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BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Key information

Enjoy the unique opportunity to explore new technology with our student equipment fund.

UCAS code
G400
Level
Undergraduate
Delivery type
Full Time
Degree qualification
BSc (Hons)
Mode of delivery
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Location
Edinburgh
Start date
September

Our prestigious programme, the accredited BSc (Hons) Computer Science, is intricately designed with insights from industry needs. It provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the core principles of Computer Science while also nurturing their professional skills in problem-solving and project work. This programme is aimed at empowering students to craft robust systems and pioneer innovative technologies essential for everyday use. 

As one of the first universities in the UK to offer undergraduate degree programmes in computing, we provide outstanding education in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, software engineering and Computer Systems. 

Study abroad, placement year and more 

  • You can go on an Inter-Campus Transfer to study Computer Science abroad at our Dubai campus for one semester or more through  Go Global 

  • We have exchange agreements with the Australian National University in Canberra. 

The National Robotarium  

The National Robotarium is 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. 

Student equipment fund

Our student equipment fund is an initiative to support students in purchasing technology (either in hardware, data or software) to explore the usage of and code development for new platforms, as part of a taught course or as a personal project. Recent purchases include Parrot AR.Drone 2.0s, Oculus Rifts and Raspberry Pi 2s.

Your student experience

  • Heriot-Watt’s GRID (Global Research, Innovation and Discovery) is a ground-breaking facility to advance global research, innovation and discovery. GRID provides an innovative teaching and learning environment for our computing students. It is also home to our groundbreaking VR Labs and Games Design Studio. 

  • Enjoy research-led teaching by our enthusiastic staff  

  • Our student equipment fund is an initiative to support students in purchasing technology (either in hardware, data or software) to explore the usage of and code development for new platforms, as part of a taught course or as a personal project.

Go Global

There are currently no Go Global opportunities for this particular programme. However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for more information.

Course content

September Intake - Edinburgh

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

Programme Video

The Heriot-Watt experience

Fees and funding

intake tuition fees
StatusFee
ScotlandPaid by SAAS
England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland£9,250
International£25,008
  • 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

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

  • Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View details

Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

Standard entry requirements for the first year of our BSc (Hons) Computer Science Degree are as follows:

  • Scottish Highers of ABBB (including mathematics)
  • A-Levels of BBC - ABB (including B in mathematics)
  • International Baccalaureate 28 points (with Mathematics at Higher Level 5)
  • BTEC awards of DDM (including sufficient mathematics)
  • Higher National Certificate of B in graded unit (including sufficient mathematics)

Minimum entry requirements for the first year of the course include*:

  • Scottish Highers of BBC (including sufficient mathematics at B)
  • A-Levels of BBC - ABB (including sufficient mathematics at B)

* Under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry 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

Work and study

This is what our BSc (Hons) Computer Science students are doing 15 months after graduating:
80%
are working
5%
are studying
5%
are studying and working

Salary

£29500
The average salary of students 15 months after graduating
£30000
The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course

Potential career paths

  • Developer
  • Data Scientist
  • Software Engineer
  • Cyber Security Analyst
  • Games Developer
  • App Developer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Robotics Engineer
  • UX/UI Designer

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