Improving the quality of Software Engineering courses through University Based Industrial Projects

Through the use of University Based Industrial Projects, students at Sheffield University have been gaining the advantages of industrial contact, while still studying full time. This paper discusses the experience gained, within the Department of Computer Science, from running Industrial projects and other initiatives, focusing specifically on a second year project called the ‘Software Hut’. A set of guidelines, and good practice, derived from over ten years experience, are described and discussed. The implications of changes in client requirements and the effect of increasing class size are considered and possible solutions are proposed.