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BSc. (Hons)
Software
Engineering

Bachelor in Software Engineering (BSE) Program

Nurturing graduates with a deep understanding of technology, the skills to lead ethical digital transformations, and a global and Pan-African consciousness to solve complex problems

Duration

Years
0

Award

BSc (Hons)
Software Engineering

Tuition

USD per annum
0

Accreditation

Higher Education
Council of Rwanda

About the Bachelor of
Software Engineering Program

Embark on a mission to become a software engineer and drive technological change on the Continent by acquiring industry-relevant software engineering knowledge and skills throughout your learning journey at ALU. Delivered in partnership with one of Silicon Valley’s top tech schools, the Holberton School, the BSE program will challenge you to innovate and learn by doing right from day one at ALU, empowering you to become a software developer who can significantly impact Africa.

Students of the BSE program are equipped with a deep understanding of complex problems on the continent, how technology and innovation 1 are defined in Africa, and the role they will play as entrepreneurial technology leaders in solving Africa’s grand challenges. During their learning journey, BSE students gain 2 a strong foundation in computer programming courses, covering essential aspects like coding and software design, application development programs, and system architecture fundamentals. They also learn to embrace agile software methodologies to collaborate and deliver high-quality software effectively.

Furthermore, the curriculum emphasizes practical skills in web development and software tools, preparing students to thrive in the dynamic world of modern software engineering.

Graduates of the Software Engineering programme stand out from the crowd with a strong portfolio of hands-on technical skills in mobile and web development, cloud computing, user experience design, and artificial intelligence and machine learning, bolstered by a plethora of in-demand skills like critical thinking, ethics in software engineering, leadership, quantitative reasoning, and entrepreneurial thinking.

Admissions
Requirement

Each student’s journey is unique.  We believe that good grades alone are not the mark of a true leader. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. As such, we are not only looking for those who are at the top of their class, but also those who have stories of impact and tackle problems without waiting for someone else to solve them.

Any prospective student must meet our general entry requirements and the programme specific requirements to be admitted into ALU.

start your journey

Eligibility requirements for admission to ALU BSE program

Applicants supply evidence of :

  • Completion of a final national secondary school exam and graduated from secondary school with a certificate of secondary education on an A Level or equivalent. 
    • Prospects that did not complete an examination offered by the Rwandan National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA)/REB/WDA should apply for an equivalency review through the Irembo.gov.rw site.
  • B2 or IELTS 6.0 or better English Language proficiency*
  • Passing  3 or more A-level subjects or equivalent, in which one or more of the considered subjects is from this list of core subjects, or combinations that include these subjects.:
    • Math (Any A-level Math) or related subjects
    • Computer Science subjects, such as Computer Engineering, Computer Forensics, Computer Networking, Computer Programming, Cyber Security, Database Administration, Information Security, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Web Development, Algorithms, and Data Structures
    • Physical Science subjects, such as Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
    • An applicant who provides results from subjects closely related to the ‘core’ subjects above will have their admission reviewed by an Admissions Committee before acceptance.
  • Attaining a C average or better on the 3 subjects selected.
    • The average must be derived from at least one ‘core’ subject and the best two other grades from A-level (Principal) subjects.
      • If the core course is a Math or Computer Science subject, they must have a minimum C grade and will be directly eligible for BSE and can optionally complete a Self Assessment Process.
      • If Math or Computer Science subjects are not present, or if the student fails to meet the minimum grade in Math or Computer Science subjects, the Physical Science subject must have a minimum B grade or the applicant should submit any evidence for Recognition of Prior Learning.  In both cases an internal test will be administered to prove the Maths Eligibility in the first trimester and the final decision shall be made by the Admissions Committee during the first trimester.


A C average shall mean a point value of 12 or better. An average of C- shall not be considered to meet the minimum criteria.

Please note: 

  • Language of Instruction: The language of instruction at the African Leadership University is English. Applicants must supply evidence of B2 (or equivalent) proficiency. Those who cannot will be tested for proficiency in English at a period to be determined by ALU before the commencement of their degree studies. Those not meeting the B2 threshold will need to complete English proficiency bridging programme(s) offered by ALU or other 3rd-party providers.
Applicant age requirement
The applicant age requirement is in place to ensure that applicants are qualified and ready for a university education.
  • Minimum Age: 16 years old.
  • Applicants aged 16: Must undergo an interview to assess their readiness for university-level studies.
  • Applicants aged 17 who will turn 18 during their first year of study: No interview is required.
Please note: The applicant age requirement applies to the commencement of your studies, not the time of application.

