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.
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.
Your student experience
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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.
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Enjoy research-led teaching by our enthusiastic staff
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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.
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
Year 1
You will study three courses on programming in Java, interactive systems, web design and databases, computer systems, and an elective of your choice.
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
Year 2
You will study interaction design, web programming, data structures and algorithms, programming languages, software design and database management systems, and two electives of your choice.
Mandatory September
- User-Centred Experimental Design
- Programming Languages
- Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms
- Web Programming
Mandatory January
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Database Management Systems
- Introduction to Software Engineering
Optional January
- Operations Management
- Creative Design Project
- Hardware-Software Interface
Year 3
You will study software engineering, computer network security, artificial intelligence and intelligent agents, operating systems and concurrency, language processors, professional development and two electives. You will also take part in a major group project with an industrial orientation.
Mandatory September
- Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
- Data Communications and Networking
- Knowledge Management
- Software Engineering
Mandatory January
- Language Processors
- Operating Systems & Concurrency
- Professional Development
- Sociotechnical and Soft Systems
Year 4
You will study five advanced courses drawn from a wide range of our research and technical specialisms. You will also conduct a substantial individual project, on a topic of your choice or suggested by an academic, lasting the whole year.
More in-depth information on the content of the courses listed above, how they are assessed and the learning outcomes can be accessed via our current student portal.
Mandatory September
- Research Methods & Requirements Engineering
Optional September
- Computer Network Security
- Computer Graphics
- Information Systems Methodologies
- Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
- Statistical Modelling and Analysis
- Industrial Programming
Mandatory January
- Design & Implementation
- Project Testing and Presentation
Optional January
- Advanced Human Computer Interaction
- Advanced Network Security
- Big Data Management
- Digital and Knowledge Economy
- Data Visualisation and Analytics
- e-Commerce Technology
- Games Programming
Programme Video
The Heriot-Watt experience
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,535 |
| 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)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers ABBB (over two sittings).
- A-Levels BBC- ABB.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM.
- HNC B in graded unit.
- HND BB in graded units.
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings).
- A-Levels BCC.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM.
- HNC B in graded unit.
- HND BB in graded units.
*Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status 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 POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- 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.
Year 2
- Advanced Highers BBB including Computer Science, plus Higher ABBB.
- A-Levels ABB. Must include either Computer Science or Software Systems Development.
- International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Computer Science at Higher Level 6.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be in relevant subject, including sufficient Computing.
- HNC A in graded unit with 120 SCQF credit points. HNC must include Computing at SCQF Level 6, and include Java.
- HND AB / BA. Must include Computing at SCQF Level 6, and include Java.
- Global College: Successful completion of our Technology with Accelerator Programme.
Additional information
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- For applicants studying HNC, HND or BTEC qualifications, when submitting your application please ensure you list in full all the units you are currently studying, as specific units (e.g. in Maths) may be required.
- BSc Computer Systems programme is a good alternative option for applicants who would like to study our Computer Science programmes, but are not studying mathematics, or are worried about meeting the mathematics requirements. In Year 1 of BSc Computer Systems it is possible to take two optional mathematics courses. Then, subject to a good performance, a course transfer to BSc Computer Science or BSc Games Development and Production for Year 2 onwards can be requested.
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
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Information Technology professionals
Student life
Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students
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