Software Engineering

The MSc in Software Engineering teaches the principles of modern software engineering, together with the tools, methods and techniques that support their application. It offers working professionals the opportunity to learn more about the technological advances that are changing their lives, through a course of part-time study at one of the world's leading universities.

The programme offers short courses in more than 35 different subjects: from requirements engineering to object-oriented programming; from security principles to the management of risk and quality; from software engineering mathematics to database design.

These courses may be used as credit towards a master’s degree. The award requires the successful completion of 10 courses, together with a master’s-level project and dissertation.

Each course is delivered by an expert in the subject, and includes an intense teaching week of classes, practical sessions, and group work; class sizes are kept small to facilitate interaction and to promote effective learning. Each subject is taught at least once a year - some are taught two or three times - and most can be studied in any order.

An assignment will be distributed on the last day of the teaching week. This has a dual purpose: it continues the learning process of the week, allowing you to test and extend your own understanding through application outside the classroom, in completing a personal "mini-project"; it also provides, through the subsequent submission within a six-week time frame, the basis for a formal assessment of ability and understanding. Assignments are treated as examinations of the University of Oxford.

In addition to the taught part, you must complete an extended project. Although the project needs to be an original demonstration of ability and understanding, there is no requirement to advance the state of the art in the field. You need only choose and apply an appropriate selection of existing ideas and techniques—provided that their choice, the process of application, and any outcomes are properly explained. New ideas and techniques are welcome, but they are not expected. The project component involves compulsory attendance at a project module in Oxford, at which you will present and refine your proposal, and attend teaching sessions on research skills, engineering in context, and social, legal and ethical issues.

The results of the project work are presented in a short dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words, or 45-60 pages. This forms the basis for formal assessment of the project, just as the written assignments form the basis for assessment of the taught modules. The dissertation can be submitted at any time during the allowed period of study, although it is usually the last piece of work you will submit before being examined.

You will be assigned a supervisor at the beginning of your period of study. Supervisors can provide advice on all academic matters, including course selection and examination entry. Supervisors will also provide guidance on the choice of a suitable MSc project, and on the preparation of a dissertation.

The programme also offers an alternative master’s degree, the MSc in Software and Systems Security, available to those who take the majority of their courses, and their MSc project and dissertation, in this area.

You will need to provide us with the following:

1. personal information and contact details
2. your current cv (two or three pages will suffice)
3. a brief statement of your reasons for applying
4. details of previous higher (university-level) education
5. information regarding nationality and citizenship
6. language information and language test results (if applicable)
7. the names and addresses of two referees

As soon as you've provided the first two items, we should be in a position to determine whether you appear likely to meet the programme admission criteria in terms of previous education and experience, and we'll be happy to provide some initial advice on this basis: simply click "request a review" on the website.

Making your application

Before you submit your application, you need to provide all of the information mentioned above, and upload appropriate, supporting evidence: you should provide transcripts for any previous university-level education that you've mentioned, and provide test certificates for any language tests that you've referred to. As soon as you've done this, you can apply by clicking "submit my application" on the last page of the on-line application form. You will need to pay the University application fee (currently £75) at this point.

Your interview

We will offer an interview to any applicant who appears to meet the admission criteria (see below), either in person or (in the case of overseas applicants only) via telephone or videoconference. You can request an early interview as soon as you've provided your contact details and uploaded your cv: simply click on the button on the form. Otherwise, we will contact you to arrange an interview when your application arrives.

If you request an early interview, we'll also review the combination of education and experience described on your cv; if it doesn't look as if it would be enough, we'll let you know right away. We would prefer you to complete your application before the interview, but if you're having difficulty in obtaining transcripts, we'll happily interview you on the basis of the information you've provided.

References

We will consider references from anyone in a position to comment on your readiness for postgraduate study. It would be good if one of your referees were able to comment on your academic ability or previous education, and the other were able to comment on your professional experience. A reference from your current employer or line manager is always welcome.

You can ask your referees to send their recommendations to us directly: by post, or by email. You can obtain and forward their recommendations yourself only if they are presented in a sealed envelope, with the referee's signature across the seal, and a piece of clear tape over the signature and the seal.

Accessibility

The University requires you to apply online. Paper applications are only acceptable in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible for you to apply online. If you do have an exceptional need to use a paper form, please contact Graduate Admissions and Funding / +44 (0) 1865 270059.

A range of assistive measures are in place to support applications from students with disabilities – for example, a paper application will be accepted where necessitated by an applicant's disability. Further information on this support is available for applicants with disabilities.

For more information, see the application guide.

Admission criteria

To be accepted for postgraduate study in software engineering (or software and systems security), you should have:

• at least two years' close engagement with software (or security) issues in a professional environment (but see below);
• a university-level qualification in a related subject (but see below);
• a good command of both written and spoken English;
• an appreciation of the challenges and practices in software engineering (or in software and systems security);
• an appropriate level of logical, mathematical, or analytical skills;
• a good understanding of the nature of the programme, and the level of commitment required;
• the support of their employer, if necessary, in embarking on this course of study.

More extensive experience may compensate for the lack of a related qualification, and a strong, immediately-relevant qualification—e.g. in engineering or computing—may compensate for a lack of experience.