Most government and industry sectors rely heavily on software systems and the software engineers who develop and maintain them. Our BEng (Hons) Software Engineering course offers you the skills and knowledge needed for a career in this field. Software engineering is a truly global activity that concerns building and maintaining software systems and other computer-based solutions.
This course helps hone your creative thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills through realistic scenarios inspired by the industry experience of our tutors and professional software engineering contacts. We’ll support you in exploring the underlying principles of software engineering while helping you gain knowledge and practical experience of the latest technologies.
You’ll be encouraged to appreciate both the technical and managerial aspects of the subject, and you’ll have the opportunity to delve into the ethical and social issues involved in designing, developing and deploying new software systems.
From cutting-edge mobile apps to mission-critical enterprise systems, every organisation depends on effective and skilled software engineers. The Integrated Degree Programme, offered through Brussels College in collaboration with Western International College (WINC) (Western International College) and awarded by the University of Greater Manchester (UK), provides a seamless route from HND-level study to a full UK Bachelor’s degree. If you have completed the courses listed below at Brussels College, this pathway allows you to progress smoothly to honours-level study, gaining advanced knowledge and practical experience.
The Foundation Diploma in Digital Technologies provides an essential introduction to the world of computing, covering key concepts in networks, security, and software development. It prepares students for the academic demands of a technology-focused degree and builds a strong base for further progression.
This stage is not required if you already hold academic qualifications such as A-levels, IB, SAT, APs or an equivalent qualification.
If required, successful completion of the Foundation Diploma enables you to progress to Year 1 of the degree pathway.
In addition, you will obtain a regulated award: "Foundation in Digital Technologies"*
Duration: 1 academic year.
Delivered on campus.
*This is a 120 UCAS (60 ECTS) credit UK qualification Diploma delivered on campus by Brussels College, recognised internationally by universities and employers.
Year 1 introduces the core principles of software development and digital technologies. You will study cybersecurity, programming principles, and systems analysis, gaining insight into how different functions operate and connect within the IT industry.
Modules typically cover programming, network technology, and web/mobile applications. The focus is on building a broad understanding and the academic skills needed for further study.
Upon successful completion, you will obtain a recognised and regulated award: "Diploma in Digital Technologies (Level 4)"*
Duration: 1 academic year.
Delivered on campus.
*This is a 120 UCAS credit (60 ECTS)UK qualification Diploma delivered on campus by Brussels College, recognised internationally by universities and employers.
In Year 2, you will deepen your knowledge with a focus on advanced software engineering and database systems. This stage helps you understand more complex technical issues and prepares you for the challenges of advanced study.
Modules may include database systems, IT project management, and advanced systems analysis and design. You will apply theory to practical scenarios, building strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Upon successful completion, you will obtain a recognised and regulated award: "Diploma in Digital Technologies (Level 5)"*
Duration: 1 academic year.
Delivered on campus.
*This is a UK qualification Diploma delivered on campus by Brussels College, recognised internationally by universities and employers. WINC (Western International College)
The final stage of the Integrated Degree Programme allows you to progress from the HND-level qualifications completed at Brussels College to a full UK Bachelor’s degree.
You will explore advanced areas of software engineering including object-oriented programming, data structures, and software quality assurance. The curriculum is designed in line with current industry needs and aims to enhance your employability in an international context.
Upon successful completion of this Top-Up stage, you will be awarded the internationally recognised "BEng (Hons) Software Engineering".
This stage is delivered through our integrated model, combining the Top-Up modules delivered by WINC with additional local courses and internships at Brussels College in Belgium, leading to the final award conferred by the University of Greater Manchester (UK)*.
Duration: 1 academic year.
*These modules by WINC are delivered via distance learning, with the degree awarded by the University of Greater Manchester (UK). Progression is subject to meeting the entry and academic requirements set by WINC and the University of Greater Manchester.
*Contact us for more information.
Brussels College: [email protected]
WINC: tba
UoGM: tba
Upon graduation, you will be well-equipped to take on roles in the software engineering sector, such as software developer, systems analyst, DevOps engineer, QA engineer, or project manager. The course provides the practical skills and professional mindset needed for this in-demand global industry.
Modules are presented by study year. They may include a mix of compulsory and optional units and can be subject to change.
Core concepts of hardware, software and data; how computers represent and process information; introduction to operating systems and development environments.
Essential discrete maths, logic, sets, functions, matrices and basic statistics underpinning algorithms, data structures and problem-solving.
Structured programming, variables and types, control flow, functions and basic data handling using an industry-relevant language.
Principles of computer networks, internet protocols, basic security threats and safe practices for systems and data.
Introduction to relational models, SQL, normalisation and how applications store, query and manage data.
Web foundations (HTML, CSS, basic scripting), accessibility and responsive principles to build simple interactive pages.
User-centred design, prototyping and usability testing to create intuitive, accessible digital experiences.
Introductory analytics workflow: data collection, cleaning, visualisation and simple insights for decision-making.
Basic cloud concepts, service models and deployment patterns; using cloud services to host simple applications.
Communication, teamwork, presentation and portfolio skills for academic and workplace success.
Threats, vulnerabilities, cryptography fundamentals and secure practices to protect systems, applications and data.
Core programming constructs, problem decomposition and style; build confidence through testable, incremental exercises.
Requirements elicitation, modelling (e.g., UML), and design techniques to translate needs into effective software solutions.
Front-end and basic back-end development, responsive interfaces and platform considerations for mobile delivery.
Computer architecture, operating system concepts and fundamentals of networking for robust application deployment.
Information lifecycle, governance, basic analytics and compliance considerations in digital business contexts.
Each unit is worth 20 credits. Students complete all six units (120 credits) at Year 1.
Lifecycle models, agile and plan-driven approaches, version control, CI/CD and documentation for scalable delivery.
Relational design and SQL proficiency with exposure to NoSQL models and performance considerations.
Architectural styles, design patterns, API-led integration and documentation for complex systems.
How organisations use information systems for operations, analytics and decision support; governance and ethics.
Networked architectures, services and security to support distributed applications and enterprise connectivity.
Project planning, risk, estimation, stakeholder management and delivery using industry-recognised methods.
Each unit is worth 20 credits. Students complete all six units (120 credits) at Year 2.
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
Principles, methods and tools of software engineering, development lifecycle models and modern team practices.
Core programming constructs, functions and basic data handling underpinning advanced software development.
Relational design, SQL proficiency and development workflows to build reliable, scalable data stores.
Modern front-end and back-end stacks, usability and performance to deliver full-stack web applications.
Classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism and encapsulation applied to robust application design.
Core structures and algorithms with an emphasis on complexity, efficiency and practical implementation.
Testing strategies, verification and validation, automation and quality management across the lifecycle.
Processes, threads, memory, file systems and concurrency; applied labs for real-world OS behaviour.
Security objectives, access control, network and application security, and secure development practices.
Design, build and deploy apps for mobile platforms with attention to UX, performance and security.
A substantial capstone project synthesising knowledge across modules to deliver a working software solution.
Note: All applications are assessed individually by Brussels College. Meeting the typical requirements does not guarantee admission; additional documents (e.g., transcripts, ID, references) may be requested.