BSc (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year

Why study this subject?

Do you love the idea of creating valuable new applications and software? This BSc (Hons) Software Engineering degree is perfect for you if you have an analytical approach to solving problems. Across the world businesses and organisations rely on complex computer-based systems, and there is an ever-increasing demand for people with the skills to update, maintain and enhance the software. It is essential for qualified professionals to be available to keep national and international economies running. This programme has been carefully designed by our industry expert academics and professional bodies to provide you with the skills and abilities needed to thrive in the fast-moving software industry.

This programme offers you the opportunity to gain a broader understanding and expertise in a range of areas, from management and costing to project delivery. Gaining a solid grounding in these skills is crucial in ensuring that you graduate as a well-rounded and efficient software engineer with the ability to approach projects in the most insightful and productive way.

We are a student focused and employer-led university which means that you are at the forefront of all that we do. We provide you with a thorough understanding of software engineering to ensure you graduate ready for employment or further postgraduate study. Recent graduates have gone into industry roles including software development, web design, information systems management and games development.

This was my best experience of education in my whole academic career. The classes were very interactive and helpful. The learning experience was excellent.

I would like to commend the efforts of the staff and lecturers who give more than 100 % in helping a student. Thanks to the course I learned and explored the horizons of technology and beyond. Without the experience I would not have had the self-confidence and knowledge that has led me to proceed in my professional career.

Nick Rose

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Buckinghamshire New University is invested in you and your future. We work hard to ensure that our courses are designed with you and industry in mind, so that you can graduate confident that you can make competitive job applications post-university. We know that the industry is constantly changing and rapidly evolving, which is why we are committed to implementing new and improved technologies in our topics, teaching and facilities.

Our programme is a part of our strong computing school, this means that we are a team of expert lecturers who have vast experience of working in their respective fields. This exciting course allows you to explore the diversity of modern software engineering, gaining the integral skills required for today’s industry workplace. We do not just teach in the classroom; you will increase your knowledge through involvement on real-life projects and gain hands-on experience of working either individually or in a software development team.

What facilities can I use?  

BNU has invested in our facilities to ensure that you can learn on industry standard systems and software, meaning that you can make an easy transition from education into employment. Quite simply we are committed to making sure we provide you with the best learning experience possible.

We make sure we keep the University’s computing facilities well maintained and equipped. We have a range of large labs, most filled with dual-screen, dual boot (Windows and Linux) systems. Latest industry standard software is also included on devices to allow you to develop your skills to what is needed in the workplace.

Labs have been custom built to provide the best spaces to nurture the specific skills needed for game and internet development. These allow you to build your skills within key areas of future employment.

Hands-on experience is what we are all about. We have numerous devices that will provide the basis for various supervised projects you will carry out across the programme. These include but are not limited to Virtual Reality headsets, 3D printers, Raspberry Pi microcomputers, EEG headsets.

Furthermore, we provide online facilities to enhance your independent learning, via our Virtual Learning Environment. This will provide you with access to additional material and collaborative learning tools 24/7. And our virtual server technology will allow you to use our operating systems remotely.

What will I study?

During your foundation year you will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of computing and study topic areas like, computing essentials, self-development, responsibility, digital media and inquiry-based learning to provide you with a solid basis for your study of software engineering.

You will acquire skills in programming, building secure web and mobile applications and work on team-based software projects; whilst exploiting an agile development approach. You’ll learn how to develop highly dependable and reliable systems, within an object-oriented design approach, using a number of industry standard approaches, such as UML. In addition, you will gain an understanding of the process involved in managing the development of large-scale software projects. Furthermore, specialist modules allow you to further explore the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Media Programming, Real-time Systems, Cloud Computing and Security.

Not only will you be learning vital information, you will be learning from innovative, forward-thinking and highly motivated expert lecturers. Our lecturers have close industrial links and all work together to ensure that you have the best possible enriched and stimulating learning environment. To further enhance your education, we invite in guest lectures to share their experience and expertise and host day-long interactive events run by leaders in their field giving you the chance to put your knowledge into action.

From your first day, you will be studying topics including:

• Application Programming
• Digital Technologies and Professional Practice
• Networking
• User Experience (UX)
• Database Design
• Mobile Apps
• Real-time Systems (Team Project)
• Advanced Programming
• Data Structures and Algorithms

As you begin to think about life after university and look for employment after graduation we are here to help. We encourage our students to make the most of opportunities that are available during their course, such as guest lectures and internships as these can provide invaluable industry experience and contacts. We also have a brilliant and dedicated Careers and Employment team at BNU who are always on hand to support with application, interview and presentation skills.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

At Buckinghamshire New University we like to foster an interactive and student-focused teaching style where we have a combination of formal lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions, seminars and guest speakers to enhance the learning experience.

We like to design our course to reflect the workplace so you will have the opportunity to carry out independent study, supported through distance learning technologies such as Blackboard, our Virtual Learning Environment. We will also provide reading lists and suggested resources to enhance independent study.

You are more than a number at BNU, and we are here to support you through your education journey. We have in place regular contact hours with our tutors and provide you with informal feedback throughout the programme of study.

Over the years of your course you will be assessed and graded in a multitude of ways to allow you to develop and expand on your abilities and skills. Assessments for the various modules will mostly take the form of practical coursework, lab test and written exams. However, the main focus being on testing the practical application of the various concepts and techniques being conveyed.

Placements Plus

BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.