software engineering at uni

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to study Interactive Media and Web Technologies and wanted to ask how people have found the balance between theory and practical coding on similar courses.
I already have some experience with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, but I’m curious whether universities focus more on front-end design, backend logic, or a mix of both.
Any advice or personal experiences would really help, thank you!

hi! I was thinking of taking a software engineering degree in university.

I was wondering what A-Levels + extracurriculars / the pathway was for those who are taking / have taken it.

I know some universities don't accept BTECs (and at my school Computer Science is a BTEC) so how did some people deal with that?

Hey there! This can depend on which University you are aiming to apply to as some do have explicit requirements, mainly regarding the need for A-level Mathematics. It is important to note that not taking this is not a requirement for every University.
I took the route of a-levels: Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science though its quite common for students to also do further maths. In terms of BTECs, the following may be good options to explore: Computing or Information Technology. I have multiple friends who came to Staffs after taking these. Some students decide to combine BTEC with a-levels too!
What matters to some Universities is more your UCAS grades and passion. Nowadays you will find that many students are career changers, coming from courses that may have no background in tech. Universities are starting to accommodate for this with courses that cover everything you need to know from Year 1 onwards. Not taking A-levels is not the end of the world!
In terms of extracurriculars: build a portfolio, practice on websites e.g. leetcode, Codecademy, forage simulations, practice math competitions, attend hackathons, watch/sign up for online courses and practice your knowledge. Do read up on University requirements and module descriptors beforehand to ensure that you are aligned with the options you want to take! Open days are also a brilliant opportunity to get to know departments.
Hope that helps,
Aura (Uni of Staffs Comp Sci Student Rep)

CS (at A-level or otherwise) isn't required for many software engineering and computer science degrees. Most commonly A-level Maths is required, and FM may be necessary or preferable for a small handful. Your third (and second if not taking FM and not applying to e.g. Oxbridge/Imperial) subjects beyond are often not important and they just care about your grades in those.

Do you think taking FM would put me in a better position for top universities (like Russel Group universities) that may not necessarily be Oxbridge/Imperial?

Don't think it really matters much outside of those three.
Of course, it would still be useful preparation for the course in terms of actually succeeding on the course once you get in - admission is just the first step of getting an undergraduate degree!

I see, okay! Have you taken FM yourself? I'm not sure how different the subject is to regular Maths but I was thinking of taking it as well.

No, although I did study some of the topics when I was doing engineering a fair while back...!
I think at A-level it's just more, and more advanced, maths? I don't think there's much fundamental difference in the nature of the maths presented, although I think they do a little basic introduction to proof in FM which is probably a little different to the regular kind of problem solving maths you'll be used to in A-level Maths and the other FM topics I would expect.
But I have no personal experience of either (since I also did IB and not A-levels, again long time ago...).
I'm just commenting on the usefulness of the material covered in relation to the course (or at least, some of the topics)

hi! I was thinking of taking a software engineering degree in university.
I was wondering what A-Levels + extracurriculars / the pathway was for those who are taking / have taken it.
I know some universities don't accept BTECs (and at my school Computer Science is a BTEC) so how did some people deal with that?