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
- September
Studying the BPS-accredited MSc in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University equips you with cutting-edge technical expertise, hands-on experience, and industry-aligned skills that are in high demand worldwide.
With access to world-class facilities like the National Robotarium and teaching from leading AI researchers, you’ll gain the knowledge and practical abilities to shape the future of intelligent systems.
This accredited programme not only prepares you for diverse, high-growth careers but also positions you at the forefront of innovation in a rapidly evolving field.
Reasons to study:
- Accreditation and reputation: Graduate with a programme accredited by the British Computer Society, ranked among Scotland’s top Computer Science offerings, giving your qualification international recognition and credibility.
- Cutting-edge curriculum with industry focus: Gain in-depth knowledge across AI domains such as machine learning, NLP, robotics, computer vision, and data mining, while developing the practical skills employers are actively seeking.
- Hands-on experience at the National Robotarium: Access world-class facilities and work directly with advanced robotics and AI systems, bridging the gap between academic study and real-world applications.
- Career-ready skills and employability advantage :Benefit from a curriculum co-designed with industry experts, ensuring you graduate with the technical expertise, business insight, and communication skills that make you stand out in interviews and the workplace.
- Learn from world-leading faculty and research: Be taught by experts who publish in top AI journals and conferences, ensuring your education is informed by the latest research and innovations.
- Customisable learning pathway: Shape your degree with specialist modules in areas such as robotics, speech recognition, reinforcement learning, and advanced machine learning, tailoring your expertise to match your career goals.
The Future Shapers scholarship
The Future Shapers scholarship is looking for students who want to use research to create solutions to solve major global challenges. This has been established for 2026 by one of our generous donors and is a testament to the talent and world-shaping potential of our University's students and researchers. We are offering 12 scholarships across our 4 research areas, worth 50%, 75% and 100% of your tuition fee respectively.
Apply nowYour 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: Our AI programmes are led by a distinguished faculty of world-leading experts who actively contribute to the advancement of the field. They consistently publish groundbreaking research in top AI conferences and journals, ensuring that our students learn from professors who are at the forefront of AI innovation.
- State-of-the-Art Labs: To facilitate hands-on learning, we have created state-of-the-art labs based at 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.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
Optional September
- Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
- Computer-aided Verification
- Computer Graphics
- Human Robot Interaction
- Introduction to Natural Language Processing
- Intelligent Robotics
- Software Engineering Foundations
Mandatory January
- Research Methods and Project Planning
Optional January
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
- Advanced Human Computer Interaction
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Big Data Management
- Conversational Agents and Spoken Language Processing
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
- Games Programming
Mandatory May
- Masters Project and Dissertation
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Optional January
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
- Advanced Human Computer Interaction
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Big Data Management
- Conversational Agents and Spoken Language Processing
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
- Games Programming
Mandatory September
- Research Methods and Project Planning
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
Optional September
- Computer Graphics
- Human Robot Interaction
- Introduction to Natural Language Processing
- Intelligent Robotics
- Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
- Computer-aided Verification
- Software Engineering Foundations
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 Postgraduate Subject Video
Student testimonials
Heriot-Watt offers a unique blend of academic excellence, practical experience, and a genuinely inclusive environment. The faculty are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, encouraging students to push boundaries and explore interdisciplinary research. I had the opportunity to work on real-world, high-impact projects during my studies, which directly led to exciting research roles and a fully funded joint PhD. For anyone looking to build a strong foundation in both theory and application - especially in cutting-edge fields like AI, Heriot-Watt is an outstanding choice.
Fees and funding
| 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
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent with evidence of understanding subjects such as design, creative digital skills, or computing and programming skills.
In addition, work or project experience in a related company role will be taken into consideration, please include your CV as part of your application.
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 have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Employability
Potential career paths
- Machine Learning Engineer: You will design and implement machine learning models and algorithms for various applications, such as recommendation systems, image and speech recognition, and predictive analytics.
- Data Scientist: You will collect, analyze, and interpret large datasets to extract valuable insights and make data-driven decisions. You'll often work with machine learning algorithms and statistical techniques.
- AI Research Scientist: You will be involved in cutting-edge research to advance the field of artificial intelligence, working on developing new algorithms, models, and technologies.
- Computer Vision Engineer: You will specialize in creating systems that can interpret and understand visual information from the world, making applications like facial recognition and image analysis possible.
- AI Product Manager: You will oversee the development and deployment of AI-based products and services, bridging the gap between technical teams and business objectives to ensure successful AI projects.
Student life
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