Software Engineering

Software is everywhere: from spacecraft to smart watches. Software Engineers design, develop, maintain and oversee complex software-intensive projects while assuring their quality.
software engineering

Why study Software Engineering?

These highly interconnected systems must meet multiple requirements, including correctness, usability, performance, safety and security. They leverage technologies, such as cloud, web, database, networks, mobile, IoT and embedded systems.

During your studies at Waikato, you'll develop an understanding of reliable processes and formal methods for software engineering. You'll learn how to use systematic techniques to test software systems. You'll develop the skills you need to be able to prove that safety-critical systems operate correctly under all possible operating conditions.

You'll work with a range of software systems, from operating systems and networks to real-time and embedded systems. You'll learn about distributed and parallel systems. You'll also develop knowledge and skills relating to engineering, scientific and business application software.

There's a strong connection between critical, complex systems and the people who use them or are affected by them. At Waikato, the relationship between systems and human interaction is emphasised.

You'll be able to develop your professional skills by doing 800 hours of real-world work experience. This work is supported by the Cooperative Education Unit. You'll be able to work on major research design projects which have a commercial focus and have an opportunity to showcase your work to industry at the annual Oji Fibre Solutions Engineering Design Show.

You can complete a BE(Hons) in Software Engineering at the University of Waikato. This is an innovative four-year degree. In the first year, you start with programming and building model boats. You progress to advanced programming techniques and computer hardware labs in the second year. In the final two years, you learn a wide variety of software development skills.  As well as these skills, during the degree you’ll study design, marketing and engineering management.

Career Opportunities

  • Chartered Software Engineer
  • Usability Engineer
  • Requirements Engineer
  • Quality Assurance Engineer
  • Cloud Engineer
  • Cyber Security Engineer
  • Embedded Systems Engineer
  • Software Architect
  • Software Researcher

Study Software Engineering in these qualifications

Accreditation

The Software Engineering programme is fully accredited under the Washington Accord.

Computing facilities at Waikato

The computing facilities at the University of Waikato are among the best in New Zealand, with a range of devices for mobile application development to cluster computers for massively parallel processing.

You will also have 24 hour access to computer labs equipped with all the latest computer software.

Build a successful career

As a Software Engineer, you can work in a wide range of roles, from building and maintaining traditional applications to developing the programs that drive newer devices. There is demand in a range of industries, from healthcare software, to entertainment and telecommunications.

Scholarships and prizes

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

Software Engineering papers