Key information
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
Our cutting-edge MSc in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding and practical skills to develop intelligent software and systems. With a focus on real-world applications, the programme covers key topics like machine learning, data mining, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics and more.
Students benefit from our world-class research in artificial intelligence and close industry partnerships. As the home of the National Robotarium, we offer unrivalled opportunities to gain hands-on experience with robotics and automation. Our specialist areas align with high-demand skills in AI, equipping graduates for careers in this exciting and rapidly-evolving field.
Enhancements for Your Success
Our enriched curriculum adopts a comprehensive approach to artificial intelligence education, equipping you with the essential technical skills, business insight, and effective communication abilities.
- Rankings: We are Ranked 6th in Scotland for Computer Science by The Complete University Guide 2022
- Employability Excellence: In designing our curriculum, we engaged with industry experts to understand precisely what employers seek in AI professionals. We've thoughtfully embedded these insights into our program to give you an distinct advantage during interviews and set you up for success right from your initial role.
- Sharpen Your Proficiency in Vital Software Tools: In today's fiercely competitive job market, mastering essential software tools such as Python, TensorFlow, and machine learning libraries is imperative. We've significantly intensified our emphasis on these skills to ensure you are well-prepared to excel in real-world AI tasks and challenges.
- Enhanced Course Synergy: We've thoughtfully streamlined the course structure to foster greater coherence, making it easier for you to discern the interconnectedness of different subject areas within artificial intelligence. This holistic understanding will empower you to tackle complex AI challenges with ease.
- Access to Advanced Topics: As part of this comprehensive update, you'll gain access to a range of advanced subjects, including advanced machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. This expansion of your AI expertise will elevate your proficiency and prepare you to tackle the most challenging AI projects.
The National Robotarium
Located on Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus, in partnership with The University of Edinburgh, the National Robotarium creates innovative solutions to global challenges, working directly with industry to test and develop robotic, AI and automated technologies and rapidly move pioneering research from lab to market.
The National Robotarium fosters the teaching and development of the next generation of roboticists, producing highly-skilled graduates who are trained to conduct world-leading research with a market focus, and developing programmes to equip the current and future workforce with robotics, data and programming skills.
Your student experience
- Heriot-Watt University boasts a distinguished history of over five decades dedicated to the research and teaching of Computer Science.
- World-Leading Faculty: Our AI programmes are led by a distinguished faculty of world-leading experts who actively contribute to the advancement of the field. They consistently publish groundbreaking research in top AI conferences and journals, ensuring that our students learn from professors who are at the forefront of AI innovation.
- State-of-the-Art Labs: To facilitate hands-on learning, we have created state-of-the-art labs based at the Robotarium as well as at the GRID; including the Games & Design studio and the universities first VR labs. These resources are instrumental in providing students with a practical, real-world experience when working with authentic datasets and AI models.
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: Dubai
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
Optional September
- Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
- Computer-aided Verification
- Computer Graphics
- Human Robot Interaction
- Introduction to Natural Language Processing
- Intelligent Robotics
- Software Engineering Foundations
Mandatory January
- Research Methods and Project Planning
Optional January
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
- Advanced Human Computer Interaction
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Big Data Management
- Conversational Agents and Spoken Language Processing
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
- Games Programming
Mandatory May
- Masters Project and Dissertation
January Intake - Edinburgh
Optional January
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
- Advanced Human Computer Interaction
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Big Data Management
- Conversational Agents and Spoken Language Processing
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
- Games Programming
Mandatory September
- Research Methods and Project Planning
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
Optional September
- Computer Graphics
- Human Robot Interaction
- Introduction to Natural Language Processing
- Intelligent Robotics
- Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
- Computer-aided Verification
- Software Engineering Foundations
Mandatory Second January
- Masters Project and Dissertation
Programme Video
Computer Science Postgraduate Subject Video
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,192 | £6,096 |
| International | £25,480 | £12,740 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Future Shapers Scholarship
The Future Shapers scholarship at Heriot-Watt offers a range of high value scholarships to our most talented postgraduate candidates. This scholarship is open for UK applicants, who want to use research to create solutions to solve major global challenges. Successful candidates will receive up to 100% of their tuition fee.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent with evidence of understanding subjects such as design, creative digital skills, or computing and programming skills.
In addition, work or project experience in a related company role will be taken into consideration, please include your CV as part of your application.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
Potential career paths
- Machine Learning Engineer: You will design and implement machine learning models and algorithms for various applications, such as recommendation systems, image and speech recognition, and predictive analytics.
- Data Scientist: You will collect, analyze, and interpret large datasets to extract valuable insights and make data-driven decisions. You'll often work with machine learning algorithms and statistical techniques.
- AI Research Scientist: You will be involved in cutting-edge research to advance the field of artificial intelligence, working on developing new algorithms, models, and technologies.
- Computer Vision Engineer: You will specialize in creating systems that can interpret and understand visual information from the world, making applications like facial recognition and image analysis possible.
- AI Product Manager: You will oversee the development and deployment of AI-based products and services, bridging the gap between technical teams and business objectives to ensure successful AI projects.
Student life
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