BEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year

This degree uses a Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate-like structure – where some of your teaching will be done via real-world inspired projects. You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical labs. You will typically have around 12 contact hours per week and are expected to also spend about 4 hours each week co-ordinating with team members on group activities, and at least another 8-12 hours working independently on assessments and learning activities. Labs will often emphasise working in small groups to enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and put theory into practice.

Teaching will mostly take place in classrooms, labs and lecture theatres on the main Canterbury campus. Some teaching takes place online through the University's Blackboard VLE and CMS, 1:1 meetings may be held on other platforms.

You will also have regular scheduled meetings, in addition to the above contact hours, with an assigned academic personal tutor, which is your first point of contact for assistance to your undergraduates needs.

Your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select.

When not attending timetabled sessions it is expected you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves completing computer-based exercises, preparing for workshops and seminars, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, undertaking coursework assignments or reading journal articles and books. Your module leader will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before or after a class.

For your final year individual project, you will undertake independent research and develop a software based system. You will receive specific teaching/training before undertaking this project and will be assigned a supervisor who will guide you through your work.

You should treat your studies as a full time occupation, spending 30+ hours per week on your learning and personal development. 

The team consists of highly qualified academics. They have a range of expertise and experience and many have directly relevant work or consultancy experience. You can expect that all members of academic staff will have or be working towards a teaching qualification or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

All our team members hold Doctoral or professional qualifications (e.g. Member of the British Computer Society or Eur. Ing.).

Postgraduate students assist in some teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the majority of lectures and seminars.