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Computing (Software Engineering)
Focus on how software is engineered to form complex computing systems in this integrated Master’s degree.
Focus on how software is engineered to form complex computing systems
Learn how modern computer and communications systems function, and how they can be adapted to build the next generation of computing applications
Use sound underlying principles and logical thinking to design and build systems as you develop your technical expertise
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MEng
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Duration
4 years
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Start date
October 2025
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UCAS course code
G600
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£9,535 per year Home
£43,300 per year Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Applications: places
17 : 1 (2023)
Minimum entry standard
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A*A*A – A*AAA (A-level)
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41 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Computing is a creative and wide-ranging subject that focuses on using sound underlying principles and logical thinking to design and build systems that really work.
This course allows you to focus on the way software is engineered to form complex computing systems. Your specialism will give you a deep understanding of state-of-the-art methods for developing complex software systems that are easy to test, maintain and extend and that fulfil the needs of their users.
You'll learn how modern computer and communications systems function, and how they can be used and adapted to build the next generation of reliable and secure computing applications.
The core of this programme has been designed to give you an overview of computing, an understanding of the basic concepts and principles, the ability to appreciate and adapt to changes in technology, and practical experience in applied computing.
A special emphasis of your studies will be on the fundamental principles underlying computing and on the engineering considerations involved in computing system design, implementation and usage. You will be introduced to computing architecture and hardware, and the software used to exploit them.
It will also equip you with a strong background in discrete mathematics (logic, sets, relations and grammar), classical mathematics and statistics relevant to applications engineering and management.
Throughout the programme, you will attend laboratory and problem-solving classes, as well as completing project and design work. As the course progresses, you will study advanced techniques and modules – many of which draw on current research taking place in the Department.
At the end of your third year, you will gain valuable skills and experience by completing an industrial placement. Your study reaches Master's level in the final year, with a wide choice of optional modules and a substantial individual project on a subject of your choice.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
In your first year, you will study the following core modules.
Core modules
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Introduction to Databases
- Introduction to Computer Architecture
- Computing Practical 1
- Discrete Mathematics, Logic and Reasoning
- Graphs and Algorithms
- Calculus
- Linear Algebra
In your second year, you will study nine core modules.
You will also select one optional module.
Core modules
- Algorithm Design and Analysis
- Software Engineering Design
- Models of Computation
- Operating Systems
- Networks and Communications
- Compilers
- Probability and Statistics
- Computing Practical 2
- Computing Group Project
Optional modules
- Symbolic Reasoning
- Computational Techniques
In your third year, you will study the following core modules.
You will also select six optional modules. A minimum of two modules must be chosen from Group A.
Core modules
- Industrial Placement (First Part)
- I-Explore
Your I-Explore module offers you choices from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department. You will be taught alongside students from other courses, with options including business, management and many more.
The Industrial Placement does not contribute to your final degree classification.
Optional modules – Group A
- Data Processing Systems
- Network and Web Security
- The Theory and Practice of Concurrent Programming
- Distributed Algorithms
- Networked Systems
Optional modules – Group B
- System Performance Engineering
- Computer Vision
- Graphics
- Custom Computing
- Communicating Computer Science in Schools
- Advanced Computer Architecture
- Robotics
- Operations Research
- Type Systems for Programming Languages
- Introduction to Machine Learning
- Technical option from outside the Department of Computing
- Software Engineering Group Projects
Elective/technical modules from another Imperial degree programme may be allowed with the permission of the Director of undergraduate studies.
In your fourth year, you will study the following core modules.
You will also select a total of seven optional modules.
A minimum of two modules must be chosen from Group A, and a maximum of two modules may be chosen from Group C.
Core modules
- Individual Project
- Industrial Placement (Second Part)
Optional modules – Group A
- Software Reliability
- Software Engineering for Industry
- Privacy Engineering
- Advanced Computer Security
- Scalable Software Verification
Optional modules – Group B
- Scalable Systems and Data
- Principles of Distributed Ledgers
- Cryptography Engineering
- Advanced Computer Graphics
- Computational Finance
- Complexity
- Deep Learning
- Program Analysis
- Computational Optimisation
- Natural Language Processing
- Probabilistic Inference
- Mathematics for Machine Learning
- Machine Learning for Imaging
- Quantum Computing
- Reinforcement Learning
- Knowledge Representation
- Modal Logic for Strategic Reasoning in AI
- Advanced Computer Architecture
- Custom Computing
- Decentralised Finance
- Robot Learning
- Scheduling and Resource Allocation
Optional modules – Group C
- Communicating Computer Science in Schools
- Elective(s) from outside the Department of Computing
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures and tutorials
- Laboratory sessions
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 20% Lectures and tutorials
- 5% Laboratory sessions
- 75% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Laboratory-based teaching
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In-class problem solving
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Personal supervision of project work
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Practical
Year 1
- 10% Coursework
- 84% Examinations
- 6% Practical
Year 2
- 10% Coursework
- 57% Examinations
- 33% Practical
Year 3
- 8% Coursework
- 42% Examinations
- 50% Practical
Year 4
- 9% Coursework
- 50% Examinations
- 41% Practical
Assessment methods
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Programming exercises
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Computer-based programming tests
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Written coursework
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Computer-based coursework
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Examinations
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Software demonstrations
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Group work
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Written reports
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Research summaries
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Oral presentations
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
You can now submit your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.
