Heriot-Watt University
Study Courses Postgraduate Computer Science

MSc Computing (2 years)

The course

Delivery
Full-time
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
September
Find out how to apply

Contact

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Overview

The MSc in Computing is a two year postgraduate degree. The first year imparts the knowledge and skills needed to study the subject at masters level in the second.

This new degree is open to graduates coming from any discipline. They will start by learning the art of software engineering, study some key computing topics and develop relevant research and technical English skills that prepare them for advanced study of computer science in the following year. Computer Science at Heriot-Watt is ranked 6th in Scotland by The Complete University league tables (2021).

At the end of Year 1 students may progress to Year 2 or graduate instead with a Graduate Diploma in Computer Science.

September 2022 entry

The deadline for applications from Scottish and RUK students is 31 August 2022. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 8 August 2022.

Go Global

Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information

Course content

The two year MSc in Computing is a full-time postgraduate programme comprising two stages in two successive years.

Year 1

4 courses are taken in each of 2 semesters in year 1 and normally include all core courses.

Core courses:

  • Advanced Software Engineering
  • Research Preparation in English I
  • Research Preparation in English II
  • Software Engineering Foundations

Optional courses:

  • Advanced Interaction Design
  • Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
  • Data Communications and Networking
  • Databases and Information Systems
  • Information Technology Master Class
  • Network Applications
  • Operating Systems and Concurrency

Year 2

4 courses are taken in each of 2 semesters in year 2 and normally include all core courses.

Core courses:

  • Computer Network Security
  • Industrial Programming
  • Project Management
  • Research Methods and Project Planning

Optional courses:

  • 3D Graphics and Animation
  • Advanced Interaction Design
  • Advanced Network Security
  • Big Data Management
  • Biologically Inspired Computation
  • Computer Games Programming
  • Intelligent Robotics

After semester 2, students continue full-time on the MSc project from May until August. It is assessed by a 15000 word dissertation on a challenging practical problem in this subject area.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a good honours or ordinary degree of 3 years duration, numeracy and some prior ability at programming

This programme is designed for students with a non-Computer Science background who would benefit from a foundational year to help them to make a successful transition into Computing, and therefore students will only be recruited into Year 1 of this programme. There is no direct entry into Year 2 of this programme.

English language requirements

Important: If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 (with no component under 6.0).

We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master's programme:

  • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
  • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Fees

Tuition fees for entry
Status Full-time
UK £9000
Overseas £20808

Footnotes

  1. 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
  2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

Additional fees information

Year 2 - Tuition fees
Status Full-time
UK tbc
Overseas tbc

Please note that fees are payable for each year of this two year MSc. Tuition fees for Year 2 have not yet been confirmed.

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.

View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.