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BSc (Hons) Computer Systems

Key information

UCAS code
I100
Level
Undergraduate
Delivery type
Full Time
Degree qualification
BSc (Hons)
Mode of delivery
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Location
Edinburgh
Start date
September

The BSc Computer Systems programme at Heriot-Watt is meticulously designed to provide students with a comprehensive curriculum. This ensures a strong foundational knowledge in computing, complemented by the development of practical, hands-on skills. At Heriot-Watt, we prioritise practical knowledge to equip our students with skills applicable in the professional world.

Emphasizing clear communication, independent work, and effective collaboration, our programme is tailored to provide you with the essential tools for a successful career in the dynamic field of computer systems.

Computer systems concentrate on the fundamentals of computer science, practical coding, knowledge management, professional practice, and socio-technical systems. As so, you can boost your career in these specific areas compared to our normal Computer Science degree.  

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

  • Introduction to Interaction Design
  • Praxis
  • Software Development 1

Optional September

  • Logic and Proof

Mandatory January

  • Introduction to Computer Systems
  • Software Development 2
  • Web Design and Databases

Optional January

  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Becoming a Professional

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

  • Highers ABBB
  • A-Levels BBC – ABB
  • Int. Baccalaureate 28 points
  • BTEC DDM
  • HNC B in graded unit

Minimum entry requirements*

  • Highers BBBC
  • A-Levels BCC

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some 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 Systems students are doing 15 months after graduating:
75%
are working
25%
are studying

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

  • Information Technology professionals

Student life

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