MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
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BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) (with a Placement Year)
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is an intensive four-year undergraduate degree specifically crafted to equip students with the comprehensive skills and invaluable practical experience demanded by the modern software industry. This hands-on program provides a robust foundation in core computer science principles while delving deeply into advanced software engineering topics, including object-oriented programming, data structures and algorithms, DevOps methodologies, and rigorous software testing and quality assurance. A distinctive and integral component is the compulsory year-long industrial placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years, offering unparalleled real-world exposure, fostering crucial commercial awareness, and building professional networks. The curriculum emphasizes active learning through diverse assessments such as software projects, portfolios, case studies, and computer-based tests, moving beyond traditional written exams. This approach ensures graduates develop a thorough understanding of the software development lifecycle and are exceptionally well-prepared to lead and innovate in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) (with a Placement Year) is meticulously structured to provide a comprehensive and progressive understanding of software engineering principles and practices. The first year establishes fundamental computing skills with modules including Computer Systems and Networks, Mathematics for Computer Science, Programming Principles and Techniques, Database Systems, Object-Oriented Programming, 1 and Web Design and Development. As students advance, the second year introduces core software engineering concepts through modules such as Data Structures and Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Web Application Development, Mobile Application Development, and a crucial Team Project where students develop software solutions for real clients. The third year is dedicated entirely to the compulsory industrial placement, offering a critical opportunity to apply learned software engineering skills and gain professional exposure within an industry setting. The final academic year culminates in a significant Individual Project, allowing for specialised software development or research, complemented by advanced modules including Software Testing and Quality Assurance, Usability Testing and Evaluation, Advanced Topics in Computer Science, and DevOps, ensuring students are equipped with cutting-edge software engineering knowledge and its practical applications.
Research Focus: While the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) (with a Placement Year) is a hands-on undergraduate program, its curriculum at St. Mary's University is continuously informed by current research and cutting-edge developments within the software engineering and broader computer science fields. The academic staff, many of whom possess significant industry experience, actively integrate the latest insights in areas such as agile methodologies, software architecture patterns, automated testing frameworks, secure coding practices, and emerging DevOps tools into their teaching. Students are consistently encouraged to develop strong analytical, problem-solving, and applied research capabilities throughout the program, particularly through various software projects, case studies, and their culminating final-year individual project. This project often involves designing and implementing complex software solutions or investigating novel approaches to software development challenges, enabling students to engage in applied research and contribute to innovative software solutions.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a fundamental and integrated aspect of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University, designed to ensure graduates are highly employable and possess relevant, real-world skills. The compulsory year-long industrial placement is a pivotal feature, providing students with unparalleled hands-on experience within software development teams in various organisations. Beyond the placement, the university actively fosters strong connections with the tech industry through various initiatives. Students benefit from engaging lectures delivered by industry guest speakers, participate in hackathons, industry conferences, and tech meetups, and have opportunities for field trips to leading tech organisations and industry partners. The curriculum also includes a second-year team project where students develop software solutions for real clients, providing direct exposure to industry practices and client demands. The university's London location further provides exceptional access to networking opportunities and potential career pathways with diverse industry partners seeking skilled software engineering talent.
Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University integrates a strong global perspective, preparing graduates for the interconnected and international nature of the software industry. The curriculum explores universal software engineering principles, methodologies, and emerging technologies that transcend geographical boundaries, such as global development standards, open-source contributions, and collaborative software projects across diverse international teams. Students gain an understanding of the ethical implications of software development in a global context and the challenges of designing systems for diverse user bases and varied regulatory environments. The program's emphasis on practical, industry-aligned skills, reinforced by the compulsory placement year, ensures that the expertise developed is highly relevant and transferable across international markets. Moreover, the placement can expose students to multinational corporations or international development teams, fostering an understanding of diverse working environments and cross-cultural collaboration in the global software economy.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17100
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering) (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, provides graduates with a comprehensive and highly practical education, making them exceptionally well-prepared for diverse and in-demand roles within the software industry. This four-year program integrates core computer science principles with specialized software engineering methodologies, such as object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithms, and DevOps. The compulsory year-long industrial placement is a significant asset, offering invaluable real-world experience, fostering crucial commercial awareness, and enabling students to build professional networks. Graduates emerge with a thorough understanding of the entire software development lifecycle and the practical skills to innovate and lead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Software Engineer / Developer: This is the most direct career path, involving the design, development, and maintenance of software applications across various platforms. Graduates apply their strong programming skills, knowledge of software architecture, and development methodologies to build robust and scalable solutions, benefiting significantly from the practical experience gained during their placement year.
Full-Stack Developer: A highly versatile role, full-stack developers possess proficiency in both front-end (user interface) and back-end (server-side logic, databases, APIs) development. The program's comprehensive curriculum, combined with real-world exposure from the placement, enables graduates to work across all layers of an application.
DevOps Engineer: Graduates with a solid understanding of DevOps principles can work to streamline the software development and deployment processes. Their knowledge of automation, continuous integration/delivery, and system management, often put into practice during their placement, is crucial for optimising efficiency and reliability in software delivery.
Software Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer / Tester: These professionals ensure software products meet quality standards, user requirements, and are free of defects. They design and execute test plans, identify and report bugs, and contribute to improving the overall software quality. The program's emphasis on rigorous software testing and the practical application of these skills during placement directly aligns with this career.
Mobile App Developer: Specialising in creating applications for iOS and Android platforms, these developers leverage their object-oriented programming skills and knowledge of mobile development frameworks. The hands-on experience and potential focus on mobile projects during the placement year make graduates highly suitable for this role.
Backend Developer: These engineers focus on the server-side of applications, building and maintaining the core logic, databases, and APIs that enable applications to function. Their expertise in database systems, robust programming, and system integration, often enhanced by placement experience, is vital for seamless application performance.
Front-End Developer: Specialising in the user-facing side of web and mobile applications, these professionals use languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create engaging and intuitive user interfaces. The program's strong foundation in web design and development, alongside practical project work and placement exposure, prepares students for this role.
Systems Analyst: These professionals bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions. They analyse an organisation's existing IT systems and user requirements to design and implement new software solutions or improve existing ones, drawing on their comprehensive understanding of the software development lifecycle and problem-solving skills from their degree and placement.
Technical Consultant: Leveraging their strong technical knowledge of software engineering principles and excellent problem-solving skills, graduates can advise clients on bespoke software solutions, system integrations, and technology strategies. The commercial awareness and communication skills developed during the placement year are particularly valuable in this client-facing role.
Cybersecurity Analyst (with a software development focus): While not a direct specialisation, graduates with a strong software engineering background can pivot into cybersecurity roles. They can focus on developing secure software, identifying vulnerabilities in code, or implementing security best practices within software systems, benefiting from their understanding of system architecture and programming principles.
