Compulsory modules

Agile Minds: Development and the Professional World
This module introduces you to aspects of professionalism and ethics, communication, teamworking, and writing styles: these are also useful transferable skills in science and engineering more generally. The module provides you with important transitional skills that will be built upon in future modules and subsequent careers. The module provides guidance on enhancing employability skills, and advice on working in teams.
Delivery of the module will include workshop activities providing you with opportunities to work individually or as part of a team, and involvement with careers and the library via guest lectures.

Computational Foundations
This module introduces the core mathematical and algorithmic principles that underpin Computer Science, enabling students to model, analyse, and solve real-world computational problems. Students will learn to work with abstract data structures such as sets, relations, functions, and graphs to represent complex scenarios, apply basic statistical techniques to summarise and interpret data, and develop algorithmic thinking to approach problem-solving systematically. The module also explores the theoretical limits and complexity of computation, helping students understand how these constraints shape practical solutions. Through a combination of abstraction, reasoning, and hands-on problem solving, students will build a solid foundation for further study in algorithms, data science, and computer science.

Problem Solving and Computer Programming
In the first part the module introduces the fundamental concepts underlying computer programming, together with techniques for applying these using Python. The module has a strong practical element. Examples will come from various areas of Computer Science and Data Science. You will gain skills of producing, compiling, and debugging simple programs in Python. These skills will be refined in later modules with applications in various areas of Computer Science.
In the second part this module teaches students modern programming practices in a different paradigm than they study in Introduction to Programming. Professional programming and modelling practices will be studied, and you will be introduced to the Java programming language, expanding your suite of practical skills. You will learn more about testing strategies of computer programs, and intermediate Java programming syntax.

Fundamentals of Computer Systems
You will learn fundamental concepts of computer hardware and software and achieve a foundation for other computer science modules. You will obtain an overview of computer systems, bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications and gain an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of modern IT. You will see logic design for core hardware components, the architecture of operating systems, essential features of programming languages, a selection of computing applications, hardware design, operating systems, and computational principles like parallelism and caching.

Introduction to Cybercrime: Systems, Society, and Security
This module will enable students to actively engage in the digital environment/e-society with an understanding of the risks that they will encounter and the measures that may be taken to counteract them, as well as help students to acquire a firm understanding of the technologies that underpin today's digital information society.

Compulsory modules

Web Technologies and Databases
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to web technologies and databases, equipping students with the practical and analytical skills to design, develop, secure, and deploy modern web applications with robust data-driven backends. Upon completion, students will be able to apply industry-standard tools and best practices in contemporary web and database development.

Human-Centred Software Engineering
This module integrates principles and practices from software engineering and human-computer interaction (HCI) to provide a comprehensive exploration of the processes involved in designing, developing, and evaluating interactive software systems. Students will work both individually and in teams to apply agile software development methodologies alongside user-centred design techniques, ensuring that technical functionality and usability requirements are addressed throughout the development lifecycle.

The module introduces key concepts in requirements analysis, system design, implementation, and evaluation, with a particular emphasis on user needs, accessibility, and ethical considerations. By combining technical and human-centred approaches, the module prepares students with the skills and knowledge required to deliver effective, usable, and sustainable software solutions in professional contexts.

Cloud and Distributed Computing
This module introduces cloud technologies and distributed computing, focusing on both principles and practical applications. You will explore big data technologies like Hadoop and NoSQL databases and gain hands-on experience with cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services. You will also develop skills in digital communication principles, as well as cloud and network security and compliance.

Optional modules

Flexible Work Placement (Level 5)
In a competitive job market, practical skills and understanding workplace dynamics are crucial. This module allows you to gain hands-on experience, enhancing your employability, and the opportunity to gain valuable professional insights via a 75-hour placement.

You will be supported by various activities to secure a role and can source your own placement or apply to university-sourced roles. This module offers flexibility on when and how you complete your placement, enabling you to balance your placement around existing demands.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
This module will provide students with an introduction to artificial intelligence. Topics will including neural networks, deep learning, evolutionary algorithms and neuroevolution. The focus will initially be on understanding the underlying principles, structures, algorithms and capabilities of AI systems, and then on writing programs that use appropriate machine learning software libraries to pre-process data and apply AI to tasks such as text analysis, data analytics and visualisation, computer vision, image processing and pattern recognition.

