Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Systems

at Heriot-Watt University - Edinburgh Campus United Kingdom

Our four year BSc Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) Honours degree is oriented to constructing robust and useable systems. We aim to teach people not just how to deploy cutting edge tools and techniques, but how to build the next generation of software tools that other system constructors will use. This course aims to give a well integrated balance of theoretical underpinnings and practical experience, strongly informed by the research expertise of our academic staff.

All Year 3 students take part in a year-long group project, where they co-operate in tackling a large, realistic problem. Year 4 students conduct a major, year-long, individual dissertation project.

The Artificial Intelligence specialism is gained through taking prescribed courses from the final year options (two of the following: Biologically Inspired Computation, Data Mining and Machine Learning, Intelligent Robotics) and having an approved AI topic for the final year project.

This popular course meets the high demand for mathematically trained graduates who are aware of the operation of international finance, investment and capital markets, and able to combine expertise in these areas. The course combines courses in mathematics from a foundation level up to the edge of current research with courses in all the key areas of modern finance. Graduates will be able to contribute at the highest level to financial analysis and decision making. As a major financial centre, Edinburgh offers excellent career opportunities.

The Edinburgh Business School aims to provide forward-thinking, practical, focused MSc degrees that are outward looking and focused on the global business world. As part of our programme, you will study specialist subjects from across the business sphere including; international business context, competitive strategy, research philosophy and practice, and business economics.

Our courses provide insight into relevant social, political, legal, and macroeconomic conditions affecting international business and will develop your skills in decision-making, people management, leadership and team working.

You will learn how to critically evaluate and implement theories, concepts and techniques of business and apply this knowledge to practical contexts through industry-focused, case-study led projects and ultimately your Industry Placement.

The MSc in International Marketing provides detailed knowledge of contemporary marketing concepts coupled with the scope for specialisation.

There are eight taught courses, divided equally over two semesters, followed by an international marketing dissertation in semester 3.  Part-time students register for two courses per semester and progress to the dissertation at the end of their second year. Assessment is specifically designed to develop professional career readiness and includes several collaborative projects with industry partners.

Mandatory courses deliver core international marketing concepts (International Strategic Marketing, Contemporary Consumer Behaviour, Branding and Communications, Research Philosophy and Practice) as well as specialist marketing knowledge (Marketing Metrics, Sustainable Marketing).

 Students can select two course options as business related specialisms - one for each semester.  These include digital technology (Strategic Innovation Management, Contemporary Business Technology, Social Media Marketing), business performance (Project Management, Measuring and Managing Performance) and the contextualisation of marketing (Issues and Trends in Tourism, Entrepreneurship Creativity, Legal Context of Marketing). For those who wish an more detailed introduction to marketing practice, there is also an option in Marketing.  

 In Semester 3 the International Marketing dissertation is the capstone course where students “deep-dive” into their chosen area of research.  Students will demonstrate their mastery of the subject area by developing new insight from analysis of valuable primary research.

The International Marketing MSc reflects the fact that Heriot Watt is a truly global university with campuses in Dubai and Malaysia.  Our aim is to enable you to become a highly employable citizen of the world.

Heriot-Watt Mechanical Engineering degrees are ranked 1st in Scotland and top 10 in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2020. An industrial panel are involved to ensure the course content reflects the changing needs of industry and that our graduates have the knowledge and practical skills required to successfully gain employment.

Student teaching benefits from our strong industrial links, in particular the involvement of the industrial panel in the assessment of 4th year design projects, providing a realistic client scenario.

Programme Structure:
The first two years of the degree provide a grounding in the core disciplines of mechanical engineering, which allows students to make an informed choice of the options in the following years. An individual project forms part of Year 4. Students can graduate at the end of year 4 with a BEng Mechanical Engineering, or progress to the MEng programme, if academic grades are suitable. The 5-year MEng degree is the standard route towards Chartered Engineering professional qualification.

This course combines the rigorous studies of the BSc (Hons) Computer Systems with a year of work placement in level 4. Good performance means 12 months experience of working in an organisation in the computing sector. The Diploma in Industrial Training is gained through successful completion of the work placement. The work placement helps you to develop specific work-related skills, giving you the opportunity to apply and build upon the theory you’ve learned. This course is well suited for students looking for a sound foundation in contemporary computing, complemented by the professional skills needed to design, deploy and manage robust systems in diverse organisations, from SMEs to large corporations as well as undertaking a year in industry.

Our BSc Computer Systems course is designed to give you a solid foundation in computing, together with the necessary applied skills. What’s more, it’ll give you a range of professional skills to help you communicate clearly, work independently and co-operate effectively. In the later years of our BSc Computer Systems course, you’ll also have the option to specialise and graduate with a named degree in Games Programming (5Y6J).

The five year MEng Software Engineering degree is an integrated Masters course, which augments the first three years of the BSc Computer Science with the professional skills necessary for constructing robust, secure systems. Students spend the start of the fifth year on a paid industrial placement. Organisations that recent students have been placed with include Skyscanner, Leonardo, Cadence, BlackRock and Satalia. Many of our students go on to secure an offer of employment from their placement employer.

Teaching excellence and student satisfaction:
'Software Engineering' at Heriot-Watt is ranked 1st in Scotland and joint 1st in the UK for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2018. 100% of students were satisfied overall with their course.

This degree offers a thorough grounding in the major branches of Civil Engineering but with a focus on aspects most relevant to Structural Engineering. The aims of the programme are similar to those for Civil Engineering but with a stronger emphasis on the analysis, skills and knowledge appropriate to Structural Engineering design. In addition, this degree aims to cultivate skills for the creative development of designs for construction projects. An unrivalled range of specialist options is available in Year 5 and students complete a professional design project.

All Structural Engineering degrees are supported by the Civil Engineering Industry Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from major multi-national employers offering advice, guidance and work placement opportunities.

Our MSc International Business Management with Marketing programme is aimed at graduates who have little or no business or management background in their first degree and who wish to gain a broad based business qualification to enhance their future career prospects, or at those looking to develop business management knowledge and skills to allow them to change or further their careers.

This is a conversion MSc
MSc International Business Management with Marketing is a conversion degree programme led by academics from Edinburgh Business School. It introduces the study of business and management to graduates and professionals from non-management backgrounds who wish to enhance their careers.

This degree introduces vital business knowledge to those with limited academic experience in the subject and provides an opportunity to develop versatile management skills in just one year of study. Coupled with specialist learning in the area of marketing, it develops modern management skills to complement existing knowledge and prepare graduates for a career shift or management role.