MSci Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience)
About this course
MSci Hons in Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience), a software engineering degree centred on practical computing systems, design studio projects, and industry alignment. Core topics include Programming, Systems Design, Computer Architecture, Embedded Systems, Control Systems, Data Analysis, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Research Methods, Project Management, Engineering Design, Ethics & Professional Practice, Entrepreneurship, Human Behaviour, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Design & Creative Practice. Students undertake a substantial individual project in their final year and complete a 10-week industry placement. The first year establishes foundational computing concepts through compulsory modules such as Designing Software Systems, Digital Systems, Fundamentals of Computer Science, and Software Development, alongside optional choices like Matrices and Calculus and Probability and Statistics. Year 2 advances technical knowledge with core studies including HCI: Designing for People, Networks and Systems, Secure Data and Systems, and Software Engineering Studio I, complemented by optional topics such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering. Year 3 centres on collaborative system building via Software Engineering Studio II and Software Engineering Studio III, with further options covering areas like Embedded Systems, Machine Learning, and Quantum Computing. The final year concludes with the Fourth Year Individual Project, Research Methods & Innovation, a 10-week placement, and optional modules including Engineering and Verifying Secure Distributed Systems.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA. Though not an essential subject entry requirement, applicants with A level Computing, Computer Science or Mathematics will be considered for a lower offer. IB: 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects. Though not an essential subject entry requirement, applicants with HL Mathematics or Computer Science will be considered for a lower offer.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 78%: 39 offers from 50 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 82%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 75%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 80%
- Find their work meaningful: 50%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 100%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 125 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 51%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 11%
- South East: 3%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Designing Software Systems
- Digital Systems
- Fundamentals of Computer Science
- Software Development
- Contemporary Topics in Computing
- DevOps
- Matrices and Calculus
- Probability and Statistics
- HCI: Designing for People
- Networks and Systems
- Secure Data and Systems
- Software Engineering Studio I
- Artificial Intelligence
- Concurrent and Parallel Systems
- Extended Reality
- Internet Applications
- Algorithms
- Applied Security Methods
- Data Engineering
- Sustainable Computing
- Operating Systems
- Software Engineering Studio II
- Software Engineering Studio III
- Advanced Networking
- Advanced Programming
- Computer Science Education
- Computer Vision
- Digital Health
- Distributed Systems
- Embedded Systems
- Languages and Compilation
- Machine Learning
- Natural Language Processing
- Quantum Computing
- Secure Artificial Intelligence
- Secure Cyber Physical Systems
- Secure Distributed Systems
- Fourth Year Individual Project
- Placement
- Research Methods & Innovation
- Engineering and Verifying Secure Distributed Systems
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £32,500 after 15 months, £34,500 after 3 years, £45,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £33,500 and £63,000. The £45,500 median after five years is £9,500 more than the UK median for Software engineering.
What do graduates of MSci Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) at Lancaster University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) at Lancaster University?
82% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 156 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MSci Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) at Lancaster University?
78% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 39 offers from 50 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is MSci Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) at Lancaster University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
How many students continue on MSci Software Engineering (with Industrial Experience) at Lancaster University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.