BEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year, online in 18 months
A UK bachelor degree for working professionals. Study around your job, submit assignments instead of sitting exams, and graduate with a degree awarded by a UK university partner.
£10 to apply · Offer within 24 hours · Apply with qualifications or relevant work experience
Stanmore School of Business Limited — UK registered learning provider since 2017.
- Duration
- 18 months
- Credits
- 480
- Level
- FHEQ Level 6
- Assessment
- Assignment-based (no written exams)
- Start date
- Any time
- Fees from
- £478.57 / month
Built for people who already work
The BEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year is a UK bachelor’s degree delivered 100% online by LEAP Education and awarded by a UK university partner with degree-awarding powers. The programme totals 480 credits at FHEQ Level 6 and is assessed entirely by assignment, with no written examinations.
Standard completion is 18 months. You can start at any time, study around full-time work and submit coursework online. Fees from £6,700 with interest-free instalment plans. Graduates progress to postgraduate study or senior management roles.
Enterprise CTOs are increasingly rejecting self-taught candidates for senior engineering roles because they cannot verify systematic design thinking under pressure. The market has shifted from valuing raw coding speed to demanding the architectural discipline that only formal engineering accreditation provides.
You move from executing isolated tasks to owning the full software development lifecycle, including security compliance and scalable system architecture. This qualification enables you to lead technical design reviews, manage complex deployment pipelines, and command the respect of non-technical stakeholders in multinational organizations. You gain the specific credential required to bypass entry-level filters and step directly into lead developer or engineering management positions.
Key facts
- Qualification:
- BEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year
- Level:
- FHEQ Level 6
- Credits:
- 480
- Study mode:
- 100% online
- Duration:
- 18 months
- Assessment:
- Assignment-based (no written exams)
- Fees from:
- £478.57 / month
- Entry requirements:
- A Level 3 qualification or equivalent, or equivalent; or relevant experience. Minimum age 18.
- Last verified:
- 5 September 2026 by Dr Namita Singh, Head of Academics
3 stages, one award
Each stage builds towards the final award. Complete every stage to graduate with 480 credits.
Foundations
Principles of management, marketing, finance and people. Equivalent to Year 1 of a UK degree.
120 credits
Applied practice
Operations, HR, law and research skills. Equivalent to Year 2.
120 credits
Honours year
Strategy, international business and a research project leading to the honours award.
120 credits → Graduation
What you'll study
Introduction to Software Engineering
Aligns your workflow with global development standards, enabling immediate integration into cross-border engineering teams without cultural or process friction.
Programming Fundamentals
Establishes the technical fluency required to contribute to legacy and modern codebases across diverse international technology stacks.
Data Structures and Algorithms
Equips you to architect high-efficiency solutions that scale under global user loads, a decisive factor in senior engineering interviews and performance reviews.
Computer Systems and Architecture
Enables you to troubleshoot complex infrastructure bottlenecks and optimize resource allocation in distributed international cloud environments.
Software Design Patterns and Principles
Standardizes your approach to code architecture, allowing you to lead refactoring efforts and enforce maintainability in multinational development teams.
Human-Computer Interaction
Sharpens your ability to design inclusive digital experiences that resonate with culturally diverse user bases, directly impacting product adoption rates.
Database Systems and Management
Ensures you can design secure, compliant data architectures that meet strict international regulatory requirements like GDPR and CCPA.
Web Development Fundamentals
Builds the capability to deliver responsive, accessible web platforms that perform consistently across global network conditions and devices.
Operating Systems and Security
Develops the technical authority to implement robust security protocols that protect organizational assets against sophisticated international cyber threats.
Software Engineering Project Management
Trains you to navigate stakeholder dynamics and deliver predictable outcomes in agile environments, positioning you for technical leadership roles.
Every module is assessed by written assignments submitted online, with tutor feedback and sample assignments to guide you.
Two ways in
Qualifications
A Level 3 qualification or equivalent, or an international equivalent. Higher qualifications are also accepted.
Work experience
Candidates with 2+ years of relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply. Your practical knowledge counts.
Minimum age 18. International applicants welcome. Send us your certificates and we'll confirm eligibility within 24 hours.
Fully online
No campus visits. Study on any device, in any time zone.
Materials included
Study notes, sample assignments and resources from day one.
