This is the admissions policy for the Software Engineering Programme at Oxford; it should be read in conjunction with the programme specification, the examination conventions, and the award regulations.

1. Admissions

Applications are invited from anyone with sufficient experience or proven ability in the field of Software Engineering. Although these are postgraduate-level awards, admission is not restricted to graduates in this, or any other, discipline: the programme may admit any applicant who, is likely to succeed in, and benefit from, their proposed course of study, provided that the admissions criteria below are satisfied. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, in the order of submission of completed applications.

Applications Process

Application can be prepared on line, using the web pages provided for this purpose. Applicants are asked to provide:

• personal information and contact details
• a current cv (two or three pages will suffice)
• a brief statement of their reasons for applying
• details of previous higher (university-level) education
• information regarding nationality and citizenship
• language information and language test results (if applicable)
• the names and addresses of two referees

While the application is still in preparation, applicants can ask for advice as to whether—on the basis of the information already supplied—they would be likely to meet the admissions criteria. This advice is supplied without prejudice—it will have no effect upon the final assessment of the application—but may be helpful to the applicant in deciding whether to proceed, and what additional information they might wish to provide.

Completed applications may be submitted on-line, as soon as the above information has been provided, together with any supporting evidence: transcripts for any previous university-level education mentioned; test certificates for any language tests referred to. A non-refundable application fee (currently £50) is payable at the time of submission. Applications may also be submitted on paper, using the standard, generic form available at the University's website.

Any applicant who appears to meet the admission criteria will be offered an interview, either in person or (in the case of overseas applicants only) via telephone or videoconference. Applicants can request an early interview as soon as they have provided contact information and a cv. If they choose not to, then an interview will be arranged as soon as possible after the completed application has been submitted.

References

References will be considered from anyone in a position to comment on the applicant's readiness for postgraduate study. Ideally, one of these should be able to comment upon the applicant's academic ability or previous education, and the other should be able to comment on their professional experience. A reference from their current employer or line manager is welcome.

The references can be supplied directly: by post, or by email. Alternatively, they may be supplied via the applicant, provided that they are presented in a sealed envelope, with the referee's signature across the seal, and a piece of clear tape over the signature and the seal.

Admissions Criteria

Successful applicants for awards in software engineering (or software and systems security) will normally have:

• at least two years' close engagement with software (or security) issues in a professional environment;
• a university-level qualification in a related subject;
• a good command of both written and spoken English;
• an appreciation of the challenges and practices in software engineering (or in software and systems security);
• an appropriate level of logical, mathematical, or analytical skills;
• a good understanding of the nature of the programme, and the level of commitment required;
• the support of their employer, if necessary, in embarking on this course of study.

More extensive experience may compensate for the lack of a related qualification, and a strong, immediately-relevant qualification, in engineering or computing, may compensate for a lack of experience.

Process

The formal admissions process begins with the submission of a completed application form. If, in the opinion of the Programme Director, the applicant appears to meet the admission criteria, then an interview will be arranged (unless an early interview has already taken place). The Programme Director will then make an admissions decision, following discussion with the Director of Studies, based upon: the information on the form; the report of any interview; the supporting evidence supplied, including references.

The outcome of the decision will be either an offer of a place as a student on the Programme, or a letter briefly explaining the reasons for rejection.

The offer of a place will be for study beginning with the next University term for which places are available. Provided that the applicant has applied, attended an interview, and accepted an offer in a timely fashion, this will normally be the next term on the University calendar. The availability of places will be advertised on the Programme website, and the start date for on-line applications will be set accordingly: applications will not be accepted for a particular term unless places are available.

A successful applicant may ask to defer the start of their formal period of study for up to three terms. Appropriate grounds for deferral include: pressures of work; changes in personal circumstances; the choice of a programme of study that includes no modules in the next term. Deferrals will not normally be allowed on purely financial grounds; applicants who are not ready to pay the award fees are asked instead to make a fresh application when they are in a position to do so.

The requirement to attend an interview may be waived for graduates of the Programme who are applying for re-admission to study for a fresh award. Such a waiver will be at the discretion of the Programme Director.

Appeals

Unsuccessful applicants, or successful applicants whose request for a deferral has been declined, may appeal against the Programme Director's decision by applying in writing to the Programme Manager; their application will then be re-reviewed by the Programme Director, reviewed by the Director of Studies, and—at the request of the applicant—considered at the next meeting of the Standing Committee.

2. Progression

Student status

Students may ask to transfer to a new award aim or status at any time during their period of study. These requests are considered by the Programme Director, and will normally be approved provided that the student's progress thus far—in terms of course attendances and assignment submissions—is consistent with their satisfying the examiners in the new award aim: specifically, the student's choice of subjects should be appropriate, and their mark average, calculated across assignments likely to be used as credit towards the new award, should be higher than 50.

College membership

Students must be members of one of the colleges of the University. Students who are already graduates of the University may request renewed membership of their previous college—such a request will be granted at the discretion of the college concerned. Otherwise, students will become members of one of the colleges that are able to provide support for part-time students: of these, Kellogg College is the preferred option.

Each student will be required to attend a matriculation ceremony, normally during the next University term. The new status takes effect from the beginning of the term in which the matriculation ceremony takes place. Failure to attend will result in the offer of college membership being withdrawn, and the student's status as a student lapsing.

Period of study

There is a minimum period of study of six terms for an MSc. An examination entry will not be accepted unless the minimum period for the chosen award will have elapsed by the end of the current term.

If the student is granted a suspension of status or an extension to their period of study, then the final term will be moved back by the specified number of terms.

If no examination entry form has been submitted within the maximum period of study allowed, taking into account any extensions or suspensions of status, then the student in question will be deemed to have withdrawn from the Programme. Their student status will lapse, and a special application for reinstatement will be required if they wish to resume their studies: see the University Examination Regulations.

Suspension of status

Students who are unable to pursue their studies for a prolonged period of time may request a suspension of status. Up to three terms may be requested at a time, although no more than six terms' suspension will be granted during a single period of study. Such requests are considered by the Programme Director. A supporting case will be required from the student's supervisor and from the student's college.

Students should not undertake any substantial study—for example, a course attendance and the corresponding assignment—during a suspension. Their University membership will be suspended. Any course or assignment fees will apply as usual; any remaining instalments of award fees will be postponed for the duration of the suspension awarded.

Extensions

Students who are unable to complete their studies by the end of their current final term may request an extension to their period of study. Up to three terms may be requested at PGCert, PGDip, or MSc level; such requests are considered by the Programme Director, and formally approved by the Board of Studies. A supporting case will be required from the student's supervisor (and, for students at MSc level, from the college).

A request for a further extension, again of up to three terms, will be accepted, but will require approval from the University's Education Committee. A strong supporting case will be required, including a plan for the completion of the remaining work before the end of the proposed final term.

Subsumption

A graduate of the Programme who returns to study for a higher level of award may use the module attendances and assignment submissions from their previous period of study as credit towards the new award, and their fee liability will be reduced accordingly. However, if they are successful in a subsequent examination for the higher award, this will replace or subsume their earlier qualification.

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