Lancaster University undergraduate open day
27 Jun 2026, 08:00
Lancaster

From video game designers to hardware engineers and website developers, software engineers are the architects of our digital world. They are essential for building and maintaining the infrastructure that upholds the digital tools, platforms, and entertainment systems we use in our everyday lives. As a software engineering student, you will gain hands-on experience with a range of software development and design tools and programming languages used across different industries.
Broaden your horizons
Enrich your university experience with a year overseas at one of our partner universities. In Year 3, head out to start your adventure and immerse yourself in a different cultural and academic community.
What to expect
This degree begins by introducing you to fundamental principles and concepts in computer science and how they are applied. You will explore key topics such as software development, digital hardware, the fundamental underpinnings of computer science, and professionalism in practice. And, with this knowledge you will design and analyse systems and software, as well as work with end user feedback to debug and test computer programmes.
Going into Year 2, you will be able to delve deeper into what intrigues you most and specialise your studies towards a specific career path. You will build and analyse systems and software, as well as work with end user feedback to refine and adapt solutions in a range of programming languages. This includes exploring a range of optional topics including concurrent and parallel systems, extended reality, internet applications, and artificial intelligence. You will also undertake design studio modules that will familiarise you with team-based software development, allowing you to gain skills in data analysis, graphical report writing, and presentation skills.
In Year 4, you will continue to focus on collaborative design studio projects to enhance your software engineering skills. Alongside this, you will also learn a range of enriching topics through a selection of optional modules including languages and compilation, embedded systems, a range of AI and cyber security topics, digital health, and computer science education.
Personal development
Throughout your degree, you will develop valuable transferrable skills such as analysis, problem-solving, and communication, which make you highly desirable to future employers. The practical skills you gain in software development, design, and testing prepare you for applications in the real world, and your insight into sustainable computing and AI will make you a unique candidate prepared to face the challenges of the future.
We hope you find your year overseas personally enriching. Our students often tell us that they return feeling more confident, self-assured and with a broader perspective to take into job interviews.
3 things our software engineering students want you to know:
We have a thriving community that engages in a range of extra-curricular societies and groups. They’re a great opportunity to meet new people and build your professional and technical skills. Current groups include LU Hack, the Lancaster University Ethical Hacking Group who practice safe (and legal!) hacking; FemTech, a group aimed at empowering non-male-identifying students in a male-dominated discipline; and the Computer Science Society, who facilitate talks and guest lectures to help you learn from and engage with experts within and beyond our staff
We tackle the important considerations of ethics, sustainability, and AI as we learn
Our campus is a fantastic place to learn! We each have our favourite place to study: in the SkyLounge with amazing views, in our brand new high-end computer labs or in the Science and Technology Building's collaborative and creative labs
Important Information
For the most up-to-date course information and more details, we recommend that you revisit our website before submitting your application.
The following entry points are available for this course:
Discover what it's like to study Software Engineering (Study Abroad) at Lancaster University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
We also require: GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, and GCSE English Language grade C or 4
At Lancaster, we are committed to widening access to higher education for all. As part of this we take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, taking into account exceptional circumstances and potential as much as we can. We run a Contextual Offer Scheme which incorporates a reduced grade offer for applicants that meet our eligibility criteria. For more information on the scheme, and other widening participation activity such as the Lancaster Access Programme, please visit our website.
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
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Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
No fee information has been provided for this course
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.
For information on our fees, please see www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding.
Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4YW
Email:ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Phone:01524 592028