Key information
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- BSc (Hons)
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Dubai
- Start date
- September
Studying AI will allow you to help shape the future, revolutionise industries, and solve complex problems. It's a thrilling journey into the heart of innovation, offering the chance to positively impact society through technology and creativity.
Our BSc in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) is designed to create robust and practical systems. We don't just teach how to use the latest tools and techniques but focus on empowering students to develop the next generation of software tools used by other system builders. The course strikes a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical experience, heavily influenced by the research expertise of our academic staff.
In your third year, you will engage in a year-long group project, collaborating to solve real-world problems. In the fourth year, you will pursue an extensive individual dissertation project.
The Artificial Intelligence specialisation involves selecting specific courses from the final year options (two out of Biologically Inspired Computation, Data Mining and Machine Learning, Intelligent Robotics) and creating a final year project cantered around an approved AI topic.
Your student experience
- Tools for Your Success
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Rankings: We are Ranked 6th in Scotland for Computer Science by The Complete University Guide 2023
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Industry-Validated Curriculum: Our programme is meticulously crafted in consultation with leaders in the field of computer science. This ensures that you're equipped with the precise skills sought after by employers, giving you a competitive edge in the job market right from the beginning of your career.
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Mastery of Essential Software Tools: In today's dynamic tech landscape, mastering fundamental software tools like Python, data analysis libraries, and programming frameworks is crucial. We've intensified our focus on these tools, ensuring you're well-versed and ready to thrive in practical computer science applications.
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Integrated Course Structure: We've optimised our course structure to create a cohesive learning experience, emphasising the interconnectedness of various computer science disciplines. This integrated approach will empower you to solve intricate challenges and innovate across multiple domains within the field.
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Access to Advanced Topics: Through our updated curriculum, you'll explore a range of advanced subjects, including machine learning, computational intelligence, and data mining. This expansion of your expertise will refine your skills and prepare you for tackling complex real-world computing projects.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer: United Kingdom
Course content
September Intake - Dubai
Detailed Course Guide
You will cover software development, an introduction to computer systems, web design and databases. In addition you will learn how to create apps for mobile devices.
Mandatory September
- Logic and Proof
- Introduction to Interaction Design
- Praxis
- Software Development 1
Mandatory January
- Discrete Mathematics
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Software Development 2
- Web Design and Databases
Teaching staff

Fees and funding
AED 79,100 per year
- All tuition fees inclusive of VAT.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
For entry into Year 1 for September and January intake, our entry criteria are listed below. However, please note that the final decision remains at the discretion of the course director after evaluating scores of individual relevant subjects.
Students who are eligible to be admitted directly into second year can choose to join the first year, where available.
First year entry
- GCE A-Level - CCC (or AABB at AS-Level)
- CBSE/Other Indian Boards - 65%.
- American High School Diploma/SABIS - 70% + SAT I – 1000 (500 English and 500 Math)
- Tawjihiyya - 80% or Elite/Advance - 75%
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points (3 HL – including Maths, and 3 SL)
- BTEC Level 3 Ext Diploma - MMM
- FBISE grade 12 or equivalent - 70%
- Russian/Kazakhstan (Attestat) - Grades of 5 in every subject + IELTS 6.0
- French Baccalaureate - 13/20 + IELTS 6.0
- Lebanese Baccalaureate - 80% or 13/20 + IELTS 6.0
- Foundation year - Successful completion of Heriot-Watt University Degree Entry Programme (Engineering) with a CCCC.
- Compulsory subjects to include English and Maths.
To find out more about the specific entry requirements for your country, please refer to our International Entry Requirements.
To find out about the entry requirements for this programme, please send an email to dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk
Why Heriot-Watt
As the first British university to set up a campus in Dubai in 2005, we have established ourselves as a pioneer in the higher education market in the UAE. The three consecutive five-star ratings by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is a testament to our reputation for world-class teaching.
The futuristic Dubai campus is designed to offer interactive and collaborative learning experiences with innovative classroom styles fostering group work and engagement like Collaborative lecture theatres, Digitally Classrooms and Seminar rooms. The campus also has dedicated cutting-edge laboratories and workshops that span various engineering disciplines along with Psychology, IT, Photography, Design and Architecture.
Our practical, leading-edge research combined with strong links to business and industry, have made our graduates highly employable and sought after by the best organisations worldwide, with over 90% in graduate-level jobs or further study within six months of graduation. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education through our Go Global programme.
Employability
The market for graduates having artificial intelligence skills must grow with the increasing demands from companies, public sector organisations and research institutions for employees with skills in specialist areas with clear applications in industry - including data mining, machine learning, and pattern recognition. We envisage graduates from this BSc programme getting jobs with software houses, IT companies, research and development divisions of companies, financial services organisations, defence contractors or government IT departments and as researchers or research students within universities. Dubai is diversifying away from an oil economy towards the emerging knowledge economy, and a BSc in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) is just the kind of specialist IT education provision that Dubai city planners are looking for to provide the next generation of knowledge workers here.
Student life
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