Master’s Programme in Software Engineering
60 credits
- Period : 2021-January-18 until 2023-January-15
- Location: Some or all of education and examination is held at distance.
- Type of instruction: Distance, mixed-time, part-time 50%
- Language of instruction: The teaching language is English.
- Programme syllabus: Download
It is no longer possible to apply to this option
Meet future industry requirements with a degree that gives you deeper knowledge in software development – and greater opportunities to take on more responsibility and take on bigger challenges.
The programme is a possibility for software professionals to complete a university degree on distance in software engineering at a 50% pace during four semesters, focusing on rigorous and data-driven approach to software engineering.
Take the next step – develop and research
The master’s program gives you, who already work with software in some way, the possibilities to work as a software engineer, software architect or leader of a development team in a world-leading company. As the program is given on a part-time basis, you can combine work and studies.
Solve tomorrow’s challenges
You gain knowledge in developing software for products and services where high demands are placed on efficiency and quality. You gain competence in cloud work, machine learning, software security, research methodology and how to build and test software products as well as improve modern development processes.
Understand the whole process
The courses included in the programme range from planning with requirements gathering to final implementation, testing and introduction. You get an overall view of the complex process that software development entails. You gain knowledge and experience in both technology and methodology, and familiarise yourself with modern development processes and how to improve them.
In order to fulfil requirements regarding work experience, you need to attach employer certificate (in Swedish or in English) to your application at Universityadmissions. Please find the template certificate here.
The programme consists of 60 credits and leads to a Master’s degree.
The tuition fee is SEK 60 000 per semester, one semester corresponds to 30 ECTS credits. EU/EEA citizens are not required to pay fees.
Programme content
Software engineering
Degree project
Uncategorized courses
The programme prepares you to develop software that solves future complex challenges where the software works with other new technologies. You learn how to build and test software products, about modern development processes and how to continuously improve them.
The courses in the programme range from early planning with requirements gathering to final implementation, testing and introduction. You gain knowledge and experience in both technology and work methodology. The programme covers requirement engineering, testing, cloud computing, agile software development, machine learning, software security, and research methodology. The education also includes research preparatory courses in case you would like to do research in the field of software engineering.
The programme comprises 60 credits distributed over six courses and a thesis project at the end of the programme. The courses involve both individual and group work where you can work with and learn from other professionals all over the world.
Note! The course list is tentative. See the programme syllabus for an established course list.
Courses autumn semester 2021
Agile and Lean Development of Software Intensive Products, 7,5 credits
Applied Cloud Computing and Big Data, 7,5 credits
Courses spring semester 2021
Adaptive Lean Software Testing, 7,5 credits
Product and Requirements Management for Digital Environments, 7,5 credits
Courses spring semester 2022
Introduction to Security in the Software Development Lifecycle, 6 credits
Machine Learning Security, 6 credits
Research Methods and Master's Thesis (60 credits) in Software Engineering for Professionals, 18 credits
Admission
Admission Criteria
(This paragraph is a translation from Swedish of the approved method, “Antagningsordning” [Admission regulations], Dnr; BTH-1.2.1-0223-2017.)
METOD 1 General method
GENERAL
This method is simple and possesses a high degree of legitimacy and legal security. It works well
when the applicants are expected to have similar educational backgrounds.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Prior education.
SPECIFICATION OF SELECTION CRITERIA
Only the number of earned higher education credits documented by the applicant in conjunction
with the application will be considered. Foreign credits will be transferred according to the
guidelines established by the Swedish Council for Higher Education.
HIGHEST MERIT RATING
The merit rating consists of the total number of earned higher education credits and is calculated
in the interval 30 – 285 higher education credits.
WORKING METHOD
The selection can, to a large degree, be carried out mechanically. If all applicants with the lowest
equal merit rating cannot be offered a place, lots will be drawn.
Prior learning arrangements
No preparatory studies before the programme start is offered as the basic requirement is a bachelor degree.
Read more about admission here
Qualification Awarded
Degree of Master of Science (60 credits).
Main field of study: Software Engineering
Corresponding denomination in Swedish is
Filosofie magisterexamen.
Huvudområde: Programvaruteknik
Learing Outcome
Knowledge and understanding
Upon completion of the programme the student shall:
- demonstrate broad knowledge in the main field of software engineering, regarding methods and tools applied for software development,
- demonstrate in-depth knowledge in large-scale product development, requirements management and agile / lean software development of products and services,
- demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding in industrially relevant important areas such as machine learning, software security and big data,
- show in-depth methodological knowledge in the main area of software technology.
Skills and Abilities
Upon completion of the programme the student shall:
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and manage complex phenomena, issues and situations in the main field of software technology, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate issues as well as to plan and with adequate methods perform qualified tasks within given time frames
- demonstrate the ability to orally and in writing clearly present and in dialogue with different groups, discuss the conclusions and the knowledge and arguments that forms the basis,
- demonstrate the ability to either participate in research and development work or to work in other qualified activities within software development, such as in software security, data, quality or requirements analysis or other activities that require advanced analysis.
Judgement and approach
Upon completion of the programme the student shall:
- demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of software engineering with regard to relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects,
- demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work, such as in information security and in situations when handling personal data,
- demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of technology and science in the main field of software technology, its role in society and people's responsibility for how it is used,
- demonstrate the ability to identify the need for additional knowledge and to take responsibility for the knowledge development.
The study programmes at BTH are continuously monitored and developed through yearly follow-up dialogues, course evaluations after each completed course, and programme evaluations. Results from follow-ups and evaluations can lead to changes in the programmes. These changes are always communicated to the students.
Each educational programme is tied to an advisory board that discusses issues such as the quality of the programme, its development, and relevance for the labour market. In the advisory board, or a committee to the advisory board, teachers, external members, students and alumni are represented.
Being a software professional requires constant learning. This specialization promises to give you deeper insights into the different phases of software development, from requirements definition, through delivery and verification, including crucial knowledge in security and machine learning. Using this knowledge, you should be well set up for your future development as a software professional.
Anders Sundelin, Senior System Architect, Ericsson
Research
BTH is one of the highest ranked universities in the world in the research area applied software engineering. The focus of the work is to develop software that helps companies become more competitive. This Master’s programme is strongly linked to that research.
Do you have questions regarding the program?
You will find a detailed guide to the admission process at universityadmissions.se. If you have questions regarding admission and eligibility please have a look at our admissions website.
Yes, you can find the template here. The document needs to be signed by your employer.
The lecturers are pre-recorded and available for the students to watch in their own pace. There may be some online interactive sessions.
The program is conducted on a 50% pace. You are expected to put approximately 20 hours per week.
No. The program is offered 100% on distance.
Good to know
Look below for information about how to apply, entry requirements and important dates.