Gain experience in the whole software development process and prepare for a career in software engineering.
Gain real-world experience that’s relevant to your future career.
Develop your knowledge of database design and manipulation.
Study major programming languages and various modern frameworks.
Learn to produce high-quality, large-scale web, mobile and desktop applications.
Work on real client software projects

On this course, you’ll learn how to design, implement, and test complex, high-quality and large-scale software applications that can be used in enterprise environments. You’ll develop the skills you’ll need to work as a professional software developer using modern approaches which can be applied to new and emerging technologies.

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to arrange an optional year-long work placement between your second and third years. This gives you real-world experience – preparing you for your future career by immersing yourself in the industry you’ve been learning about. 

Previous students have worked at organisations such as Intel, IBM, 3Squared, SN Systems and CSC Servlec. Students have the opportunity to practise development skills while on placement – from web development to mobile applications to backend software and desktop solutions.

You’ll be supported by placement tutors and a placement team through the process of successfully getting a placement, and while you’re on placement.

Live projects

In your first and second years you’ll work in a group on a real client-based project. You’ll analyse their requirements, then design, implement and test a prototype which you’ll present to your client. This will allow you to experience the types of demands faced by commercial software engineers – as well as increasing your confidence while you’re applying for your work placements.

Students have worked on live projects for clients including Next, XLN, Elanco and Elaros (Digital Health). These have included using augmented reality and 3D technologies, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, cloud services and mobile development. Students have often found placements with the client as a result of the excellent work they’ve done for these live projects.

Networking opportunities

Throughout the course there are numerous opportunities for you to engage with career management, career fairs and workshops, employer presentations, visits and professional advisers.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

 

This course starts by helping you develop strong practical skills in developing software applications through lectures and hands-on tutorial sessions. These sessions will build your understanding of how and when to use appropriate processes, tools, technologies and project management practices.

The combination of teaching methods applied across the course will allow you to develop a range of skills through practical implementation, problem-solving activities, and teamwork, allowing you to take an active approach to learning and encouraging self-development. 

You learn through

• hands-on lab sessions and tutorials
• regular feedback
• teamwork and group-based learning
• practice-based applied learning
• discussions
• self-study

You’ll further develop your skills through real-world projects – where you’ll collaborate in small teams to produce industry-inspired software prototypes and projects. Tackling projects found in industry will help prepare you for a career in software engineering – all within a supportive learning environment.

During your final year, you’ll create a significant software deliverable, guided by a dedicated project supervisor. As part of this individual project, you’ll undertake research and apply new skills to create a software product you can be proud of.

You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. These include

• access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
• access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
• industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities 

This course is designed so you can develop skills in contemporary programming techniques, tools and processes and understand the project management practices used to support and control such projects. Through a combination of theoretical and practical activities, you’ll learn everything you need for a career in software engineering.

You learn through

• lectures and seminars

• practical tutorial sessions

• reading and self-learning activities

• problem solving activities

• practical implementations and teamwork

• assessments, reports and presentations

• demonstrations, discussions and structured walkthroughs

• online activities

• coursework

• practical projects and case studies

• tutorials and workshops

This course prepares you for a career in

• software development
• web-based applications
• mobile app development
• systems and IT support
• project management

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for

• Capita
• Plusnet
• 3Squared
• SkyBet
• Raspberry Pi Foundation 

 

UCAS points

• 112

This must include at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:

• BBC at A Level.
• DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
• A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4
• Maths at grade C or 4

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

The evidence that you provide in your personal statement and references will influence whether your application is successful. So plan what you want to say and take your time completing the application form.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

 

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Databases And System Modelling	20	Coursework
Programming	20	Coursework
Software Projects	60	Coursework
Web Development	20	Coursework

 

 

Year 2 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Introduction To Software Engineering	40	Coursework
Systems Programming	20	Coursework

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 1	20	Coursework
Game Development	20	Coursework
Handling Data In The Cloud	20	Coursework
Mobile Applications Development	20	Coursework
Professional Software Projects	40	Coursework
Study Abroad - Computing And Digital Technologies	60	Coursework

 

Year 3 Optional modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Placement Year

 

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Development Project	40	Coursework Practical
Management Of It Projects	20	Coursework
Software Architecture And Design	40	Coursework

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Contemporary Software Engineering	20	Coursework
Machine Learning Algorithms And Heuristics	20	Coursework
Robotics	20	Coursework
Secure Software Engineering	20	Coursework