Computer Science (Software Engineering) Plus Industrial Year

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this MSc is a second class honours in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related subject. This should include programming in a language like Java, C or C++. Sometimes it may be possible to substitute industrial experience (supplemented by preliminary study) for these academic qualifications.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Department of Computer Science at Aberystwyth has a strong research focus on techniques and applications of intelligent systems, working with many major companies. Our taught Masters degrees draw on this focus, and link to the expertise and interests of the Department. They are designed to meet the needs of both students wanting a foundation for a career in research, and those wanting to expand on their skills to accelerate their industrial career.

This degree is ideal for anyone with a first degree in any Computing subject who wishes to accelerate their career as a software engineer. It broadens your experience of the tools, methods and techniques used by professional software engineers, and focuses on the application of advanced software engineering, preparing you for responsible positions in the software industry.

It is available as a one year intensive course, or as a two year course, where the student spends a year gaining valuable experience in the software industry after the taught part of the degree, and can apply that experience to their final dissertation project. Please note that the industrial year placement is available on a competitive basis.

The degree is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP). This course also partially meets the Engineering Council's academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

This degree is available in a two year form, where the student spends a year working in industry after the taught part of the course.
Students study at Aberystwyth University from September to May, and are supported in applying for suitable jobs in the software industry. They work in the UK from June to the following May. They return to Aberystwyth to complete their dissertation from June to September

The work in industry is paid employment, not just work experience. Typical annual salaries for an industrial year are between £11,000 and £15,000.

Students wishing to do the industrial year are assisted in finding a place in industry. There is assistance with preparing an appropriate CV, training in what to expect at an interview, and practice in being interviewed by experienced industry interviewers. The Department of Computer Science sends about 70 students each year for a year's experience in industry, and has many contacts in companies happy to take good Aberystwyth students.

As these are paid jobs for companies, we cannot guarantee any student a job - the companies select the employees they want. Students that are unable to find a job can complete the Masters degree without an industrial year.

There is an additional but much reduced fee for the year in industry (presently £800 for the year), and members of staff stay in touch electronically and by visiting students during the year.

Information for international students

Please see our website for more information.

Fees and funding

Please check our website for more information.

Assessment