UCAS institution code: I50
Application deadlines – 29 January 2025 at 18.00 (UK time)
Admissions test (TMUA)
To be considered for this course for 2025 entry, you will need to sit the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) as part of the application process.
Registration for the January 2025 test sitting closes on 23 December 2024. This is your last opportunity to sit the TMUA for 2025 entry.
Register by 23 December 2024 to sit the TMUA in January 2025
About TMUA
- Computer-based, multiple-choice test to assess your mathematical thinking and reasoning skills.
- You must sit this test in a Pearson VUE test centre.
- Create a UAT-UK account with Pearson VUE to book a test.
Key deadlines
October sitting (16 and 17 October 2024): Registration is now closed
January sitting (8 and 9 January 2025): Online registration is open from 24 October to 23 December 2024 (candidates requiring access arrangements must register by 21 November 2024)
Take the test just once as only your first score will count.
Test fee bursary
Applications are open for the UAT-UK bursary which covers the full-test fee for candidates in financial need who are permanently living in the UK and planning to take the test at a UK test centre.
Full details of eligibility criteria and how to apply are available on the UAT-UK website.
Access arrangements
Note: The deadline has now passed to apply for access arrangements for January 2025.
Access arrangements, for example, extra time or rest breaks, are available for students with learning difficulties, disabilities, and other medical conditions.
If this applies to you, you need to notify UAT-UK of your requirements before booking your test in one of Pearson VUE’s global network of test centres.
Once your access arrangements have been confirmed, you will be able to book your test online.
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
If your TMUA test performance is sufficient, this will be considered in conjunction with your UCAS application form. Your test score performance in combination with a full assessment of your application form will then inform the decisions of the admissions tutors of whether to make you an offer or not.
Interviews are not standard but may be offered to some candidates at the discretion of the admissions tutors.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Due to the shared core content in the first two years of all Computing degrees, it is usually possible to transfer to a different Computing course within the Department until the beginning of the third year.
Transfers from Computing to Joint Mathematics and Computing courses are normally not possible and are dealt with on a case by case basis.
If you wish to progress onto one of the MEng programmes in Year 3, you must achieve an overall average of 60% in your second year.
Transfer between the BEng in Mathematics and Computer Science and MEng in Mathematics and Computer Science is possible until the end of Year 2 subject to meeting certain minimum results criteria.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa.
Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Year abroad
Language requirement
Teaching is in the language of your host country in France and Germany, so you will need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before you go. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.
Availability
There are limited places available on the Year Abroad programme, which means that competition for selection is strong and a placement cannot be guaranteed.
Normally only students who are on track for at least a 2:1 will be eligible for placements in France and Germany. Only students on track to achieve a 1st will be eligible for placements in the USA.
Please note the list of universities located abroad that the Department currently has partnerships with is illustrative.
Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£9,535 per year
Important update for 2025 entry
The UK government has announced that, starting in April 2025, maximum tuition fees for Home undergraduate students in England will increase from £9,250 per year to £9,535. Find out more.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
The loan is paid directly to the university.
You will start repaying it only after you leave your course, have a job, and are earning above a certain amount.
Once the repayments start, the amount you pay each month depends on how much you earn, not on how much you owe in total.
Home students can apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help with their living costs.
In November 2024, the UK government announced a 3.1% increase in English Maintenance Loans for 2025-26.
How you apply for student finance depends on whether you have studied before and where you’re from or normally live. Find out more on the UK government's website.
The Imperial Bursary is available to all Home undergraduate students with a household income below £70,000 per year.
The amount awarded is based on your household income, with up to £5,000/year available for students from the lowest income households.
It's money which you don't need to pay back, and it's paid on top of any government funding you may also receive.
It is available for each year of your course, as long as your annual household income remains below £70,000.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£43,300 per year
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
96% Of Imperial Computing graduates in work or further study*
- 96% Of Imperial Computing graduates in work or further study*
- 4%
90% Of Imperial Computing graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 90% Of Imperial Computing graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 10%
*2021-22 graduate outcomes data, published by HESA in 2024
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Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in industry and academia.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Management consultancy, corporations, computer gaming and special effects are just some of your options.
Other potential career paths could include banking and finance.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 8267 / +44 (0)20 7594 9223
- Email: doc-ugadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Visit the Department of Computing website
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Request info
Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Course data
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications