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Computer Engineering

  • Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Highfield Campus
More about University of Southampton

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Summary
Computer engineering is where hardware meets software. It is about understanding how systems work at every level and using that knowledge to design faster, smarter and more efficient technology.

On this course, you will learn how to design and build complex computer systems, from processors to the software that drives them. You will develop a strong foundation across both hardware and software, exploring how they work together to power modern computing.

You will study core topics alongside specialist areas such as CPU design and optimisation, gaining a deep understanding of how performance is shaped. Your learning is influenced by world leading research, giving you insight into advanced areas like high performance computing and control system design.

At Southampton, you will be part of a community known for creative, cutting edge thinking, preparing you for a career in a rapidly evolving field.

Key features of the course
Understand the full system. Learn how hardware and software interact as you design and build complex computer systems, including developing CPUs and compilers from the ground up.

Build strong foundations. Develop essential skills for both software and digital hardware engineering, preparing you for a wide range of roles.

Shape your learning. Choose from optional modules inspired by world leading research in areas such as networking, chip design, and hardware accelerators.

Learn from experts. Your teaching is informed by academics working at the forefront of computer science and engineering.

Study in a leading environment. Access outstanding facilities designed to support modern computing and engineering, including the latest GPUs, high performance FPGAs, and a new electronics lab

Prepare for your future. Graduates are highly sought after for their ability to create innovative, practical solutions using advanced technical skills.

Student support
Your Personal Academic Tutor will support you throughout your degree, offering guidance on your studies, career planning and personal development.

You will also have access to our Careers Hub, including an annual careers fair and opportunities to connect with employers. If you want to develop your own ideas, Future Worlds, our startup incubator, will support you to take them further.

Further information
Computer Science at Southampton has a strong reputation for innovation and technical excellence, and our graduates are in high demand across a wide range of industries.

This degree will equip you with the knowledge, skills and experience to design the next generation of computer systems

Modules

Course Modules

This three-year BEng programme will enable you to pursue a career in any area of the computer industry and has been designed to maximise student choice by allowing you to tailor the degree structure to suit your own interests.

During the first two years you will undertake a series of core modules, for example Algorithms and analysis; High-and Low-level Programming, Mathematics and Systematic design. In your second year, you will be taking the Interdisciplinary Group Project, to create a combined hardware + software robotic system, collaborating with AI students to give it intelligence. Also in your second year, you will be taking the Computer Architecture and Code Transformation modules; in this modules, students design and implement a full working CPU from the ground up, then use it to run programs compiled using their own compiler. In your third year, you can also choose from a wide range of optional modules that reflect the specialist areas of computer engineering and key technologies that will be critical in the future. You will also work on an individual project to take a piece of software from development to implementation and evaluation.

Assessment method

A range of assessment methods are used on this programme to enable students to demonstrate their achievement of the intended learning outcomes. These include written examinations and assessments, in-class tests, design exercises, programming exercises, oral presentations, assessed laboratories and group work exercises.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 20 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
I800
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Southampton 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
13 January 2027

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:
I800
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*AA

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A).

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A), plus grade A in the EPQ.

T Level
D

A Distinction, including a Core A grade in Digital Production, Design and Development T-level plus grade A in A-level Mathematics

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).

Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
D*D

DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics.
or
DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level maths.

Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
D

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level Maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

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

DD in the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics.
or
DD in the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

We do not accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma without A-level maths.

Applicants with a BTEC National Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

Extended Project
A

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer:
AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and grade A in the EPQ

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 38

Pass, with 38 points overall, with 19 points required at Higher Level including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.

Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
A

AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
AA from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) and A from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1H1H2H2H2H2

H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including mathematics and applied mathematics

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

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics .

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

We do not accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma without A-level Maths. Applicants with a BTEC National Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
A

AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A) or AA from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A), and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D2D3D3

D2, D3, D3 in three Principal subjects including mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/study/subjects/computer-science-software-engineering

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component below 6.0

All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

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.

We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton 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
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050
EU & InternationalTBC

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

Please see our website for further details and updates regarding tuition fees.

We anticipate that international tuition fee levels for 2027 entry will be confirmed in August 2026.

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