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Computer Systems Engineering with an Industrial Placement Year

Course details
  • BEng (Hon)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with year in industry
  • 28 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

You will study in Sheffield for the first two years of your course learning about the fields that are essential to computer systems, including mathematics, control systems, embedded systems and programming. In your third year you will have the opportunity to put into practice what you’ve learnt by working for a year in an engineering placement before returning to Sheffield for your final year studying modules in specialist areas such as system design and security and intelligent systems.

Launch your career as an engineer with this four-year BEng in Computer Systems Engineering that brings together design, robotics and programming with a year-long industrial placement.

Informed by our world-leading research and designed in collaboration with our industry partners, this course gives you the best start as a systems engineer.

You’ll complement new skills in computer software and hardware with a deep understanding of systems design. You’ll also use industry-standard equipment to learn about state-of-the-art applications in infrastructure, medicine and aviation.

The first year gives you solid grounding in the theory of complex electro-mechanical systems and a fundamental understanding of mathematics and computing.

The second year focuses on core modules such as programming (including C++, Python and Java) and data modelling alongside a practical project – designing a system using 3D CAD tools, and building your designs in our iForge Makerspace.

Year three puts your academic study into context, as you gain work experience and improve your employability prospects with one of our industry partners.

Your final year will see you combining specialist modules like intelligent systems and cybersecurity with a massive range of optional modules – chosen according to your personal passion and career aspirations.

This all builds to an advanced project, where you’ll work one-on-one with an academic, deepening your technical knowledge and developing your expertise in a range of engineering techniques.

Why study this course?

  • Go on to great things - 92% of graduates from the department are in work or further education 15 months after completing their course. Sheffield-trained engineers are now working for companies including Rolls-Royce, Siemens and Airbus.

  • Integrated and holistic content - from foundations in programming, robotics and automation to advanced topics such as deep learning and multi-agent systems.

  • Expert academic staff - learn from people with research experience in the robotics industry and who specialise in programming, intelligent systems and cybersecurity.

  • Advanced, hands-on experience - practical experience of computer software and hardware during your industrial placement with companies such as ARM, Siemens and Boeing, along with access to industry-standard facilities including 3D CAD tools, 3D printers and advanced manufacturing technologies.

  • Get noticed by future employers - study modules designed with our industry partners – spanning topics such as embedded systems and artificial intelligence, industrial control and advanced manufacturing.

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institute of Measurement and Control and the Engineering Council UK.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
2A47
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level AAB

including Maths and a science. Science subjects include Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Engineering, Further Maths, Physics, or Technology/

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD

in Engineering + B in A Level Maths

Access to HE Diploma D: 36 credits M: 9 credits P: 0 credits

Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction (to include Maths and Science/Engineering), and 9 at Merit + B in A Level Maths

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DD

in Engineering + A in A Level Maths

Scottish Advanced Higher AB

in Maths and a science + AABBB in Scottish Highers

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 33 - 34 points

34, with 6,5 (in any order) in HL Maths and a science; 33, with 5 in HL Maths an a science, and B in a science-based Extended Essay

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H2, H2, H2, H2, H2, H3

including Maths and a science

T Level D

Distinction in the relevant T Level, including grade A in the core component + B in A Level Maths. Relevant T Level subjects include: Maintenance, Installation & Repair for Engineering & Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing & Control; Digital Production, Design & Development; or Design & Development for Engineering & Manufacturing.

To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: ww.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

English language requirements for undergraduates https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/english-language

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The entry grades data only represents a proportion of our cohort. We accept a broad range of qualifications on our degrees and we're committed to ensuring all students with the potential to succeed at Sheffield are informed and feel encouraged to apply. If you meet one or more of our Access Sheffield criteria, we may be able to give your application additional consideration when we receive it and when exam results are released.

Learn more on the University of Sheffield website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Tuition fees for 2026 entry have not been confirmed. Please use 2025-26 information as a guide.

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