In industry software has become the key element in the development of computer-based systems and products. It is necessary to take a professional engineering approach to the design and implementation of software systems, integrating methods, tools and procedures for the development of computer software. The primary aim is the production of quality software - software which conforms to the customer's requirements and needs, which is highly reliable in operation, and which is easy to maintain and enhance.

The programme for the BSc with Honours in Software Systems Engineering is designed to allow the holders of overseas Diplomas and Degrees to complete their training up to full UK Honours degree level, obtain a valuable qualification, and become key members of the software engineering workforce in just 12 months of study.

In order to gain the necessary credits to meet the University's requirement for a full honours degree, the programme lasts 12 months full time. Students study four units per semester and project work is carried out over the winter and summer vacations.

Study at Stirling offers several advantages, the most important of which is that 'we care'. The Department itself is welcoming, and you will get a high degree of personal attention - our doors are always wide open!

We are well equipped; the computing facilities in the Department, and the network infrastructure, are all state of the art.

The academic year at Stirling is divided into two 15-week semesters. Individual course units last one semester, and these course units form the basis of all degree schemes. The modular semester system makes it possible to provide a coherent course structure to meet the needs of our students.

A further advantage is the campus itself; not just a beautiful location, but an exciting and friendly place to be because of facilities such as the Sports Centre, the MacRobert Arts Centre, and the Students' Union, and because so many students live on campus.

Finally, as a graduate of Computing Science you will have excellent career prospects, our students are highly sought after.

A view across the campus	The student halls of residence
(See some 360o panoramic views here)

Your future career

Graduates whose degrees include computing science can be found in a variety of forms of employment, but with the present shortage of Information Technology skills most of them find work as software engineers, programmers, and in other related roles. Opportunities in these areas occur across a wide spectrum of industry and commerce. Career opportunities can also be found in research and education.

At Stirling we place considerable emphasis in our course on acquiring a disciplined approach to programming, and the 'engineering' of software. This has proved to be a valuable asset to many of our graduates, who are to be found in most major software and computing companies.

How does the degree structure work?

The programme for the 12-month BSc with Honours in Software Systems Engineering is designed to allow Diploma students to gain the necessary credits to meet the University's requirement for a full honours degree. The programme lasts 12 months full time. Students take four units per semester and project work is carried out over the winter and summer vacations. The course units are assessed by a mixture of coursework assignments and examinations.

The University of Stirling has a two-semester system. Semesters run from September to December and from February until the end of May.

Autumn Semester (September to December)

Students complete four taught course units.

Winter break

Preliminary investigations for project.

Spring Semester (February to end-May)

Students complete four taught course units.

Summer break

From June students carry out a three month supervised project, finishing in the submission of a written dissertation.

Programme of study

The course units will cover topics from the following list:

Entrance requirements

The BSc with Honours in Software Systems Engineering has been especially tailored for holders (and prospective holders) of Diplomas in suitable Information Technology subjects from Polytechnics in Singapore, and other South East Asian institutions.

Students holding (or prospectively holding) qualifications of a similar standing from other institutions and other countries are also welcome to apply for the course, and will be considered on an individual basis. Please use the email link in Further information, below, if you would like to enquire about your eligibility.

The course is quite challenging, and we will normally only consider for admission applicants with grades consistently at the B level or better (with pass grades A, B, C and D). Relevant work experience following a first qualification may allow us to apply a lower grades requirement. Current students may apply before they have completed their courses; we are able to make offers conditional on final grades.

We are currently seeking to arrange standard entrance criteria for applicants from key institutions. The list below shows the current arrangements:

Applicants with other qualifications are invited to apply, and will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants whose grades are typically weaker than decribed above may wish to apply to our normal BSc with Honours in Computing Science or BSc with Honours in Software Engineering (see below), to which they may be admitted with advanced standing to the second or third years.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be expected to satisfy an English requirement (for example, an 'O' level pass, or TOEFL score at least 550).

Tuition fees

Information about tuition fees can be found on the University's central Web site.

The fees are reviewed annually, and so the fees for future entries may be different from the figure given.

Other courses

The Department also offers four other BSc with Honours computing courses:

• BSc with Honours in Computing Science
• BSc with Honours in Information Systems
• BSc with Honours in Software Engineering
• BSc with Honours in Business Computing

Each of these is a four year Honours programme, but holders of suitable Diplomas may be admitted to the second or third year, depending on subjects studied and grades.

For application enquiries and further information:

Mail:

The Admissions Officer
Department of Computing Science and Mathematics
University of Stirling
Stirling FK9 4LA
Scotland, UK

Telephone:

(UK) 01786 467421

(International) +44 1786 467421

Fax:

(UK) 01786 464551

(International) +44 1786 464551

Email:

entrants@cs.stir.ac.uk

Please note that the University's courses are subject to a continuous process of review. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page at the time of display, the University will not be liable for any errors or omissions. The University reserves the right, at its discretion, to vary the contents of courses or parts of courses, to offer new courses, to discontinue existing courses, or to cancel courses in the event of low enrolment.