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MSc Software Engineering

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, examinations may be replaced by an alternative form of assessment during the academic year 2020/2021. Please refer to the Programme Specification on these pages for further details.

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Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Engineering and Computer Science
Course length	Full Time, 1 Years Full Time, 15 Months Part Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Entry requirements

For admission to this MSc, the normal requirement is a good Honours Degree (or equivalent) in computer science or cognate discipline. The choice of award title students may be accepted on to will be determined by the award applied for and the prior learning of the student as demonstrated by the transcript for existing qualifications held by the applicant.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate sufficient competence in English to benefit from the Programme. This is normally demonstrated by recognised awards equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0. Candidates who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The programme is subject to the University's Principles, Policies and Regulations for the Admission of Students to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes (in UPR SA03), along with associated procedures. These will take account of University policy and guidelines for assessing accredited prior certificated learning (APCL) and accredited prior experiential learning (APEL).

About the course

One of a range of degrees from the taught Master's Programme at the Department of Computer Science

This course examines current research and practice in software engineering. You will develop knowledge and skills in the models, methodologies, measures and tools that can be employed in software development considered as an engineering discipline.

Why choose this course?

This MSc is available with an optional one-year industry placement. The 'with placement' programmes give you additional industrial experience by applying the skills you have learned throughout your studies.

One of a range of advanced courses within our postgraduate Master's programme in Computer Science, this particular course provides you with a specialism combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills in advanced computer science.

This MSc develops graduates’ practical skills of producing models of software engineering processes and artefacts using appropriate modelling techniques, and applying measures to software engineering processes and artefacts and use the data produced to evaluate software engineering activities.
Taught by a highly-regarded and long-established computer science department with strong links to business.

What will I study?

Classes consist of lectures, small group seminars, and practical work in our well-equipped laboratories. We use modern, industry-standard software wherever possible. There are specialist facilities for networking and multimedia and a project laboratory especially for masters students. In addition to scheduled classes, you will be expected a significant amount of time in self-study, taking advantage of the extensive and up-to-date facilities. These include the Learning Resource Centres, open 24x7, with 1,500 computer workstations and wifi access, Studynet our versatile online study environment usable on and off campus, and open access to our labs.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Measures and Models for Software Engineering	30 Credits	Compulsory
In this module advanced issues of software engineering theory and practice are examined. The range of software engineering products and processes making up a software project are measured and modelled. Typical software engineering products explored in the module may include: user requirements, design documents, code etc. Typical software engineering processes explored in the module may include: testing, debugging etc. The aim of the module is to use the modelling and measuring of such products and processes to allow quantified decision-making during software development. The module offers students the opportunity to explore both the state-of-the-art and the-state-of-the-practice in software engineering. The module will examine the most up to date research findings about software engineering as well as investigate the current practices of many software engineering companies. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.
Software Engineering Practice and Experience	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module gives students the opportunity to extend their understanding and experience of software engineering practice. It offers students exposure to the development and evolution of software. The module is very practical and is based around a substantial piece of software. The aim of the module is to enable students to develop software engineering knowledge and skills that are transferable to software companies. The module covers each element of the software engineering process. It explores the use of overarching development approaches such as eXtreme Programing and Component Based Software Engineering. Leading edge practices are introduced such as using program slicing to find code faults. Specialised software development approaches are investigated such as those required for application areas such as safety critical systems. Process models popular with industry, such as one of the SEI models, are also used and evaluated during this module. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.
Software Engineering Masters Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
The project is a showpiece opportunity for students to demonstrate what they know about current research and practices in software engineering and show off their skills in applying software engineering models, methodologies, measures and tools in order to conduct a practical investigation or tackle a particular software engineering problem. The project is a self-directed piece of work, conducted with minimum online supervision that demonstrates the student’s ability to plan and manage a substantial piece of work, and steer their own efforts. Students are expected to be thorough in their work, and, particularly, identify and tackle any difficult or challenging aspects of the problems they are trying to solve. It is not just the quantity, or even the quality of work that is considered when grading the project, but the level of difficulty and the scope of the problem being addressed.

Careers

Our masters programme is designed to give Computer Science graduates the specialist, up-to-date skills and knowledge sought after by employers, whether in business, industry, government or research.

This particular course will prepare you for a career such as a software engineer, developer or project manager.

What job can I get?

Our master's programme is designed to give Computer Science graduates the specialist, up-to-date skills and knowledge sought after by employers, whether in business, industry, government or research.

This MSc develops students’ practical skills of producing models of software engineering processes and artefacts using appropriate modelling techniques, and applying measures to software engineering processes and artefacts and use the data produced to evaluate software engineering activities.

Successful graduates can pursue a career in software engineering as a project manager, software engineer or developer of large-scale systems.

Work placement

This MSc is available with an optional one year industry placement. The 'with placement' programmes give you additional industrial experience by applying the skills you have learned throughout your studies.

This offers you the opportunity to work for one year in a highly professional and stimulating environment. You will be a full time employee in a company earning a salary and will learn new skills that can't be taught at University. During the placement, you will be able to gain further insight into industrial practice that you can take forward into your individual project.

We will provide excellent academic and personal support during both your academic and placement periods together with comprehensive careers guidance from our very experienced dedicated Careers and Placements Service.

Although the responsibility for finding a placement is with you, our Careers and Placements Service maintains a wide variety of employers who offer placement opportunities and organise special training sessions to help you secure a placement, from job application to the interview. Optional one-to-one consultations are also available.

In order to qualify for the placement period you must pass all the first 60 credits of your study in your first attempt.
Fees and funding
Fees 2020
UK/EU Students

Full time
- £8925 for the 2020/2021 academic year
Part time
- £745 per 15 credits for the 2020/2021 academic year
International Students

Full time
- £14500 for the 2020/2021 academic year
Part time
- £1210 per 15 credits for the 2020/2021 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Course fact sheets
MSc Software Engineering	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Computer Science (Modular)	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

International applicants

Apply through our international application portal

Home and EU applicants

Apply using the links below:

2020

Start Date	End Date	Link
29/09/2020	30/09/2021	Apply online (Full Time)
19/01/2021	22/05/2022	Apply online (Full Time)
29/09/2020	18/09/2021	Apply online (Part Time)
19/01/2021	15/01/2022	Apply online (Part Time)

2021

Start Date	End Date	Link
29/09/2021	30/09/2022	Apply online (Full Time)
19/01/2022	22/05/2023	Apply online (Full Time)
29/09/2021	18/09/2022	Apply online (Part Time)
19/01/2022	15/01/2023	Apply online (Part Time)

2022

Start Date	End Date	Link
29/09/2022	30/09/2023	Apply online (Full Time)
19/01/2023	22/05/2024	Apply online (Full Time)
29/09/2022	18/09/2023	Apply online (Part Time)
19/01/2023	15/01/2024	Apply online (Part Time)

Please note that some of the images and videos on our course pages may have been taken before social distancing rules in the UK came into force.

MSc Software Engineering

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Careers

What job can I get?

Fees 2020

UK/EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students