Why do we need projects?

What is the purpose of projects? How do they help our students become better, more well-rounded, professional software engineers?

We want students to learn through doing. We employ a project-based learning approach so that students learn through addressing challenges from the outside world. It is important that we provide students with the opportunity to interact with industry professionals on a regular basis throughout their degree and that, as far as possible, we simulate the workplace environment with the work delivered in iterations and increments by teams of students.

These projects give the students a direct understanding of real-world problems and the breadth and variety that these can take during their degree, whilst providing the opportunity to develop solutions within a secure environment. Whilst the projects enable students to immediately apply technical knowledge to the project solution, it is the students’ soft skills development that really sets our programmes apart.

The ability to confidently present, communicate, and negotiate with a client, whilst simultaneously working in and leading a team to deliver a product, is a desirable industry requirement our students have been able meet.

The projects also offer external organisations an opportunity to open a dialogue with the students, School and wider University to form an ongoing, long-lasting, productive and meaningful partnership that can be fostered to comprise various types of engagements, including student employment, research, mentoring and advice, and more.