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Software Systems Engineering MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Software Systems Engineering MSc at UCL provides an ideal foundation for PhD study. The programme is underpinned by a Software Engineering Research group that is regularly ranked among the top of its kind in the world (CSRankings.org). Its work is used by leading global companies including Google, Facebook, and Amazon. You will be taught by those who are setting the international agenda, and our research has been repeatedly rated as world-class.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£18,000
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£35,000
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 31 Mar 2023

Applications closed

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree (or international qualification of an equivalent standard in computer science, computing, or software engineering. Relevant work experience may also be considered.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

As a student on the Software Systems Engineering MSc, you will be trained in the principles and techniques of engineering large, complex software systems and gain the opportunity to apply these techniques in a realistic group project setting. You will analyse current practice in software systems engineering, looking at the most significant trends, problems, and results in complex software systems.

Who this course is for

This programme is aimed at graduates wishing to develop an advanced understanding of the engineering of complex software systems and are looking for a career in the software engineering sector or further doctoral research. The programme is also suited to software systems engineering professionals wishing to enhance their understanding of the principles and techniques that they apply in their work.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL is ranked 8th globally and 5th in Europe in the 2023 QS World University Rankings, giving you an exciting opportunity to study at one of world's best universities.  

UCL Computer Science is recognised as a world leader in teaching and research. The department was ranked first in England and second in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK's most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021.) You will learn from leading experts with an outstanding reputation in the field.

Graduates of our programme are highly valued as a result of the department's strong international reputation, strong links with industry, and ideal location close to the City of London.

The programme team takes an experimental approach to our subject, enjoy the challenge and opportunity of entrepreneurial partnerships, and place a high value on our extensive range of industrial collaborations. Students from recent cohorts have worked in collaboration with Microsoft, IBM, Intel, and the NHS.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Alumni have been employed at global companies as software engineers or software architects, sometimes by the companies they have engaged with in the context of their final project/ dissertation, whilst others have gone on to pursue further study or a career in academia.

Employability

The programme is designed to prepare you to enter a career as a software architect or leader of software development organisation.

Accreditation

Not applicable.

Teaching and learning

The programme’s core curriculum is typically delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and lab classes, as well as directed and self-directed learning supported by teaching materials and resources, published through each module’s online virtual learning environment. Each module employs a teaching strategy that aligns with and supports its intended learning outcomes.

You will be assessed through a range of methods across the programme, which will vary depending on any optional or elective module choices. The programme’s core curriculum is typically assessed by methods including coursework, lab work, individual and group projects, class tests, written examinations, oral assessments, and, in all cases, culminating in a final research project/ dissertation.

Contact time takes a variety of forms, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervisions, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, visits, placements, office hours (where staff are available for consultation), email, videoconference, or other media, and situations where feedback on assessed work is given (one-to-one or in a group).

Each module has a credit value that indicates the total notional learning hours a learner will spend on average to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is typically described as being equal to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

The contact time for each of your 15 credit taught modules will typically include 22-30 hours of teaching activity over the term of its delivery, with the balance then comprised of self-directed learning and working on your assessments. You will have ongoing contact with teaching staff via each module’s online discussion forum, which is typically used for discussing and clarifying concepts or assessment matters and will have the opportunity to access additional support via regular office hours with module leaders and programme directors.

Your research project/ dissertation module is 60 credits and will include regular contact with your project supervisor(s), who will guide and support you throughout your project. You will dedicate most of your time on this module to carrying out research in connection with your project and writing up your final report.

Modules

The Software Systems Engineering MSc is a one-year programme.

In term 1, you will study requirements engineering and software architecture, which will introduce you to fundamental concepts and the latest techniques to develop your modelling skills and your ability to communicate requirements and architectures with clarity and precision to business stakeholders and software developers. You will improve your knowledge and understanding of the nature and variety of current software development practice. You will be introduced to cutting-edge research methods in software engineering emphasising the close reading of research papers; the critical, yet balanced, evaluation of research ideas; and writing a research project proposal. You will choose from a range of specialist optional topics, which may include computer security, malware, complex networks and web, networked systems, and distributed systems and security.

In term 2, you will further develop your skills and knowledge to design, implement, and integrate large-scale software systems from heterogeneous components and services.  You will study validation and verification, which will cover not only the state-of-the practice in validation and verification, but also the most significant trends, problems and results in validation and verification research. You will also study professional practice, which will provide a viewpoint on the commercial realities of work and practical skills in project management through a series of seminars given by those with practical experience of real problems at technical, managerial, financial, and ethical levels. You will choose from a range of optional topics, which may include machine learning, further computer security, information retrieval and data mining, practical program analysis, and automated software engineering. You will also begin preparation for your final research project/ dissertation.

In term 3, you will primarily focus on your final research project/ dissertation (either group or individual), and any examinations that take place in the main examination period.

Compulsory modules










Optional modules















Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Software Systems Engineering.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £18,000
Tuition fees (2023/24) £35,000

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

All full-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £2,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000.

Students will require a modern computer (PC or Mac) with minimum specifications 8GB RAM and 500GB SSD storage. A computer with the stated specifications is estimated to cost £500 or greater.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For more information about funding opportunities for Department of Computer Science taught postgraduate programmes, please see the department's scholarships webpage.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 8 June 2023
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we wish to learn:

  • why you want to study Software Systems Engineering at graduate level
  • why you want to study Software Systems Engineering at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • what programming experience you have
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver. Your application will be judged entirely on the evidence you provide.

Due to competition for places on this programme, no late applications will be considered. Students with visa requirements or applying for scholarships are advised to apply early.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Computer Science
Computer Science

cs.pgt-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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