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Computer Science (Software Engineering)

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Royal Holloway, University of London

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Our technological world is creating a huge demand for skilled professionals who can design, build and maintain computer programmes, databases and applications, to help solve problems and drive efficiencies. With a specialist degree in software engineering, you could be one of them. Launched in 2015/16, this three-year programme will give you the knowledge, skills and practical experience you need for a successful career in software, as a developer, an engineer or an entrepreneur. Our software engineering teaching has been hailed as a ‘best practice’ example of computer science education by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

You will learn from software professionals and leading academics in the field to apply engineering principles to the design, development, implementation and maintenance of all kinds of software. Developed in consultation with industry, our curriculum covers all the key areas that employers look for. You will gain a solid grounding in the fundamentals of computing and application development, from programming to software engineering, databases to web development, computer graphics to robotics, and the latest trends in information security. You will also develop a thorough understanding of modern software development methodologies and the practical experience to back it up, as well as transferrable team working, time management, coding and communication skills, and a strong professional ethos. We cover the whole process of software development in a systematic way, from initial client briefs through to costing, scheduling and efficient delivery.

From the outset you will be experimenting with programming games, robots, Gadgeteer kits, Subversion, JUnit testing, Scrum-based Agile software and more, in our well-equipped laboratories. In your final year you will have the flexibility to choose between a range of optional courses. We are a highly respected, research-focused department with a friendly approach and award-winning teaching. We offer a summer work placement programme and a dedicated personal adviser to guide you through your studies. You will also be welcome to join our thriving Computing Society. We are one of only seven departments in the UK to hold the Athena SWAN bronze award for our commitment to increasing female participation in computer science.

The BCS has distinguished our teaching of Software Engineering as ‘Best Practice’.

You will be taught by staff with extensive industrial experience, three of whom are certified Scrum Masters.

You will learn to master the process of software engineering, from initial client meetings through to delivery.

In the fourth-year team project, you will run a start-up

Modules

Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/computer-science/computer-science-software-engineering/

Assessment method

Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
G464
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
G464
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAB - ABB

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required.

Socio-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.

Required subject: A Level Computer Science or Mathematics or Physics and GCSE grade B/6 in Mathematics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

In a relevant subject (with significant programming content).

Please see our website for the specific BTEC modules you must take in order to meet the entry requirements for this course.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Pass in a relevant subject with at least 30 level 3 credits at Distinction and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit.

Scottish Higher
AAABB

Including either Mathematics, Physics or Computer Science.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

Plus A-level grade B in either Mathematics or Physics or Computer Science.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

Plus A-level grades AB including one of Mathematics or Physics or Computer Science.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
D*DD

In a relevant subject (with significant programming content).

Please see our website for the specific BTEC modules you must take in order to meet the entry requirements for this course.

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
D*D

Plus A-level grade B in either Mathematics or Physics or Computer Science.

Scottish Advanced Higher
AAB - ABB

Including either Mathematics, Physics or Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34 points

6,6,5 at Higher Level OR 34 points overall, including either Physics, Computer Science or 5 HL Maths: Analysis & Approaches/6 HL Maths: Applications & Interpretation

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels, where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3

H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 including H3 in either Mathematics or H3 in Physics or H3 Computer Science.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require English at grade 4/C and B/6 in Mathematics.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on admissions.enquiries@rhul.ac.uk to discuss your situation

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

*The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. This figure is the fee for the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide.

**This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding (https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding).

*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year and are included as a guide. Refers to specific individual items of £50 or more, and excludes accommodation, commuting, food, books/other learning materials and printing costs.

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