Software Engineering (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
On this one-year programme students will undertake practical development using current leading edge commercial tools and techniques and be exposed to direct industrial involvement in a dynamic commercial-like environment.
Industry-focused experience
Directly engage with industry through case studies, team projects, networking events and guest presentations.
Professional accreditation
Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
Based in the National Software Academy
You'll get experience of direct industrial involvement in a dynamic start-up atmosphere.
The MSc Software Engineering is designed for graduates from diverse backgrounds who have some prior experience of programming to gain the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience to be effective as a commercial software engineer.
On this one-year programme based at the National Software Academy, students will undertake practical development using current leading edge commercial tools and techniques and be exposed to direct industrial involvement in a dynamic commercial-like environment.
The course covers a wide range of topics that are sought after by employers including programming for web applications using languages such as Python, HTML and Javascript, Databases, DevOps and emerging technologies. Throughout the degree there is a focus on team working and the techniques of Agile project management. The programme concludes by working with a real client from industry on an exciting, team-based project that brings together all your knowledge and skills acquired during the degree.
This one year programme welcomes students with a background in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects as well as other disciplines and students are expected to have some basic prior programming knowledge.
After graduating from this programme you will be ideally placed for employment in a career within software engineering or the wider technology industry.
Accreditations
Where you'll study
School of Computer Science and Informatics
Our degree programmes are shaped by multidisciplinary research, making them relevant to today's employers and well placed to take advantage of tomorrow's developments.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject area, such as engineering, mathematics, science, or technology or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- Evidence that you have programming experience. This can either be achieved during your degree (supply transcripts) or professional experience evidenced by a signed and dated employer reference.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
You will need to provide your own laptop. Information regarding the particular laptop specification required will be provided in advance of enrolment. You will be provided with access to all required software at no additional cost.
Various support schemes are available to ensure all our students have access to the necessary equipment, subject to eligibility.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
As a student at the National Software Academy you will get many opportunities to meet and work with companies and build your industrial contacts. Skilled software engineers are in extremely high demand. This means the employment prospects for graduates in the computing and ICT industry are excellent. On successful completion of the course, you will be equipped with transferable skills that open doors to careers in many sectors.
Recent statistics show that the vast majority of our graduates are following their chosen career paths in roles such as Software Engineer, Web Developer, Computer Programmer, Associate Software Developer, Business Analyst and Systems Development Officer. They go on to work for a companies including Airbus Group, Amazon, BBC, BT, Capgemini, Confused.com, GCHQ, IBM, Lloyds Banking Group, MoD, Morgan Stanley, Sky, South Wales Police and Thomson Reuters. Others have chosen further study or research at Cardiff or other top universities.
In addition to the University’s Careers and Employability Service for students, the School has a Careers Officer and a dedicated Placement Officer.
Next steps
Open Day visits
Register for information about our upcoming dates.Make an enquiry
Contact us for more information about this course.International
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.