Admission criteria for postgraduate study in software engineering at Oxford

Last week I've taken the final exams of my undergraduate study at the University of Central Lancashire (http://www.uclan.ac.uk/scitech/computing_engineering_physical/courses/bsc_hons_computing.php). I'm feeling rather confident about the result of the examination, though I'm afraid that it won't meet the requirements for a first class degree. That means that I expect at least a 2i degree, however, I'm not sure if that degree is worth enough to think about applying to the University of Oxford for postgraduate study (don't know anything about the reputation of the UCLAN as I've studied by distance learning).

However, I've already worked as software engineer for several years now and in the course of that I've acquired several certificates as well. Do you think that will suffice? I really don't know what's required as the brochure just states the following: "A typical applicant might have an undergraduate degree in a related subject, and at least two years’ experience of software development in an industrial context."

Is there anyone who has chosen to study software engineering at Oxford who can tell me more about the admission criteria?

Reply 1

GraveMentor

For what it's worth, I was on the Software Engineering programme before becoming a full-time DPhil student, and my first degree class was a 2i. Based on your predicted grade and your previous experience, it sounds like you meet the admission criteria. During your interview, you will get to talk in more detail about your background and your expectations.

Reply 2

unkreativ

Thanks for your answer. By any chance, do you know any statistics showing the number of applications per place or something like that? I'm just wondering if there's a realistic chance of being accepted just by meeting the mentioned admission criteria (couldn't believe that there's a MSc programme at Oxford that doesn't require a first class degree :woo:

). However, I'm feeling even more confident by now and I'm really looking forward to next autumn. :yes:

Reply 3

Aemilius

well grades is only one thing. as long as you meet the critera you'll have a chance. the way to impress is with an exceptional personal statement. work hard on it!

Reply 4

GraveMentor

I've got no idea of what the statistics are re: applications per place, but I suspect it isn't as high as, say, the full-time Computer Science MSc because:
1. It's a part-time course. Full-time courses have limited capacity because of the requirement for each student to be a member of a college. On the Software Engineering programme, you don't become a member of a college until you transfer from the Postgrad Certificate to the MSc. Even then, most students end up at Kellogg which is catered for part-time students.
2. It's an expensive course. You pay somewhere in the region of 17K over a 3 or so year period. This makes the programme somewhat more expensive than the 1 year, full-time Comp Sci MSc.

Reply 5

unkreativ

Thanks for your answers, in the meanwhile I've been offered an interview and as GraveMentor already mentioned that during the interview "you will get to talk in more detail about your background and your expectations" I wanted to know if there's anything else I should be aware of? Is it really just an informal chat about that?

Reply 6

arisilia

I have been recently offered an interview at Msc Software Engineering Oxford. Can you remember any of the questions asked during the interview?

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