Software Engineering

Program Overview

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Software Engineering (MSc)

Award: Master of Science

Typical Offer: 2:1 degree

Duration: 1 year

Course Type: Full-time

Campus: Highfield

Next course starts: September 2025

About this course

On this master’s in software engineering, you’ll explore both traditional and contemporary approaches to software development.

MSc Software Engineering is designed for you to learn the topics you’re most interested in. You’ll select from a range of subject areas like cloud and mobile applications, security and user experience to study in depth.

MSc Software Engineering will develop your skills in traditional and contemporary software development. Our recognised software engineering master's will teach you formal methods and object-oriented programming. You’ll have the opportunity to enhance your skills in software modelling, design, development, and testing.

This master’s in software engineering offers taught modules in specialist subjects such as:

• cloud and mobile applications
• critical systems
• data mining
• e-business
• intelligent agents
• model checking
• security
• user experience

The University of Southampton has pioneered many of the most important advances in computer science and web technology of the past 10 years. We are also a partner of The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.

Studying here, you’ll become a master of software engineering, learn from expert academics and access excellent computer labs. The University of Southampton is recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by the UK Government. Our academics have played a leading role in establishing a European Data Science Academy.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

This course is lead by Dr Corina Cirstea. Dr Cirstea’s research interests are in logic and models of computation, more specifically in coalgebras and their connection to logic and verification.

Accreditations

• British Computer Society (BCS)

Entry requirements

You’ll need an upper 2:1 degree (with a mark of 65% or above) in:

• computer science
• computer engineering
• software engineering
• media technology
• e-Business
• information technology

You must also have a good 2:1 (65%) score in the following:

• 1 programming module (Java, C++, C#, object-oriented, Python)
• 1 advanced mathematics module; ideally discrete maths including logic and set theory
• 3 computer science modules, such as: software architecture or design, data structures, databases, network, artificial intelligence, machine learning or web. Knowledge of functional programming (Haskell, Scala, F#) and modelling language such as UML

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Information for students who have studied in China

This programme only accepts applicants who have studied at an X1, X2, X3 or X4 institution.

View acceptable grades from Chinese universities.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Course structure

On this full-time MSc software development master’s course, you’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you'll study the taught part of your course.

This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from. Selecting your modules will allow you to explore the subject areas you are most interested in and will support your next career steps.

During semester 2 you’ll begin preparing for your dissertation.

For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Automated Software Verification
• MSc Project and Dissertation
• Research Methods and Project Preparation
• Software Modelling Tools and Techniques for Critical Systems
• Software Project Management and Secure Development

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Advanced Databases
• Advanced Programming Language Concepts
• Algorithmic Game Theory
• Cryptography
• Data Economy
• Knowledge Graphs for AI Systems
• Mobile Applications Development
• Software Security
• Web and Cloud Applications Development

Learning and assessment

Learning

You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, small group teaching, practical work and independent assignments.

As part of your study, you’ll undertake an individual project associated with a research group after you complete the taught part of semester 2.

Practical work will include advanced software development tools, directed reading and coursework.

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

• written exams
• coursework
• problem solving exercises
• lab reports with literature review
• design exercises
• a dissertation
• individual and group projects

Dissertation

The 10,000 word project dissertation is focused on assessing software research and development skills.

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Self-management
• Confidence
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Networking
• Adaptability
• Problem solving
• Resilience

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Manufacturing
• Scientific and Technical
• Water and Waste Management
• Education
• Public Administration
• Defence
• Finance

Careers directly related to this course:

• Software engineer
• Game developer
• Applications engineer
• Software project manager
• Full stack engineer
• Software test engineer
• Security Engineer
• UX designer

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Cyber security analyst
• Project manager
• Security analyst
• Secondary school teacher
• Data analyst
• Financial analyst
• Consultant

See more

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Software Engineering graduates*:

• Software engineer
• Software developer
• Data analyst
• Site reliability engineer
• Software analyst
• Software development engineer
• Technology consultant

See more

Job prospects for MSc Software Engineering graduates

• Average professional salary: £50k
• In a skilled profession or further study: 92%
• Graduate employment rate: 95%

Source

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £33,900.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Electronics and Computer Science Commonwealth Scholarship

There are 20 Electronics and Computer Science scholarships of £3,000 each available for 10 undergraduate and 10 postgraduate new international students from Commonwealth countries.

Find out more about the Southampton Electronics and Computer Science Commonwealth Scholarship, including eligibility, and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

Program Outline

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Careers:

Some of our graduates go on to work in software engineering research or advanced software development projects in development and consultancy roles across the world. You’ll select from a range of subject areas like cloud and mobile applications, security and user experience to study in depth. MSc Software Engineering will develop your skills in traditional and contemporary software development. Our recognised software engineering master's will teach you formal methods and object-oriented programming. You’ll have the opportunity to enhance your skills in software modelling, design, development, and testing. This master’s in software engineering offers taught modules in specialist subjects such as: cloud and mobile applications critical systems data mining e-business intelligent agents model checking security user experience The University of Southampton has pioneered many of the most important advances in computer science and web technology of the past 10 years. We are also a partner of The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. Our academics have played a leading role in establishing a European Data Science Academy.