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
Software engineers are responsible for creating and maintaining software applications, applying the best practices drawn from computer science, project management, engineering, application domains, and other related fields.
This programme is meticulously designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to apply cutting-edge techniques and methodologies for developing high-quality software up to professional standards.
Within this programme, students have the opportunity to specialize in specific areas, including the development of dependable systems, parallel or big data applications, advanced interactive systems such as games, or innovative applications utilizing biologically inspired models of computing.
In some instances, students have the option to collaborate on their projects with external industrial or academic organizations.
Upon graduating from this programme, students can anticipate a wide range of career opportunities. They can secure positions with software companies, IT firms, research and development (R&D) divisions of companies, financial services organizations, defence contractors, government IT agencies etc.
Enhancements for Your Success
At Heriot-Watt University, our MSc in Software Engineering programme prepares you with the latest knowledge and practical skills essential for a successful career in the dynamic field of software engineering. Here's why our programme stands out:
- Rankings: We are proud to be ranked as the 6th top choice for Software Engineering in Scotland, as recognised by The Complete University Guide in 2022.
- Employability: In our commitment to your professional success, we have actively forged partnerships with industry leaders to gain valuable insights into the requirements of today's employers in the software engineering domain.
- Essential Tools: Proficiency in key software tools such as Python, R, SQL, and data visualization is crucial in the competitive landscape of software engineering.
- Synergistic Approach: Our restructured course offers a holistic approach that encourages the seamless integration of various disciplines, including software engineering, business management, and data analysis. This approach empowers you to tackle complex software engineering challenges with confidence, enhancing your problem-solving skills and adaptability in the ever-evolving software engineering landscape.
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: Heriot-Watt University is known for its strong academic reputation, and this extends to its Software Engineering programme. In fact, many of our academics are qualified software engineers, with many years of experience working in this field.
- State-of-the-Art Labs: To facilitate hands-on learning, we have created state-of-the-art labs based in 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
- Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
- Industrial Programming
Optional September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Computer Network Security
- 3D Graphics and Animation
- 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
- Computer Games Programming
Mandatory May
- Masters Project and Dissertation
January Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory January
- Advanced Software Engineering
Optional January
- Advanced Human Computer Interaction
- Advanced Network Security
- Big Data Management
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
- Computer Games Programming
Mandatory September
- Research Methods and Project Planning
- Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
- Industrial Programming
Optional September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Computer-aided Verification
- 3D Graphics and Animation
- Systems Programming
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Computer Network Security
Mandatory Second January
- Masters Project and Dissertation
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 |
- 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).
Additional information
Note: the fees indicated above will apply if you begin your studies in September. If you choose to join us in January instead, the fees below will apply.
January 2025 intake tuition fees
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £10,600 | £5,300 |
| International | £24,496 | £12,248 |
- 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).
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.
Admission requires a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent that includes substantial components of computer science and programming.
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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