Software Engineering (Graduate Apprenticeship) BSc
As a Graduate Apprentice in Software Engineering you can gain a university qualification at the same level as those studying traditional degree programmes, while applying your learning in the workplace. As you are employed you also benefit from a salary.
Why be a Graduate Apprentice?
- Enjoy all the benefits of student life: study alongside your peers, access student support services and university resources, and learn from leading experts in their fields.
- Earn a full-time salary, even when undertaking blocks of study.
- No student fees: this programme is fully funded for eligible students by the Scottish Funding Council via the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
You can apply directly to our diverse range of partner employers (meaning your UCAS applications are not affected).
- September start
- Session dates
- Software Engineering (Graduate Apprenticeship) BSc (Hons) 4 year degree
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus and Your workplace
Programme structure
Our Graduate Apprenticeship programme combines the theoretical computing science that our traditional Software Engineering degree covers with bespoke work-based learning courses and experience. It has been developed by the pioneering Centre for Computing Science Education through extensive consultation with employers to ensure that it meets the needs of industry.
Year 1
The first block of teaching will provide the skills and tools required for you to quickly pick up whichever language is prominent in your workplace, supplemented by a course covering the fundamentals of professional software development. The second block of teaching will consist of testing fundamentals and web application development courses, with the intention of providing you with tools to improve existing software.
Year 2
Year 2 will begin with a teaching block on a range of subjects, including data storage, systems and underlying algorithmic content to broaden your understanding of the wider computing field. The second teaching block will focus on topics including data science and user interaction, with a further course on professional software engineering.
Years 3 and 4
In years 3 and 4 you will be able to select from Honours or Masters electives offered to students on the traditional Software Engineering BSc (Hons) programme to make up 60 credits per year (three 10-credit courses per semester). Honours courses will be offered online or on campus. The remaining credits will be assessed in the form of long-term projects and assignments in the workplace, agreed upon by employers and the lecturers on the programme.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2025
Summary of entry requirements for Software Engineering (Graduate Apprenticeship)
All candidates must hold an offer of employment with one of our Partner Employers and be eligible for SAAS funding, so this course is not suitable for international candidates or normally for candidates from the rest of the UK*.
*Candidates from the rest of the UK may be eligible if they are resident in Scotland from 1 August 2025.
SQA Higher Entry Requirements
- BBBB or above achieved by S6.
- Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics at B or above. Highers should include two Science subjects.
SQA Higher Adjusted Entry Requirements
- No Adjusted Higher Requirements. We do, however, recognise alternative routes to study: see Access Glasgow for eligibility.
A-level Standard Entry Requirements
- AAB – BBB
- Additional requirements: A-level Mathematics.
IB Standard Entry Requirements
- 34 (6,5,5 HL)
- Additional requirements: HL Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches).
HND or HNC
- Grade B achieved in Computing, Software Development or Computer Games Development
- All the above MUST include the Maths Calculus Module OR candidates must have Higher Maths at B or above.
Modern Apprentice
- Merit or Distinction achieved in Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Professionals SCQF Level 8
- Higher Maths at B or above.
Admissions guidance
English language
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
School Qualifications
- IGCSE English First Language, grade C
- IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
- A Level English, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
International School Qualifications
- Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
- Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
- European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
- Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
- France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
- Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
- Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
- Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
- Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
- Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
- Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
- Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
- South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
- Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C
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Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
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Pre-sessional courses
We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
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FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
Our Software Engineering students are in demand across all sectors of the industry and, with a degree of equivalent standing plus several years’ work experience, we expect our Graduate Apprentices to be highly employable. There is also a strong possibility that the company with which Graduate Apprentices are based for the duration of their studies will be kept on following graduation, although this will depend on individual circumstances.
Fees and funding
All students applying for a Graduate Apprenticeship also apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have their tuition fees paid. SAAS pays tuition fees for Graduate Apprentices directly to the university in the same way that fees for other Higher Education (HE) courses are managed.
The eligibility requirements for SAAS funding for Graduate Apprenticeships are broader than for other HE courses.
Rather than receiving a student loan or bursary for living expenses from SAAS, you will receive a fulltime salary from Year 1 above the living wage from the employer you are working with.
How to apply
The application process sits outside UCAS. You apply directly to our employer partners and we will support you through this process.
If you are interested in applying, we recommend that you contact the Graduate Apprenticeship Team who can provide advice on current opportunities with our employer partners as well as support you with your applications to employers. You can also choose apply directly to most of our partner employers.
Visit Graduate Apprenticeships for more information on how we can support your application and to view current vacancies.
Employers will advertise vacancies from November to July for the course beginning in October.
Subject league tables
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Computer Science]
Related programmes
Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
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