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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Software Engineering with Foundation Year
University of Salford
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Software Engineering with Foundation Year course at University of Salford.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
64 UCAS Tariff points - Grade E in Maths or Computing/IT. 72 UCAS Tariff points - any subject/grade combination.
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: G601
Here's what University of Salford says about its Software Engineering with Foundation Year course.
Increasingly sophisticated applications are shaping our daily lives and revolutionising industries. Learn to develop the next generation of software driving converging technology with a BSc Software Engineering with Foundation Year degree.
Software systems are at the heart of all aspects of daily life, including commerce, industry, healthcare and communication. With organisations of all sizes seeking talented professionals to create software systems that are usable, robust and maintainable, now is a great time to study a software engineering degree.
Develop in-demand knowledge and skills The foundation year pathway aims to provide understanding of the key subjects in communication and study skills, basic programming, and essential mathematics. On successful completion, you will progress on to our BCS, Chartered Institute for I.T-accredited BSc (Hons) Software Engineering degree.
For three further years of study - or four, if you choose to include an industry placement, our course delivers essential and specialist skills needed by industry. Initially, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the technologies associated with the interactive web applications. You will develop methodical approaches to the analysis, design, development, testing and maintenance of object-oriented systems using the Java language. You will focus on topics such as server-side programming, artificial intelligence (AI) and data mining, and design patterns.
Get closer to industry With our envious campus location, minutes from central Manchester, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get involved in the region’s thriving tech community. Once you join the full BSc (Hons) Software Engineering degree, you can choose to include a placement year to apply what you’ve learnt and develop further skills, adding ‘with professional experience’ to your degree award. There will also be opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities through our computing society.
We are a fast-growing centre for computer and data science. Our research and industry partnerships have influenced the development of commercial software products, and we work across multiple industries to unlock the potential of data and AI. We are also a co-founding member of both the Greater Manchester Cyber Foundry and the Greater Manchester AI Foundry. Through these initiatives, we support the city region’s ambitions to be a digital leader - and help it continue to be a great place for our computing graduates to build successful careers.
Our new home for computing In Autumn 2022, we opened our new £65 million hub for science, engineering and the environment - and our new home for computing. Sustainability-designed and 100% electric powered, the building offers unrivalled teaching, learning and research facilities and provides exciting new spaces for industry collaboration.
Features • Initially study a foundation year to develop computing, maths and study skills to progress to study our BSc (Hons) Software Engineering degree • Build theoretical knowledge to adapt your skills as programming, languages and techniques evolve • Cultivate independent technical judgement, with the ability to think conceptually and use technology to translate concepts into reality • Develop methodical approaches to the analysis, design, development, testing and maintenance of object-oriented systems using the Java language • Understand and apply the techniques and technologies used to create interactive web applications • Choose options in virtual reality and 3D gaming, mobile development, information security management or business management
This course is not open to international students.
Source: University of Salford
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Location
Peel Park Campus | Salford
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Software engineering
Start date
September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
The modules you will study
Foundation Year:
- Computer Systems
- Computer Programming
- Computing Mathematics FY
- Web Programming
- Inside Computer Systems
Year One:
- Programming 1
- Programming 2
- Professional Development and Practices
- Web Development and Human Computer Interfaces
- Computer System Internals and Linux
- Database Systems
Year Two:
- Design Patterns
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Software Project with Agile Techniques (Salford HackCamp)
- Networking and Security
- Career Development
- Software Evolution
- Client Server Systems
- Deep Learning
Year Three:
- Software Quality Management
- Dependable Software Engineering
- Project for Software Engineering
Choose two options from the following:
- Virtual Reality and 3D Games
- Mobile Development
- Information Security Management
- Business Management
- Advanced Web Development
- Deep Learning
How you will be assessed
You will be assessed through a combination of formats:
- Examinations which will assess your immediate response to a set of unseen problems
- Assignments which will assess your response to a larger problem
- Practical tests which will assess your ability to apply appropriate skills to a problem
- Projects which will assess your ability to create a plan, identify possibilities, make decisions, carry out the plan, and reflect on the choices and outcome
- Software development tasks to apply the techniques you have learned and demonstrate your work
University of Salford reviews
Showing 130 reviews
3rd year student
Four stars: Great
1 year ago
3rd year student
Four stars: Great
1 year ago
3rd year student
Four stars: Great
1 year ago
3rd year student
Four stars: Great
1 year ago
3rd year student
Four stars: Great
1 year ago
3rd year student
Four stars: Great
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from University of Salford students who took the Software Engineering with Foundation Year course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
77%
med
Teaching on my course
77%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
82%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
85%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
66%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
76%
med
Learning opportunities
83%
high
Learning opportunities
83%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
88%
high
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
85%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
79%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
82%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
82%
med
Assessment and feedback
66%
low
Assessment and feedback
66%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
88%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
85%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
58%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
33%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
67%
med
Academic support
80%
med
Academic support
80%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
82%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
78%
low
Organisation and management
82%
med
Organisation and management
82%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
82%
med
How well organised is your course?
82%
med
Learning resources
89%
med
Learning resources
89%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
90%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
88%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
88%
med
Student voice
75%
med
Student voice
75%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
69%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
82%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
78%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
82%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
84%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
81%
med
Student information
See who's studying at University of Salford. These students are taking Software Engineering with Foundation Year or another course from the same subject area.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Computer Science | C | |||||
| Mathematics | C | |||||
| Business Studies | B | |||||
| Biology | C | |||||
| Chemistry | C | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
Facts and figures about University of Salford graduates who took Software Engineering with Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.
Graduate statistics
75%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
85%
In work, study or other activity
85%
Say it fits with future plans
85%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
75%
Information Technology Professionals
20%
Elementary occupations
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Salford graduates who took Software Engineering with Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£25.9k
First year after graduation
£29.2k
Third year after graduation
£32.1k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Software Engineering with Foundation Year.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about University of Salford on The Student Room.
Chat with University of Salford
Salford is a diverse, ambitious and thriving University – our community encompasses over 23,000 students, 2500 staff and 170,000 alumni, with a student body from over 130 different countries.
We’re located in Greater Manchester in the Northwest of England. Our main Peel Park campus is just minutes away from Manchester city centre and, across the way, we have the Frederick Road campus that is home to our healthcare courses. We are also the only university with a MediaCity campus, sitting right next to neighbours such as ITV and the BBC.
Industry connections are at the heart of everything we do. We form strong partnerships with businesses and organisations from all sectors, working hand-in-hand with them to develop courses that are up-to-date and relevant to today’s challenges, helping you to graduate confident and ready to step into your chosen career.
We are leading in areas including health, energy, media and the built environment and have completed impressive work with business and industry partners. For example, our base at Media City encourages creative collaboration between students, specialist technicians, academics and the media production industry.
We invest heavily in our own campus facilities for the benefit of our students. For example, we have the new £65 million Science, Engineering and Environment building, which is totally electric-powered and supported by 154 solar panels. We also have an Energy House, where research teams can test out the energy efficiency of a home; and an anachronic chamber, which is so quiet that you can start to hear the sound of your own heartbeat.
Salford is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live, work and for future prospects.
University of Salford open days
Are you thinking of applying to this university?
Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.
Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
