The BS-Lateral in Software Engineering at Virtual University prepares students for the growing software development industry. The program builds a strong foundation in programming, algorithms, and software design, emphasizing reliable and secure software creation through practical engineering principles.

The BS-Lateral in Software Engineering program aims to prepare students for successful careers in software development by:

1. Equipping them with practical and theoretical knowledge of the entire software development lifecycle.
2. Training them to create innovative and effective software solutions using industry-standard engineering practices.
3. Enabling flexibility to work across various application domains.
4. Keeping them updated on current industry standards and best practices.
5. Developing teamwork skills and professionalism as software developers.
6. Strengthening communication and interpersonal skills essential for the workplace.
7. Instilling strong professional ethics and responsibility in all aspects of their work.

BS-Lateral Entry Admission (for applicants with 14 years of education)

A. Applicants must hold a 2-year Associate Degree in the Computing related discipline (from an HEC-recognized institution) to be eligible for admission through BS-Lateral program. The minimum eligibility criteria are:

a. At least 2.00/4.00 CGPA in the Associate Degree (semester system),

b. Applicants must also meet the University’s general admission requirements based on 12 years of education (Minimum 50% marks).

B. The candidates having 45% marks in Intermediate and completed 2-year Associate Degree in the Computing related discipline (from an HEC-recognized institution) prior to Fall 2023 semester with at least 2.0 CGPA out of 4.0 are also eligible.

C. Candidates with foreign qualifications or Deeni Asnad must provide an equivalence certificate from HEC, Islamabad, as applicable.

Note: Applicants with a conventional BA/BSc or an Associate Degree in an unrelated discipline are not eligible.

Following are the degree titles relevant to the computing discipline:

1. ADP-Computer Science
2. ADP-Database Management System
3. ADP-Computer Networking
4. ADP-Web Design and Development
5. ADP-Information Technology
6. ADP-Software Development
7. ADP-Software Engineering
8. ADP-Web & Mobile Application Development
9. ADP-Data Science
10. ADP-Artificial Intelligence
11. ADP-Cyber Security
12. ADP-Information Security
13. ADP-Multimedia & Animation
14. ADP-Multimedia & Gaming
15. ADP-Information System
16. ADP-Computing
17. BSc-Computer Science (VU Students)
18. BCS

To become eligible for award of BS-Lateral degree, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Must have studied and passed the prescribed courses, totaling at least 66 credit hours.
2. Must have earned CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0.

Project 

Students of each BS-Lateral degree offered by the Computer Science & IT department must enroll and pass “CS619 Final Year Project” course, worth 6 credit hours, in the 3^rd Semester of respective degree program. The department intends to provide option to hardship cases who are not able to pass CS619 at the end of the 4^th semester to take 2 courses each of 3 credit hours in lieu of CS619 in the subsequent semester(s) to complete their degree requirements.

Internship

As part of the BS-Lateral programs offered by the Computer Science & IT department, students are required to undertake internships during their studies, ideally after completing core coursework. Internships provide valuable industry exposure, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world environments, develop professional skills, and gain practical experience. Though it is non-credited, internships are highly recommended to enhance employability and prepare students for successful careers in the technology sector.