Plan of Study

ALU’s Bachelor in Software Engineering program cultivates graduates who are not only proficient in software development but also deeply understand the broader implications of their work.

Students master best practices in software development, encompassing the entire software lifecycle while also developing a strong ethical foundation and a professional understanding of engineering design principles. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and real-world impact. You will learn to analyze data, make evidence-based decisions, and consider their solutions’ social and ethical implications. You will also cultivate systems thinking and social innovation skills, enabling you to address complex challenges holistically.

Ultimately, BSE graduates will be equipped to identify and address critical challenges within a broader societal context, considering the needs of all stakeholders and the ethical dimensions of their work.

Year 1

Trimester 1

  • Learning Processes
  • Reflective Thinking

Trimester 2

  • Self Leadership & Team Dynamics
  • Introduction to Linux & IT tools
  • Introduction to Programming & Databases

Trimester 3

  • Frontend Web Development
  • Web Infrastructure
  • Responsible Enterprise

Year 2

Trimester 1

  • Communicating for Impact
  • Enterprise Web Development
  • Foundations Project

Trimester 2

  • Introduction to Software Engineering
  • Skills immersion

Trimester 3

Software Engineering
Specialisation 1 
(students select their track)

  • Mobile Application Development
  • Advanced Frontend Web Development (Full Stack Web Development Track) OR
  • Programming in C (Low-level Programming Track)

    Mathematics for Machine Learning (Machine Learning Track) OR
  • Programming in C# (AR/VR Track)

Year 3

Trimester 1

Software Engineering
Specialisation 2

  • Linux Programming (Low-level Programming Track) OR
  • Advanced Backend Web Development (Full Stack Web Development) OR
  • Machine Learning Techniques I (Machine Learning Track) OR
  • Advanced C# Programming (AR/VR Track)
  • Advanced Python Programming (Full Stack Web Development Track) OR
  • Introduction to Machine L:earning (Machine Learning Track) OR
  • Introduction to Unity (AR/VR Track) OR
  • Data Structures & Algorithms in C (Low-level Programming Track)

Trimester 2

Software Engineering
Specialisation 3

  • React Development (Full Stack Web Development Track) OR
  • Machine Learning Techniques II (Machine Learning Track) OR
  • Introduction to BlockChain Development (Low-level Programming Track) OR
  • AR/VR Development with Unity I (AR/VR Track) OR
  • Machine Learning Pipeline (Machine Learning Track) OR
  • BlockChain & Applications (Low-level Programming Track) OR
  • AR/VR Development with Unity II (AR/VR Track) OR
  • Advanced DevOps (Full Stack Web Development)

Trimester 3

  • Ethics on Software Engineering
  • Mission Capstone

Application
timelines

Begin your application to ALU through any of the following intakes.

January 2025

Applications open and ongoing.

Applications close
Nov 1, 2024

May 2025

Applications open and ongoing.

Applications close
Feb 15, 2025

September 2025

Applications open and ongoing.

Applications close
Jul 1, 2025

Key elements of the
Bachelor of Software Engineering

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The Professional Skill Development, Skills Immersion,  and the Mission Capstone together make up the Skills immersion element of the programme. The Skills Immersion module is envisioned as a work-based placement where students will be able to contextualise and integrate their knowledge and skills in the workplace environment preparing them for future employment. The Mission Capstone is the global challenge(s) the students intend to tackle and will culminate in the Mission Capstone which serves as Honors Project for the programme.

Graduates of the BSE programme can pursue professional
careers in any of the following areas:

Augmented Reality/
Virtual Reality

Game Developer, Mobile Game Developer, Systems Engineer, AR/VR Content Developer, Interactive Designer, Immersive Experience Designer, Gameplay Developer, and post-graduate studies in AR/VR.

Low-Level
Programming

Junior Software Engineer, Software Engineer, Embedded Systems Programmer, SRE, Junior Blockchain Engineer, Unix Developer, Distributed Systems Developer, C Developer, and post-graduate studies.

Full-Stack
Development

Full-Stack Developer, Frontend Developer, React Developer, NodeJS Developer, Python Developer, JavaScript Developer, Backend Developer, UI/UX Developer, QA Developer, and post-graduate studies.

Machine
Learning

Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Data Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Big Data Developer, Machine Learning Infrastructure Developer, Python Developer, Tensorflow Developer, and post-graduate studies in Machine Learning.

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About ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.

They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now.

Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world. Join us and start your journey towards a fulfilling career with our skill-based bachelor studies and degree programs with internships.

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