MSc Software Engineering

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 76.
• Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

Cardiff University offers a range of scholarships to support international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies. These scholarships are designed to attract high-achieving students from around the world, easing the financial burden and recognizing academic excellence. 

Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship: Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship is a merit-based award that provides partial funding for exceptional international undergraduate and postgraduate students. This scholarship rewards high academic achievement and study, making it ideal for students with strong academic backgrounds.

Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship: This scholarship offers substantial funding to international postgraduate students from certain countries, including the USA, India, Vietnam, and EU nations. The scholarship covers part of the tuition fees and is awarded based on academic merit and potential for success.

Chevening Scholarship: Offered in collaboration with the UK government, the prestigious Chevening Scholarship is available to international students who demonstrate leadership potential and academic excellence. The award covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other allowances, supporting future leaders and influencers in various fields.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: For students from Commonwealth countries, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships provide funding for postgraduate students who would otherwise be unable to study in the UK. The scholarship includes full tuition, living expenses, and airfare, ensuring accessibility for students from developing nations.

British Council GREAT Scholarships: Cardiff University partners with the British Council to offer the GREAT Scholarships for students from specific countries, including China, India, Malaysia, and Thailand. These scholarships provide financial assistance for tuition fees and are intended to encourage bright students to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK.

Subject-Specific Scholarships: Certain academic departments at Cardiff University offer additional scholarships tailored to specific fields of study, such as engineering, business, and life sciences. These scholarships provide partial funding and are aimed at attracting talented students to specific programs.

Financial Aid and External Scholarships: In addition to Cardiff University scholarships, students can explore external funding options such as loans, grants, and scholarships provided by their home countries or private organizations. The university’s financial aid office offers guidance to help students find external financial support.

Graduates of the MSc Software Engineering program from Cardiff University have a wide array of career opportunities in the tech industry. The program equips students with the skills required to excel in various roles within software development, system design, and IT management.

Software Engineer/Developer: Many graduates go on to become software engineers or developers, responsible for designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software applications and systems. These professionals work in industries ranging from finance to healthcare, contributing to innovative software solutions.

Systems Architect: With expertise in software architecture and design, graduates can become systems architects, who are responsible for creating the blueprint for complex software systems. This role requires a deep understanding of system components and how they interact.

IT Consultant: Some graduates pursue careers as IT consultants, providing expert advice on technology solutions to improve business operations. IT consultants work closely with clients to understand their needs and recommend appropriate software solutions.

Data Scientist/Analyst: With a focus on data analytics and software solutions, graduates may move into data science or data analysis roles, where they use programming skills to analyze and interpret large data sets, helping businesses make data-driven decisions.

Cybersecurity Specialist: Graduates with an interest in security can specialize in cybersecurity, protecting software systems from cyber threats and ensuring data integrity. This field is critical in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.

Cloud Engineer: As more businesses move to cloud-based platforms, graduates may work as cloud engineers, designing and managing cloud infrastructure to support scalable software applications and services.

Software Tester/Quality Assurance Engineer: These professionals are responsible for evaluating software to identify bugs, ensure usability, and verify that it meets specified requirements before release.

Project Manager: With their technical knowledge and leadership abilities, some graduates become project managers, overseeing software development projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring timely delivery.

Entrepreneur/Start-up Founder: Armed with both technical and business acumen, some graduates may choose to start their own software companies or join start-ups, bringing innovative solutions to the market.

Academic or Researcher: For those interested in further education, there is the option to pursue doctoral research in software engineering or related fields, contributing to the development of new theories, methodologies, and technologies.