Software Engineering

Software engineering is the disciplined application of engineering principles to the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software systems. Unlike computer science, which is often primarily concerned with the theoretical foundations of computation, software engineering focuses on the processes, methods, and tools needed to build software that is reliable, maintainable, and fit for purpose in real-world contexts. It encompasses requirements analysis, system design, programming, testing, project management, and the long-term evolution of software systems as needs change and understanding deepens.

At Edinburgh Napier University you will study this programme part time, with a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a placement all incorporated into the degree. The part-time format makes the programme accessible for students who are working alongside their studies, which is common in the software industry where many practitioners are already employed and want to formalise or extend their skills while continuing to work. The sandwich year and placement provide additional professional experience, and the year abroad gives you exposure to software development cultures and practices in a different national context.

Across the programme you will study software design and architecture, object-oriented and functional programming, testing and quality assurance, agile and other development methodologies, requirements engineering, database systems, and the management of software projects.

Software engineering graduates are in sustained high demand across every sector that uses technology, which is now essentially every sector. Roles include software developer, software architect, systems analyst, test engineer, DevOps engineer, technical project manager, and product owner. The professional experience embedded in this degree through the sandwich year and placement makes graduates particularly attractive to employers.

Further study in software engineering, computer science, or a specialist area such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, or artificial intelligence is a route taken by those seeking to specialise or move into research.