The area of software development for low level and embedded systems is a growing area of computing that demands good technical skills in programming as well as an understanding of hardware and software systems and their interaction. This course is industry relevant and our graduates are sought after by industry for their practical skills. In the first year we cover computing topics such as computer architecture, operating systems, networks, procedural and object-oriented programming, algorithms, systems analysis and design, and mathematics. In the second year, you will cover low level programming, systems programming and interfacing and computer control techniques, as well as preparing you to work in industry by covering the skills you need as a computing professional. You'll spend Year 3 on a placement, applying your knowledge in the workplace and gaining hands-on experience. You'll gain the skills that employers want so you'll be prepared for the workplace when you graduate. In your final year, we'll introduce you to advanced subjects such as real-time systems, safety critical systems and distributed computer systems. You'll also complete a major project, which includes the development of a substantial computing artefact. Our academics are experts in their field and specialise in areas such as embedded systems, operating systems and the Internet of Things. You'll also get to use our new computer hardware and embedded systems laboratory. Throughout your time here you will have the opportunity to attend Industry Guest Lectures.

Employability has been built into this award for many years and can be particularly demonstrated in the Professional & Enterprise Development module which exists totally to improve the students chance of gaining employment by improving on their soft skills such as group working, presentations and also on their CV creation skills .The idea is by minimising the soft skills that need to be learnt at the start of any employment then you reduce a companies costs and so increase the students chance of gaining employment. These skills are reinforced by the use of real world assignments in several of the modules including Database systems, Computer Systems & Low Level techniques and System Programming and computer control at level 5 and also In Real Time Systems and Safety Critical & Embedded Systems at level 6 where the assignments are based upon problems encountered by the staff when they were in industry. Students on Sandwich awards also have the opportunity to do 48 weeks work with a company in the IT industry, this is currently seen as the best way to full time employment as it is effectively a 12 month interview and many of the skills new graduates learn are picked up during the placement year. It also gives the student the chance to choose a Final Year Project that is relevant to the industry they have been working in and to apply some of those skills into their final year work. A survey over a 5 year period showed that around 25% of students who did a placement were offered a job by that company.