Software Engineering
Career outlook
Master Software Engineering
There’s a great need for good programmers in both the commercial sector and the field of research. However, the Software Engineering Master’s programme has more to offer than comparable Computer Science study programmes. The programme will help you become a better programmer and understand every aspect of the software engineering process. You learn how to reflect and analyse situations, which allows you to objectively assess both your own work and that of others. Graduates of the Software Engineering Master’s programme are therefore highly sought after on the labour market and tend to move up the career ladder quite quickly.
Arne Timmermans
'When I look back on my year at Software Engineering, it’s remarkable how fast all my fellow students have moved up the career ladder. I think that’s due to the fact that the programme is very practically-oriented. One of the most important things you learn over the course of the study programme is critical thinking. That’s a skill that tends to be underestimated in this field. By the end of the programme, you can also hold your own on a lot of subjects, as you learn something about every aspect of the process.'
Arne Timmerman currently works as a software engineer and team leader at ICT company Logica.
Jeroen van den Bos
‘This programme takes a much more in-depth look at the subject matter than comparable courses at a university of applied sciences. A software application may work, but what does that really mean? Does it mean the programme doesn’t contain any bugs? That’s highly unlikely. So, is that a bad thing? How do you find out? These are the types of things you learn to think about during the Master’s programme. It really goes to the heart of the matter; they try to give you some perspective and teach you to reflect on your field.’
Jeroen van den Bos currently works as a software architect at the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI).
Willem Visscher
‘I apply the things I learnt at Software Engineering every day at my work. Obviously, the Master’s programme helped me to become a better programmer, but I also learnt to reflect on quality and problem solving. I made my way up the ladder pretty quickly after completing the study programme. I was appointed to a managerial position after 2.5 years. The knowledge and experience I gained during the Master’s programme definitely helped in that regard.'
Willem Visscher currently works as a development manager at HGH Business Consultancy.
Lecturer Jurgen Vinju
‘Most of our students tend to climb the career ladder pretty quickly, and actual programming work soon takes second stage to team leadership or more overarching responsibilities. However, some people also end up in highly specialised positions, and develop unique capabilities that no one else can offer. Programming a Philips x-ray unit, for example. That group only represents a small percentage of our alumni, but it’s something I take a lot of pride in.'
Jurgen Vinju teaches Software Evolution and Construction.