Software Engineering / with Management Studies MSc
- Engineering, electronics and robotics
- Computing and information systems
- Postgraduate
Gain the skills you need to kickstart your career with the Software Engineering / with Management Studies MSc, accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).
This course has the option to combine your course with Management Studies. Whichever route you choose, you will be taught by industry experts and experience a stimulating balance of lectures, practical lab work, group working, case studies and presentations.
Examine all stages of the software development lifecycle at an advanced level
This course will equip you with an advanced knowledge of the latest methods and tools for software engineering.
At our Penrhyn Road campus, you will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:
- dedicated postgraduate computing laboratories, fully-equipped with fold-flat LCD screens, data-projection systems and high-spec processors
- the learning resources centre, offering subject libraries, online database subscriptions and resource materials
- a postgraduate teaching suite
- the dedicated Graduate Centre on campus, providing seminar rooms and social spaces
Our dedicated team of IT technicians support our labs and are always on-hand to provide assistance.
Plus, Kingston is just a 30-minute train journey from central London, where you can access a wealth of additional libraries and archives. These include the British Library and the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Deciding to study my MSc at Kingston was probably one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. After three years' study at Kingston for my Software Engineering BSc degree, I was very much aware of Kingston's reputation for quality of teaching, course content and the good relationship between students and staff.
Why choose this course
Some of the most challenging problems in industry and commerce are associated with software development. Throughout this course, you will study software project management and business processes, software architecture and design aspects, implementation and software construction, testing and quality assurance.
You will also acquire the practical skills for planning and implementing systems development projects. These projects will meet customer needs and integrate software solutions into the business environment.
The taught modules on this course aim to prepare you for the job market and gain skills in:
- problem solving and organisation
- data collation, review and synopsis
- communication (oral, written and electronic)
- time management
- cooperation and teamwork
You can choose one of two pathways on this course: Software Engineering MSc or Software Engineering with Management Studies MSc. If you choose to follow the core pathway, you will gain an in-depth understanding of strategies and architectures for designing and developing modern high-quality software applications. Via the management pathway, you will develop the skills to successfully lead teams and manage innovation.
On either pathway, you will pursue a dissertation project and explore an area of interest in depth. This can offer valuable industry experience and help you develop research skills. As the project you pursue is usually relevant to your career, it can provide an excellent selling point when you are looking for a job or promotion.
Accreditation
The British Computer Society (BCS) accredits this course. This means that you can gain some exemption against BCS professional examinations, leading to Chartered membership and CEng, IEng or CSci status.
Please note: the programme delivered at our partner institution overseas is not currently accredited by the BCS.
Course content
You will study state-of-the-art concepts in software engineering and focus on the fundamental concepts and principles of systems analysis, design, implementation and testing. The course concentrates on cost-effective development of high-quality software. You will have an opportunity to improve your practical skills so that you can plan and conduct complex systems development projects to meet customer needs and integrate software solutions into an evolving business environment.
The Software Engineering course can be combined with Management Studies, enabling you to set your technical knowledge in a management context, ready to work effectively with business managers to develop systems for business advantage. An understanding of the business and management context is a key skill employers look for. It is essential for those aiming to set up their own business.
The full MSc course consists of an induction programme, four taught modules, and project dissertation.
For a student to go on placement, they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Please note: optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Work placement scheme
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University enable students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. Although the University supports students in finding a placement and organises events to meet potential employers, the responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. You may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare and apply yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Software Engineering MSc modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Software Engineering with Management Studies MSc modules
Core modules
Professional placement
Professional placement
Career opportunities
Graduates from this course go on to work for organisations such as:
- IBM
- Hewlett Packard
- Capgemini
- JDA Software
- Ernst & Young
- Marks & Spencer
- Waitrose
- Virgin Media
- Sky
- the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement
Teaching and assessment
Fees and funding
Fees for future course years
Part time
If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.
If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Software Engineering / with Management Studies MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
If the postgraduate admissions tutor requires further information or wishes to invite you to further assessment by interview they will contact you directly. You will then hear whether your application has been successful.
If you do not clearly meet the standard entry requirements and the admission tutor wishes to see a portfolio from you, you will be sent an email asking you to upload your portfolio to your Kingston University OSIS account. Further details on how to do this will be provided at the time.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
I did a lot of research into the options and applied to a number of UK universities but I was really impressed with the course content and structure of the MSc courses at Kingston. This, as well as the University's reputation for computing courses and the quality of the information provided, made Kingston my first choice.
After passing my course with a distinction, the University's job shop helped me get my first position with an IT company, dealing with financial services located at the heart of the City of London. The job was fantastic and I gained a lot of experience and knowledge, which helped me to secure a new role as a software engineer with GlaxoSmithKline.
