Postgraduate webinar series: Royal Holloway's London experience – Life on our London campus
5 Mar 2026, 10:00
Egham
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Computer Science (Software Engineering)
- Msci (Hon)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 21/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Our technological world has created a global demand for skilled professionals who can design, build and maintain computer programmes, databases and applications. This advanced four-year programme offers a thorough foundation in computing and application development, as well as a thorough exploration of software engineering. You will have the chance to showcase your abilities through practical work and extended projects, and the programme is particularly recommended if you have already experienced and enjoyed programming and you want to go on to postgraduate study or a specialist career in software.
Launched in 2015/16, this specialist programme will give you all the knowledge, skills and professionalism that you need for a successful career. Our software engineering teaching has been used as an example of ‘best practice’ in 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. Our progressive curriculum has been developed in consultation with industry, with a modular structure that gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests. 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. There is also the option of transferring onto our five-year, year in industry programme, subject to good academic progress.
We are a highly respected, research-focused department with 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-msci/
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
- Msci (Hon) • Full-time • 4 Years
Start dates
- 21/09/2026
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:
- G461
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
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:
- G461
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAA - AAB
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: 33 credits M: 12 credits
Pass in a relevant subject with at least 33 level 3 credits at Distinction and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit.
Scottish Higher - AAAAA
Including either Mathematics, Physics or Computer Science.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Plus A-level grade A 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 AA 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 A in either Mathematics or Physics or Computer Science.
Scottish Advanced Higher - AAA - AAB
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, H2, H2
H2,H2,H2,H2,H2 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 BETA
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.
- Data from:
- This course and 16 other computer science courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- AAA
- Highest grades
- CCD
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
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.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| International | £29900 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £29900 | Year 1 |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £9,535
EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £29,900
Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.
*The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. This figure is the fee for the academic year 2025/26 and is shown as a guide. The fee for the academic year 2026/27 has not yet been announced.
**This figure is the fee for EU and international students on this course in the academic year 2026/27.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see: 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. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:Admissions.Enquiries@RoyalHolloway.ac.uk
Phone:01784 414944
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