Software Engineering
Software engineering is the discipline concerned with building reliable, scalable and maintainable software systems, and it sits at the foundation of virtually every digital product and service in the modern world. Unlike computer science in its most theoretical form, software engineering keeps one eye firmly on practice: on the processes, tools, methodologies and professional skills needed to develop software that works correctly at scale, is delivered on time and budget, and can be maintained and extended over time. As the demand for software continues to grow across every sector of the economy, graduates with this kind of rigorous technical training are in sustained and increasing demand.
At the University of Chester this programme includes a foundation year, designed for students who do not yet have the formal academic qualifications required for direct entry to the first year of the degree but who have the ability and commitment to succeed. The foundation year builds the mathematical and technical foundations needed before you progress into the full software engineering curriculum, where you will study programming, software design, algorithms, systems architecture, testing, project management and the professional practices that govern how software is built in teams. The four-year full-time structure gives you a thorough grounding across all dimensions of the discipline.
Software engineering graduates find work in virtually every sector of the economy. Roles include software developer, systems architect, DevOps and infrastructure engineer, quality assurance engineer, technical project manager, and consultant. Technology companies, banks and financial services firms, the NHS and other public bodies, defence, media, retail, and start-ups all employ software engineers in significant numbers.
The profession offers strong graduate salaries and good long-term career prospects, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as cloud computing, mobile development, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence. Postgraduate study in software engineering, computer science, or related fields is an option for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or move into research.