking accounts, the games we play, and many other places. Behind this software are a growing number of software engineers, using their mathematical logic and creative problem-solving skills to develop and customise it.

A degree that specialises in software engineering will offer you knowledge, understanding and technical skills that are desperately needed across every industry, offering you the chance to secure high-pay, high-impact careers after graduating. 

In this article, we’ll explore different types of software engineering degrees, some of the most exciting career paths, salaries, and how studying online could help you strike the perfect balance between work, study and life.

What is software engineering?

Software engineering is the process of designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software, ensuring that the end result is reliable and high quality. As an evolving field, the various tools and technologies used by software engineers are always developing, and the aim is to create more efficient software that solves problems and improves factors like quality, time and spend.

Software engineering vs software development

One question you may have straight off the back of this — what’s actually the difference between software engineering and the perhaps more widely known software development? While both make use of advanced technical computing skills, software development is actually a subset of software engineering. 

Both engineers and developers create applications and software, but software engineers are also experts in computer operating systems, with the ability to debug systems and apply engineering principles to software creation. There is more of a mathematical basis to software engineering, overall.

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Example modules on a software engineering degree

So, what will you actually study on a software engineering degree? There’s a lot of ground to cover, and it will really depend on the specific program and level you’re studying at, but there are certain topics that are fundamental to learn. 

Below, we’ve listed some example modules from software engineering degrees at UK universities, to give you a better idea of what to expect.

  • Programming languages
  • Architecture and operating systems
  • Networks and security
  • Virtualisation and cloud computing
  • Data structures and algorithms
  • Mathematics for computing
  • Core computing concepts
  • Software design and development
  • Mobile application development
  • Ethical hacking
  • Artificial intelligence

Types of software engineering degree

There are all kinds of software engineering degrees out there, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. You’ll tend to see either a Bachelor/Master of Science or Bachelor/Master of Engineering. The main difference between the two is that a BSc/MSc focuses on theoretical knowledge, while a BEng/MEng emphasises practical application in engineering fields.

It’s common for them to be joint honours or have slightly different focuses depending on what you want to specialise in, so it’s important that you do your research properly first. Below we’ve listed some of your options.

  • Software Engineering BSc
  • Software Engineering BEng
  • Electronic and Software Engineering BEng
  • Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems BEng 
  • Computer Engineering MEng
  • Computing (Software Engineering) MEng
  • Information Engineering MEng

Skills you’ll learn on a software engineering degree

There’s certainly no shortage of skills to learn on a software engineering degree. This is a subject where hard (or technical) skills are absolutely essential, as you’ll be using your mathematical and programming skills every day to solve complex problems. However, soft skills are also important, preparing you for work across different teams and industries.

Hard skills:

  • Programming  
  • Mathematical models 
  • Databases
  • Frameworks
  • Machine learning  
  • Web services
  • Artificial intelligence

Soft skills:

  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Creativity
  • Time management

How long does it take to get a software engineering degree?

If you’re studying alongside your day job, you’ll most likely have to choose a part-time degree. This means it’ll probably take 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree, 2 years for a master’s degree, and 1-2 years for a postgraduate certificate.

Full-time degrees, on the other hand, are normally 3 years for a bachelor’s and just one year for a master’s. While full-time degrees are quicker to complete, it does take a lot more effort and hard work packed into a shorter time frame, so make sure you choose an option that works with your lifestyle and pre-existing commitments.

Entry requirements for a software engineering degree

When it comes to entry requirements, you’ll need to show that you’ve got the aptitude to study software engineering. This means you should have studied subjects like maths, computing, science and statistics at A-level or equivalent. Universities will usually ask that you’ve studied maths at A-level as a prerequisite, at the very least. 

A-levels: ABB

BTEC: DDM

Scottish Highers: AAABB

To get onto most master’s degrees, you’ll need at least a 2:1 in a relevant undergraduate program, such as computer science, maths or software engineering. 

Must-haves 

  • Relevant academic qualifications
  • Aptitude for maths, computing and science
  • Knowledge of programming languages
  • Passionate about software engineering
  • Ability to work independently.

Good-to-haves 

  • Volunteering or work experience in a relevant role
  • Knowledge of software engineering platforms and tools
  • Familiarity with relevant books, podcasts and talks
  • Up-to-date knowledge of current innovations in the field.

How much does a software engineering degree cost?

At undergraduate level, tuition fees are £9,250 per year for most UK students, though degrees are free for Scottish students studying in Scotland, and the tuition is less in Northern Ireland. International students can expect to pay quite a bit more.

The cost is more variable for master’s degrees and other postgraduate qualifications. On average, master’s degrees cost between £12,000 and £25,000, but where exactly it falls on the spectrum will depend on how in-depth the program is and the prestige of the institution. 

Funding options for software engineering degrees

Fortunately, undergraduate degrees (and normally one year of a master’s degree) are covered by Student Finance in the UK. This means that you get a loan to fund your degree, and sometimes also a grant for living costs. 

There are, however, additional routes you can go down when it comes to funding your degree. For example, there might be options for obtaining a scholarship or grant, and your university might even offer financial aid packages. 

Where to look

How to get into a software engineering degree

In the UK, you usually apply for undergraduate degrees via UCAS, choosing five degree options and ranking them in order of which one you’d most like to join. You also normally have to meet the entry requirements stated by your chosen university and write a personal statement detailing your suitability for the degree  — more details on this below.

