Engineer software systems for our digital world
Software Engineering is about building large, reliable software systems. These include mobile apps, artificial intelligence tools, safety-critical systems, cloud computing systems, and computer games.
It’s behind many of today’s most successful companies—from local heroes like Xero and Trade Me, to international giants like Google and Facebook.
The Software Engineering major in the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours has been recognised with full accreditation by Engineering New Zealand under the Washington Accord. This means that when you graduate, you’ll have a degree that is recognised all over the world.
Choose your study path
Software Engineering is one of three majors you can choose for your 4-year Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons)).
The BE(Hons) gives you training and a qualification as a professional engineer. You’ll learn about professional practice and project management, and complete 800 hours of work experience.
The Software Engineering major allows you to include some outside courses. For example, you might want to add Design, Data Science, or Psychology courses to your BE(Hons).
The final year project in the BE(Hons) degree is a great opportunity to apply your software engineering skills to a practical engineering problem. You might:
- design a tool that helps detect supply chain vulnerabilities by recognising where software composition analysis tools have ‘blind spots’
- help make bus timetables more accurate by developing a tool to identify parts of a bus route where vehicle speeds are slow or inconsistent
- create a client-based solution for optimising video streaming quality through a more intelligent handover mechanism
- help reduce customer wait times for retail food delivery services by developing algorithms to simulate delivery periods and create dispatching and scheduling policies
- design a system to automate the process of detecting and measuring glacier responses to annual climate fluctuations.
Work experience
We work collaboratively with Summer of Tech to match our students to paid internships for their 800 hours of work experience.
Summer of Tech is a non-profit organisation that helps companies find, grow, and employ tech students and graduates, and helps job candidates build in-demand skills and connect with local employers.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study Software Engineering at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
As a Software Engineering graduate, you’ll have the technical knowledge and practical experience to build a rewarding career in software engineering or a related field.
Because the BE(Hons) is internationally accredited, your degree will be recognised both in New Zealand and overseas.
More career information
Find out more about careers in software engineering.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
GCSB Women in STEM Scholarship
These scholarships are open to women applicants. They're awarded on academic merit, volunteering work, and commitment to a STEM career.
Find out more about the scholarship
Other scholarships
We have first year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Engineering and Computer Science
-
This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
-
This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
-
The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Engineering and Computer Science
-
This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
-
Applicants must be enrolled or intending to enrol in a Master's of PhD programme in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, undertaking research in any aspect of biodiversity and restoration ecology, including the use of novel technologies. Preference will be given to applicants from the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences.
-
These scholarships are for students of Pasifika ethnicity from Porirua or surrounding areas who are enrolling or intending to enrol in an undergraduate course in the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate study
If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
You could continue on to study for a Master’s degree—or for a PhD if you want to do independent research.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.