Kingston University

MSc in Software Engineering

You will study state-of-the-art concepts in software engineering and focus on the fundamental concepts and principles of systems analysis, design, implementation and testing. The course concentrates on cost-effective development of high-quality software. You will have an opportunity to improve your practical skills so that you can plan and conduct complex systems development projects to meet customer needs and integrate software solutions into an evolving business environment.

The Software Engineering course can be combined with Management Studies, enabling you to set your technical knowledge in a management context, ready to work effectively with business managers to develop systems for business advantage. An understanding of the business and management context is a key skill employers look for. It is essential for those aiming to set up their own business.

The full MSc course consists of an induction programme, four taught modules, and project dissertation.

For a student to go on placement, they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.

Please note: optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

Work placement scheme

Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University enable students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. Although the University supports students in finding a placement and organises events to meet potential employers, the responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. You may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare and apply yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.

Software Engineering MSc modules

Core modules

• Agile Project Development
• Software Architectures and Programming Models
• Project Dissertation
• Software Quality Engineering

Optional modules

• Applied Data Programming
• Beyond Optimising Interaction

Teaching and assessment

Guided independent study (self-managed time)
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.

Your workload
Year 1 Core pathway
15% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity.

• Scheduled teaching and learning: 224 hours
• Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1,276 hours

Year 1 Management pathway

16% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity.

• Scheduled teaching and learning: 284 hours
• Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1,516 hours

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.

How you will be assessed
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

Core pathway:

• Year 1: Coursework 99%; practical 1%

Management pathway:

• Year 1: Coursework 95%; practical 5%

(repeat for each year, if part time)

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.

Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Class sizes
­You will be part of an intimate cohort of 20-40 students which provides dedicated academic guidance and advice as well as the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes; you may therefore be taught alongside postgraduates from other courses.

Graduates from this course go on to work for organisations such as:

• IBM
• Hewlett Packard
• Capgemini
• JDA Software
• Ernst & Young
• Marks & Spencer
• Waitrose
• Virgin Media
• Sky
• the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement

Accreditation

The British Computer Society (BCS) accredits this course. This means that you can gain some exemption against BCS professional examinations, leading to Chartered membership and CEng, IEng or CSci status. For full details of exemption and accreditation levels, please check the BCS course search.

Please note: the programme delivered at our partner institution overseas is not currently accredited by the BCS.

The Faculty is a long-time member of BCS. For many years we have hosted meetings of the local BCS Kingston and Croydon Branch, contributing to members' continuing professional development programmes.

Links with business and industry

We work with a variety of employers such as hospitals, community health care, NHS foundation trusts, academic publishers, and pharmaceutical companies. Many of which also offer professional experience opportunities for the students on this course.

To ensure your studies are kept up to date and answer the needs of business, our courses are created and reviewed in consultation with an advisory board of key industry experts and senior academics. The Board also provides input and advice on our research portfolio.

With members from Google, Microsoft, EasyJet, games developer Colossal and Chief Information Officers from local government - our Advisory Board represents the diverse spectrum of industries and public sector organisations that make up the jobs market for our graduates.