MEng Software Engineering with Artificial Intelligence (with a Year in Industry) at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

This integrated Master's covers the design, development, deployment and operation of large-scale software systems and the engineering of AI into them, to Master's level, with a full paid year in industry. AI, cyber security and cloud computing are core, and in the final year students lead a substantial research and development project with one-to-one supervision.

Department: School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | Duration: 5 years full-time | Intake: September 2027 | Study mode: full-time (integrated, with placement/industry year) | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Service-oriented architecture and large-scale systems development, optional software design patterns, software testing and secure software development, advanced AI modules (machine learning, video analytics, responsible generative AI) and Master's-level options such as fairness, interpretability and privacy in machine learning and energy-efficient computing.

Career pathways

Employers on the Professional Advisory Board include Rapid7, Citi, CME Group and Kainos; the School has links with hundreds of employers including BT, Liberty IT and Options IT.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including at least one preferred subject, or AAA including at least one relevant subject, plus GCSE Mathematics C/4. IB: 34 points including 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a preferred subject, or 36 points including 6,6,6 with a relevant subject. Irish Leaving Certificate: H2H3H3H3H3H3 (preferred subject at H3) or H2H2H3H3H3H3 (relevant subject at H3), plus Ordinary Level O4 Mathematics if not at Higher. BTEC Extended Diploma: D*D*D in a relevant computing subject, or D*D*D* in a relevant engineering or science subject. Graduate entry: minimum 2:1 provided subject requirements are met. Maximum one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate counted in an A-level portfolio. MEng applicants who do not meet MEng requirements are automatically considered for the BEng. GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 required. Computer Science, Computing/IT and Software Engineering share a common first-year core so transfer is possible at the end of year 1. Preferred A-level subjects: Mathematics, Computing or Software Systems Development; relevant subjects: Chemistry, Digital Technology, ICT, Physics, Technology and Design or Double Award Applied ICT. Typically at least six GCSEs at B/6 or above were expected for MEng entry last year; interviews are not normally required. International applicants: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 28,500 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other fee; placement year fees not stated Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 5 years full-time

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