24/7 study assistant
Instant explanations and assignment guidance from our AI study assistant.
Tutor feedback
Qualified tutors mark assignments and give feedback by email and chat.
Where this can take you
Designed for working professionals who need a recognised qualification to move into supervisory, management or specialist roles.
Choose your pace
All plans are interest-free and include every module, study material and tutor support. A £10 enrolment fee applies.
| Most popular18 monthsfast track | Most popular24 monthssemi fast track | 36 monthsregular | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total fee | £6,700 | £5,900 | £5,900 |
| Monthly | £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.59 (total £6,700) | £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.74 (total £5,900) | £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.83 (total £5,900) |
| Quarterly | £1,675 × 4 | £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.35 (total £5,900) | £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.52 (total £5,900) |
| Half-yearly | £2,233.33 + £2,233.33 + £2,233.34 (total £6,700) | £1,475 × 4 | £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.35 (total £5,900) |
| Pay in full | £6,365 (save 5%) | £5,605 (save 5%) | £5,605 (save 5%) |
| Apply | Apply | Apply |
- Monthly£478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.57 + £478.59 (total £6,700)
- Quarterly£1,675 × 4
- Half-yearly£2,233.33 + £2,233.33 + £2,233.34 (total £6,700)
- Pay in full£6,365 (save 5%)
- Monthly£327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.78 + £327.74 (total £5,900)
- Quarterly£983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.35 (total £5,900)
- Half-yearly£1,475 × 4
- Pay in full£5,605 (save 5%)
- Monthly£210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.71 + £210.83 (total £5,900)
- Quarterly£655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.56 + £655.52 (total £5,900)
- Half-yearly£983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.33 + £983.35 (total £5,900)
- Pay in full£5,605 (save 5%)
* Programme fees shown include online learning, study materials and tutor support for the qualification. A separate £10 enrolment fee is payable when you submit your application. Interest-free instalment plans and a 5% discount for paying the full programme fee upfront are available where shown.
Need a different payment plan? Our admissions team can help.
Talk to an adviser on WhatsApp →Who awards your qualification
Your BEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year is awarded by a UK university partner with degree-awarding powers; the awarding university is named in your offer letter. LEAP Education, a brand of Stanmore School of Business Limited, supports your admission, learning and tutoring.
Degree level
FHEQ Level 6 on the UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications — the same level as a campus award.
Provider
Stanmore School of Business Limited · Company No. 10591140 · UKPRN 10085235. UK Register of Learning Providers
Start in three steps
- 01
Apply online
Complete the short form and pay the £10 enrolment fee. About five minutes.
- 02
Receive your offer
We confirm eligibility and email your start date and payment options.
- 03
Start learning
Pay your first instalment and get access to your modules.
Insights and Q&A
Extra detail beyond this page — written for learners researching fees, assessment and outcomes.
Common questions
Is this a real UK degree?
Yes. On successful completion you receive a UK degree awarded by a UK university partner with degree-awarding powers. The awarding university is confirmed in your offer letter.
Can I study from outside the UK?
Yes. The programme is 100% online with no campus visits, so you can study from anywhere in the UK or internationally.
Are there any exams?
No. Every unit is assessed through written assignments submitted online. There are no written examinations.
What are the entry requirements?
Applicants should hold a Level 3 qualification or equivalent or an equivalent credential. Candidates with 2+ years of relevant professional experience are also encouraged to apply. Minimum age 18.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
You can choose 18 months (fast track, £6,700); 24 months (semi fast track, £5,900); 36 months (regular, £5,900). Interest-free instalment plans are available on each option.
When can I start?
You can enrol at any time. Once your application is accepted and the first payment is made, you receive access to the learning platform and study materials.
Who operates LEAP Education?
LEAP Education is a brand of Stanmore School of Business Limited (Company No. 10591140, UKPRN 10085235), a UK learning provider.
Last reviewed 5 September 2026 by Dr Namita Singh, Head of Academics
Get the full course guide
Units, fees, payment plans and start dates, sent to your inbox in minutes.
- Detailed unit and assessment breakdown
- Payment plans for every duration option
- Eligibility check for UK and international qualifications
Download the BEng (Hons) Software Engineering with Foundation Year - 18 months brochure
Fees, payment plans, units and progression routes, all in one PDF. We’ll also email you a copy.