Master of Science - Software Engineering with Management Studies (Professional Placement)

Some of the most challenging problems in industry and commerce are associated with software development. Students will examine all stages of the software development life cycle at an advanced level. They will study software project management and business processes, software architecture and design aspects, implementation and software construction, testing and quality assurance. They will also acquire the practical skills for planning and implementing systems development projects. These projects will meet customer needs and integrate software solutions into the business environment. Through a project dissertation, students will study an area of interest in depth. This can offer valuable industry experience.

The British Computer Society (BCS) accredits this course. This means that students can gain some exemption against BCS professional examinations, leading to Chartered membership and CEng, IEng or CSci status. The Software Engineering course can be combined with Management Studies enabling students to set their technical knowledge in a management context and enable them to work effectively with business managers to develop systems for business advantage.

Kingston University allow students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; the University cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. Students may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important for students to prepare and apply themselves if this is the route they wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.

The Faculty has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements. Graduates work for organisations such as IBM, Hewlett Packard, Capgemini, JDA Software, Ernst & Young, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Virgin Media, Sky and the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.