Why choose the School of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries
In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2025, our computing courses rank 4th in their subject field overall; they rank 1st for support, student engagement and sense of community.
Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT.
Our block delivery course structure gives you year-round entry points and intermediate qualifications so you can tailor your learning to fit around your life.
About the course
This Master’s is designed for graduates and experienced programmers who want to solve real-world problems; evaluate advanced software engineering environments; and build complex software applications based on emerging technologies. The course aims to provide you with a critical understanding of software engineering techniques. You explore a range of topics from databases, advanced programming, design patterns and data modelling to popular development platforms, cloud computing and the Big Data eco-system.
Course accreditation
This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT. This recognition enhances the credibility and quality assurance of academic programmes, allowing students to have their qualifications recognised globally. It can open up international education and employment opportunities, and increase professional mobility.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Modern STEM building with purpose-built facilities, including a high-tech CCNA Academy computer networking suite and dedicated computing rooms
- Cutting-edge technologies such as agile development; front-end and back-end applications; containerisation; cloud native orchestration; and the provision of high-performance infrastructure using GPU clusters, so you become familiar with the tools used in industry right from the start
- Access to virtual private cloud, downloadable Microsoft developer tools and VMware Workstation
- Bespoke lecture theatres, presentation rooms and group study spaces
Student experience
Our faculty’s active involvement in real-world research and consultancy feeds directly into the course delivery, ensuring you are kept up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field.
Learn to solve real-world problems with hands-on projects involving state-of-the-art technologies.
Expand your horizons with subject-relevant field trips and interactive workshops held by external speakers.
Personalise your learning experience with block teaching, flexible entry points and your choice of MSc research project.
Develop key transferable skills, from critical evaluation and advanced problem solving to effective communication and the ability to assess aspects of legislation, ethics and risk.
Benefit from your own personal academic tutor.
Course Leader - Dr Renxi Qiu
Renxi's research has been focused on semi-autonomous robot systems with adaptive autonomy. In recent years, the emphasis is placed on AI powered robotics supported by 5G/6G technologies and cloud computing. By sharing knowledge among robots, edge and cloud resources, the connected intelligence enhances the robot autonomy and improves the robustness of the robots in deployment.
Course Leader - Dr Renxi Qiu
Renxi's research has been focused on semi-autonomous robot systems with adaptive autonomy. In recent years, the emphasis is placed on AI powered robotics supported by 5G/6G technologies and cloud computing. By sharing knowledge among robots, edge and cloud resources, the connected intelligence enhances the robot autonomy and improves the robustness of the robots in deployment.
Course Leader - Dr Renxi Qiu
Renxi's research has been focused on semi-autonomous robot systems with adaptive autonomy. In recent years, the emphasis is placed on AI powered robotics supported by 5G/6G technologies and cloud computing. By sharing knowledge among robots, edge and cloud resources, the connected intelligence enhances the robot autonomy and improves the robustness of the robots in deployment.
Course Leader - Dr Renxi Qiu
Renxi's research has been focused on semi-autonomous robot systems with adaptive autonomy. In recent years, the emphasis is placed on AI powered robotics supported by 5G/6G technologies and cloud computing. By sharing knowledge among robots, edge and cloud resources, the connected intelligence enhances the robot autonomy and improves the robustness of the robots in deployment.
Course Leader - Dr Renxi Qiu
Renxi's research has been focused on semi-autonomous robot systems with adaptive autonomy. In recent years, the emphasis is placed on AI powered robotics supported by 5G/6G technologies and cloud computing. By sharing knowledge among robots, edge and cloud resources, the connected intelligence enhances the robot autonomy and improves the robustness of the robots in deployment.
Course Leader - Dr Renxi Qiu
Renxi's research has been focused on semi-autonomous robot systems with adaptive autonomy. In recent years, the emphasis is placed on AI powered robotics supported by 5G/6G technologies and cloud computing. By sharing knowledge among robots, edge and cloud resources, the connected intelligence enhances the robot autonomy and improves the robustness of the robots in deployment.
Studying our Software Engineering and Applications MSc course will equip you with the in-depth knowledge and skills in software development, programming and data modelling. You will have the opportunity to explore the area of Cloud Computing through our Distributed and Parallel Computing Technologies unit, where you will gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of parallel and distributed computer systems. This unit will also allow you to develop your analytical skills to identify and evaluate modern computing platforms while considering current and emerging trends in the field.
In practical areas of study, you will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of Software Design Patterns and Data Architectures while also developing your analytical and practical skills to evaluate technologies and its real-world applications. Furthermore, you will explore and evaluate Applied Software Development Techniques and Applications of Open Source Frameworks to build on your theoretical understanding and practical skills in the area.
Finally, you will complete an MSc Project in Software Engineering and Applications that will allow you to bring your acquired skills and knowledge together in practice. You can take this opportunity to work on a topic of interest to you that is relevant to your field of study. To help you with this, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge around Research Methodologies and Project Management that will prepare you to engage with scientific work, data analysis, establishing hypotheses and understanding research.
The assessment strategy used is a balance of coursework group and individual reports portfolios presentations or exams. Presentations are usually given and assessed in the context of a group seminar.
You will also produce artefacts in the area of your specialism. The method used for the assessments will depend on the nature of the subject being taught in the unit and the most appropriate method has been chosen.
Constant feedback and advice from a supervisory or unit team will be provided to support you in your work so that you can gain an insight into whether your work is meeting the necessary targets.
Careers
On successfully completing this course, you will have built the skills and expertise needed to follow a career as a professional software developer creating applications for the latest emerging technologies.
Other potential roles include software engineer; programmer; data or system analyst; software consultant; and project manager.
You could also progress to further study at MSc by Research, MPhil or PhD level.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