Selected Topics in Software Engineering
An opportunity to pursue a personal interest in Software Engineering, learning and applying programming and technical skills that complement and extend those taught within the curriculum, under guidance from a staff member.

Computer Graphics and Animation
This module provides students with an introduction to computer graphics and animation; and with appropriate programming and media development skills to design and develop animated media. These topics are investigated through lectures, practicals and independent study. The module provides skills relevant to 2D and 3D computer graphics, and animation that have relevance to careers in animation, games and digital media production.

Compulsory modules

Research and Development Project in Software Engineering
This module enables students to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills to a relatively large or complex technical, software, programming, research or business problem within the Software Engineering discipline.

Software Engineering Practice
This module provides a deeper understanding of object-oriented programming and the concept of concurrent programming, using Java as a working language. You will learn more advanced design patterns which can be applied in a range of real-world application areas. You will gain a comprehensive foundation in software development management and its associated processes. This will cover the skills needed to manage software products and their quality and explore Test-Driven development. You will be able to apply software testing and planning to real-world scenarios and systems and gain familiarity with industry-relevant skills.

Engineering the Future: AI & Emergent Practice
Engineering the Future: AI & Emergent Practice explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the way software is designed, built, and maintained. You’ll experiment with modern AI development tools, learn how to combine human creativity with intelligent automation, and critically assess the opportunities and risks shaping the future of engineering work. Through hands-on projects and future-focused design activities, you’ll develop the skills to work confidently with AI-assisted workflows and propose responsible, innovative engineering approaches. This module prepares you for the rapidly evolving software landscape and helps you become a forward-thinking, adaptable computing professional.

Optional modules

Flexible Work Placement (Level 6)
In a competitive job market, practical skills and understanding workplace dynamics are crucial. This module allows you to gain hands-on experience, enhancing your employability, and the opportunity to gain valuable professional insights via a 75-hour placement.

You will be supported by various activities to secure a role and can source your own placement or apply to university-sourced roles. This module offers flexibility on when and how you complete your placement, enabling you to balance your placement around existing demands.

Professional Experience in Education
This module gives students interested in pursuing teaching or training as a career the opportunity to gain experience in the world of teaching in schools, colleges and other educational settings.

You will develop skills highly valued by employers such as communication, and interpersonal skills, whilst learning to address individual needs and developing engaging teaching materials.

You will be supported via a range of activities to prepare for your placement and have the choice to source your own placement or apply to university sourced roles.

Advanced Web Development and Databases
This module provides an advanced understanding of database techniques and the contemporary issues involved in deploying modern database systems. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop secure, distributed, multi-tier web applications using current and emerging technologies. Designed with industry relevance in mind, the module focuses on practical competencies that prepare students for professional web development and database-driven application design.

Cybersecurity and Applications
Cybersecurity sits at the heart of today’s interconnected world, where every organisation faces complex and evolving digital threats. This module gives you the knowledge, practical skills, and professional insight needed to meet those challenges with confidence. You will explore the legal, organisational, human, and technical aspects of security, gain experience with modern tools and techniques, and develop critical thinking, communication, and reflective skills valued by employers across the sector.

Research and Communication in Software Engineering
Independently investigate an advanced topic in Software Engineering, applying programming and technical skills to design and implement a solution or demonstration that extends knowledge beyond the taught curriculum, under academic supervision.

Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Data Ethics
This module will expand on the range of artificial intelligence themes introduced earlier in the degree. It will allow students to explore in greater depth, selected research-led topics at the forefront of current thinking in the rapidly evolving field of AI. The module will also provide students with insights and understanding of fundamental issues relevant to data ethics, security and AI governance. Students will acquire practical data science and machine learning skills such as dataset analysis, anonymisation and fairness testing. Students who successfully complete this module can potentially pursue further research in industry or in education (e.g. as MSc or PhD students), or careers involving data protection and AI governance.