For master’s programs, you apply directly on the institution’s website, and you’ll need an undergraduate degree in a related field, whether that’s computing, cyber security or something else. 

Personal statement tips

  • Explain why you want to study software engineering. What made you interested in studying software engineering, what skills do you hope to gain, and how do you hope to contribute to society through your expertise?
  • Highlight your vested interest in the field. Talk about any industry blogs, newsletters or online discussions you’ve been a part of to show that you’re curious about the future of software engineering.
  • Be specific. Because there are so many different skills, tools and technologies used within software engineering, it’s good to be really specific about what you can do and what you’re interested in. Which programming languages do you know? Which tools are you familiar with?
  • Highlight your knowledge of the course. It’s also good to be as specific as you can about your reasons for choosing this degree in particular. What about it stood out? Which degree modules are you most excited to study and why?

How will you be assessed on a software engineering degree?

Whether you’re at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you can expect to be assessed using a mixture of projects, portfolio work, exams, coursework, informal tests and the odd oral presentation or group project. 

However, this will depend on your degree program to an extent. When it comes to online degrees, all of your assessments will be online, making it as easy as possible for you to complete your degree from home.

How difficult is a degree in software engineering?

Software engineering isn’t for everyone. You need to be comfortable with mathematically-oriented work, learning new programming languages and working independently. That’s not to say it’s too difficult for most people — what people find difficult varies from person to person, but some people are better suited to working with complex software and IT systems than others. 

If coding comes naturally to you, you may not find this degree difficult, but it’ll still require some hard work. In addition, software engineering degrees become quite specialised once you get to postgraduate level, so you should expect them to be more challenging. 

Job satisfaction and prospects for software engineering graduates

Software engineers have been in high demand for quite some time now, but as the tech world continues to evolve at a rapid pace, this need is only growing. And, software engineers are needing to adapt to the changing scene, particularly to meet the demands of new AI technology, rising security concerns, serverless computers and cloud computing tech.

Revenue from software is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels this year, coming in at nearly $700 billion. Zooming into the UK, there were over 403,165 jobs available in programming and software development last year, and we’re expecting to see a 6.43% growth in jobs over the next eight years.

But what about career satisfaction? Generally, work-life balance is better for software engineers than for other careers in tech, and employees often work for tech companies with great perks such as remote working, flexible hours and generous benefits. 

What can you do with a software engineering degree?

The better question here is, what can’t you do with a software engineering degree? You can pretty much work in any industry you desire, as the need for software engineers is rapidly expanding, and you also have the option to work for some of the biggest tech employers in the world, like Apple, Adobe, Bloomberg and Cisco. 

You could also end up working for a huge manufacturer, finance start-up, or even the government or military — and those are just a few examples. Basically, there are opportunities everywhere.

In terms of actual roles, there are also a lot of options, depending on your specific interests, specialisms, and the contents of your degree program. Take a look at our list below, but remember this isn’t an extensive list. The choice is yours.

  • Software engineer
  • Video game developer
  • Mobile app developer
  • Cyber security engineer
  • Software project manager
  • Full stack engineer
  • Software architect
  • Data analyst
  • Data engineer
  • Machine learning engineer
  • AI engineer
  • Web designer
  • IT project manager.

Salary prospects: How much do software engineering graduates earn?

According to Glassdoor, the average graduate software engineer earns £35,957 per year, which is not bad for an entry-level position. Don’t worry though — this will definitely increase. A non-graduate software engineer earns £46,298 per year on average, and this can be a lot more for professionals working for big companies or in certain industries.

It is worth saying, however, that the UK is slightly lagging behind some other countries when it comes to software engineering salaries, notably the US, Denmark, Canada and Switzerland. But, you’re still in a pretty good position as a UK professional.

However, as you know, there are plenty more jobs in the field other than just software engineer, so we’ll list some more software engineering-related salaries below.

  • Data engineer: £51,973 per year 
  • Video game developer: £41,363 per year
  • Systems analyst: £36,000 per year
  • Machine learning engineer: £64,464 per year.

Why choose a degree in software engineering?

We’ve covered the fact that careers in software engineering are well paid, in demand, and offer plenty of exciting opportunities. But what are the unique reasons you should choose a software engineering degree above all else?

  • Make an impact. Being able to create essential and innovative software is a valuable skill, and can enable you to support businesses, governments and individuals.
  • Tackle skill shortages. The skills you learn on a software engineering degree are highly sought after, so you’ll help the government out at the same time as securing a stable job.
  • Take your pick of careers. There are so many interesting careers and industries you can work in as a software engineer, where you’ll be able to make full use of your new expertise.
  • Network with leading researchers. Who better to learn from than the experts who’ll be leading your degree modules? You may even open doors to future job opportunities.
  • Continuous professional development. In the field of software engineering, and beyond that, computer science, there is always something new to learn, whether that’s a new programming language, piece of research, or technological innovation.
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Get an online software engineering degree with FutureLearn

If you’re ready to develop your software engineering skills and open the doors to new opportunities across the wide spectrum of IT careers, we’ve got some excellent online software engineering degrees by top institutions in the UK. 

Studying for your degree online means you don’t have to put all other commitments on hold, you can study wherever and whenever it suits you, and you may even save money.

Software engineering is actually the perfect subject to study online too, since pretty much everything you study requires you to use the computer and learn digital skills. So why not explore your options on FutureLearn? Take a look at some of our offerings below.

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