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
- Next intake
- January 2026
The MSc in Software Engineering provides students with advanced technical knowledge and practical expertise to design, develop, and maintain high-quality software systems, applying best practices from computer science, engineering, and project management.
The programme allows specialisation in areas such as dependable systems, big data applications, interactive systems including games, and biologically inspired computing, while also offering opportunities to collaborate on projects with industry and academic partners for real-world experience.
Students build proficiency in essential tools like Python, R, SQL, and data visualization, and strengthen problem-solving, adaptability, communication, and business management skills through a holistic curriculum shaped by employer insights.
Ranked 6th in Scotland for Software Engineering, the programme prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in IT firms, R&D divisions, financial services, defence, and government agencies, supported by hands-on innovation opportunities through the National Robotarium, which provides exposure to robotics, AI, and automation technologies and fosters the ability to apply software engineering expertise to global challenges.
Your student experience
Heriot-Watt University has over 50 years of excellence in computer science research and teaching, supported by world-leading faculty. Students benefit from state-of-the-art labs at the Robotarium and GRID, gaining practical, real-world experience 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
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
- Industrial Programming
Optional September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Computer Network Security
- Computer Graphics
- Systems Programming
- Computer-aided Verification
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
Mandatory January
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Research Methods and Project Planning
Optional January
- Advanced Human Computer Interaction
- Advanced Network Security
- Big Data Management
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
- Games Programming
Mandatory May
- Masters Project and Dissertation
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory January
- Advanced Software Engineering
Optional January
- Advanced Human Computer Interaction
- Advanced Network Security
- Big Data Management
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
- Games Programming
Mandatory September
- Research Methods and Project Planning
- Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
- Industrial Programming
Optional September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Computer-aided Verification
- Computer Graphics
- Systems Programming
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Computer Network Security
Mandatory Second January
- Masters Project and Dissertation
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
Computer Science subject video (PG progs)
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,192 | £6,096 |
| International | £25,480 | £12,740 |
- Tuition fees are subject to revision each year. For students starting in September 2026 or later, refer to the table below.
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,584 | £6,292 |
| International | £26,296 | £13,148 |
- 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.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Admission requires a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent that includes substantial components of computer science and programming.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
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
- Software Developer/Engineer: As a software developer or engineer, you design, develop, and maintain software applications, ranging from web and mobile apps to desktop applications and system software.
- DevOps Engineer: DevOps (Development and Operations) engineers focus on automating and streamlining the software development and deployment process. They work to improve collaboration between development and IT operations teams.
- Data Scientist: Data scientists use their software engineering skills to analyse and interpret complex data, often building data-driven applications and models for various industries, such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.
- Machine Learning Engineer: Machine learning engineers create and deploy machine learning models and algorithms to develop intelligent systems, such as recommendation engines, natural language processing applications, and computer vision solutions.
- Cybersecurity Analyst/Engineer: Cybersecurity professionals with a software engineering background focus on securing computer systems and networks. They work to protect sensitive data and prevent security breaches and cyberattacks.
- Cloud Solutions Architect: Cloud solutions architects design, build, and manage cloud-based infrastructure and services. They are responsible for optimizing and scaling applications in the cloud, often using platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
- Full-Stack Developer: Full-stack developers are proficient in both front-end and back-end development. They work on all aspects of a software application, from the user interface to the server-side logic, and are highly versatile in the software development process.
Student life
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