MSc Software Engineering

On this one-year programme based at the National Software Academy in Newport, students will undertake practical development using current leading edge commercial tools and techniques and be exposed to direct industrial involvement in a dynamic commercial-like environment.

The MSc Software Engineering is designed for graduates from diverse backgrounds who have some prior experience of programming to gain the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience to be effective as a commercial software engineer.

On this one-year programme based at the National Software Academy in Newport, students will undertake practical development using current leading edge commercial tools and techniques and be exposed to direct industrial involvement in a dynamic commercial-like environment.

The course covers a wide range of topics that are sought after by employers including programming for web applications using languages such as Python, HTML and Javascript, Databases, DevOps and emerging technologies. Throughout the degree there is a focus on team working and the techniques of Agile project management. The programme concludes by working with a real client from industry on an exciting, team-based project that brings together all your knowledge and skills acquired during the degree.

This one year programme welcomes students with a background in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects as well as other disciplines and students are expected to have some basic prior programming knowledge.
Career prospects - As a student at the National Software Academy you will get many opportunities to meet and work with companies and build your industrial contacts. Skilled software engineers are in extremely high demand. This means the employment prospects for graduates in the computing and ICT industry are excellent. On successful completion of the course, you will be equipped with transferable skills that open doors to careers in many sectors. Recent statistics show that the vast majority of our graduates are following their chosen career paths in roles such as Software Engineer, Web Developer, Computer Programmer, Associate Software Developer, Business Analyst and Systems Development Officer. They go on to work for a companies including Airbus Group, Amazon, BBC, BT, Capgemini, Confused.com, GCHQ, IBM, Lloyds Banking Group, MoD, Morgan Stanley, Sky, South Wales Police and Thomson Reuters. Others have chosen further study or research at Cardiff or other top universities. In addition to the University's Careers and Employability Service for students, the School has a Careers Officer and a dedicated Placement Officer.

This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path. No prior knowledge or degree in the subject is required.

Academic requirements:

Typically, you will need to have either:

a 2:2 honours degree in a STEM subject with evidence of programming in degree transcript
a 2:2 honours degree in a non-STEM subject with evidence of suitable professional programming experience
or an equivalent international degree.
You may be invited for interview if you have gained a 2:2 degree in a non-STEM subject and have evidence of suitable non-professional programming experience.

English Language requirements:

IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or an accepted equivalent.
TOEFL (iBT) - At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking
International Baccalaureate Language A- HL 4 or SL 5