Master of Science in Software Engineering

at Heriot-Watt University - Edinburgh Campus United Kingdom

he MSc in International Marketing with Consumer Psychology provides insight into consumer behaviour against a background of international marketing concepts.

There are eight taught courses, divided equally over two semesters, followed by an international marketing with consumer psychology 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.

There are two sets of mandatory courses.  The first set provides the foundation in international marketing concepts (International Strategic Marketing, Contemporary Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Metrics, Branding and Communications, Research Philosophy and Practice). The second set delivers insights into the application of psychology to marketing decision making (Introduction to Human Factors and Psychology for Marketing).

In Semester 3 the International Marketing with Consumer Psychology 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.

Our MSc in Economics, Banking and Finance will give you the chance to develop specialist expertise across three inter-connected and highly influential subject areas. The degree is informed by recent developments in Heriot-Watt’s sector leading research in Economics and Finance.

Heriot-Watt University is ranked as the number 1 university in Scotland, and top 10 in the UK, for studying both Economics and Finance in the Guardian University League Tables 2018.

As Heriot-Watt University is situated on the edge of Edinburgh, we have excellent links to the financial sector of Scotland’s capital city, the UK’s second biggest financial and economics hub. We also have close ties to the London Stock Exchange and Bloomberg which provide excellent industry-focused learning opportunities.

This masters degree in Economics, Banking and Finance is designed to give you practical, specialist knowledge whilst fine-tuning your professional skills, your research skills and your advanced communication skills. During this course, you will lead on an independent research project of your own and gain insight into the world of international finance.

The MSc in Economics, Banking and Finance is structured to give you access to a range of professions and managerial careers. These include roles in banks, businesses, non-government organisations and government institutions.

The subjects available for BSc Combined Studies at the Edinburgh Campus are:

• Actuarial Science
• Biological Sciences
• Building Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Information Systems
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Statistics.

You can also combine the above subjects with one of the following:

• Accountancy and Finance
• Economics
• Languages
• Management.

A Combined Studies degree allows students to design their own degree course from the subjects offered at Heriot-Watt University. Students take a range of subjects not covered by other degree courses and can pick the right set of subjects from the wide range available to meet individual learning goals. Students can adapt their study on a part-time basis or at a distance. With the help of a Director of Studies, students can devise a study course that will support their ambitions.

The MSc International Management and Business Communication with Human Resource Management programme concentrates on developing professional communication skills in business and HRM contexts, as well as an understanding of intercultural and international business and HRM issues.

The structure of the programme is designed to provide graduates with access to a range of professions and managerial careers within businesses engaged internationally, but in particular in the area of HRM.

Alongside the practical skills and knowledge acquired, students will also engage in independent research, providing a potential route to research training in cognate disciplines at a higher level.

The Masters in Business Psychology at Heriot-Watt University is the most established MSc of its kind in Europe, enjoying a well-earned reputation for producing graduates who can improve the performance and behaviour of individuals and teams.

Business psychology is a discipline often referred to as occupational psychology and organisational psychology.

The MSc Business Psychology will give you an in-depth understanding of the psychological mechanisms that drive positive behaviours and performances in the workplace.

Whether you're coming from an industry position or directly from an undergraduate degree, this long-established programme of study will equip you with an effective blend of knowledge drawn from the specialist fields of psychology, management and leadership.

The content on this one-year masters degree programme has been tailored to meet the needs of those working towards a number of job roles, such as business psychology practitioner, human resources manager, organisational development manager, coaching consultant, management consultant or leadership consultant.

You will develop commercial awareness and an understanding of global organisations which will allow you to recognise the impact of the economy, politics, globalisation and the changing labour market on the psychology of a workplace and performance of individuals and teams.

Key skills for improving performance:

• During the MSc Business Psychology you will explore different aspects of the psychological mechanisms behind workplace behaviour and gain the managerial skills that will allow you to enhance and improve performance of teams and individuals. You will build expertise in:
• Coaching
• Leadership
• Diversity
• Employment legislation
• Organisational change
• Organisational culture
• Marketing and consumer behaviour.

You will study the areas of psychology that directly apply to business settings, and explore some of the key psychological research methods that can be practised in the workplace.

By viewing the workplace through a psychological perspective, and by developing your analytical, critical thinking, and reflection skills, you will learn to recognise and improve seemingly intangible aspects of the workplace which, when appropriately managed, can directly improve business performance in terms of:

• Job satisfaction
• Wellbeing
• Leadership
• Organisational commitment
• Organisational culture
• Performance and productivity.

Specifically-designed group tasks and presentations will allow you to develop your interpersonal and communication skills, giving you the platform to implement your expertise and directly improve the performance of diverse groups of individuals and teams at any level within an organisation. 

Throughout this programme you will learn from a unique blend of research-led academic teaching and industry-focused practical exercises. For example, on the Psychology of Coaching course you will develop knowledge in the theoretical frameworks of this area of psychology whilst gaining practical insights into the tools and techniques of lecturers who are experienced coaching practitioners and consultants.

The postgraduate course in Urban Strategies and Design is delivered jointly by the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) of the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University.

This course addresses the current need for interdisciplinary knowledge. It encourages the adoption of a comprehensive approach towards the delivery of socially-sustainable urban transformation, from local-specific to strategic metropolitan and regional interventions. Students study the wide and diverse range of social, economic, and political processes that determine the contemporary urban environment, and acquire the tools and skills to propose urban projects of diverse scales and specificities.

The City of Edinburgh offers an urban laboratory for project- and site visit-based exploration of current urban design issues in the UK. Furthermore, the city’s historic 'Geddesian' planning links, and contemporary international links with urban-focused institutions and bodies provide a strong platform from which to support student-led, location-based research projects.

Large global changes, and climate change in particular, are having significant impacts on the environment. The study of impacts and mitigation/adaptation measures in the marine environment requires a truly interdisciplinary approach. It is essential that scientists, engineers and environmental decision-makers understand the fundamentals of the causes, impacts and management measures involved in dealing with such important issues. The programme specialises in the challenges facing the marine environment and is part of the University's programme of teaching and research in climate change related issues. There are a variety of optional courses available but the core courses are listed below.

Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying at Heriot-Watt is designed to meet the needs of the financial management and quantity surveying sectors. The degree offers a solid theoretical base, combined with a strong focus on industrial relevance.

To enhance your career prospects and international experience, we are now offering our established and standard one year Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying Masters over two years through offering a ‘with Industry Placement’ alternative.

This Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying with Industry Placement option offers a practical experiential element over the traditional one-year degree structure, allowing students to reflect on theory in practice.

The MA in Finance is focused on graduate employability in the financial sector in its broadest sense. The course is a specialist degree responding to the rapid growth in global financial services. It is particularly suited to those seeking entry into the banking or investment management sectors, both nationally and internationally, covering a range of relevant specialist topics in finance.

Whilst studying this degree you will have the opportunity to enhance your employability skills through the use of Heriot-Watt's state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Lab which opened on Edinburgh campus in 2018. Students can use 16 industry-standard Bloomberg Trading Terminals to access up to the minute financial data and learn financial analytics as well as so much more.

This programme of study responds to the global demand for graduates with science or engineering backgrounds who can provide technical consultation and deliver specialist solutions to improve sustainability. 

Graduates from MSc Global Sustainability Engineering will work at the forefront of sustainable development. They will be able to call on engineering knowledge to identify existing unsustainable processes and practices and implement strategies for improvement. 

Programme aims

In developing this degree, Heriot-Watt University has built on over 30 years of experience in researching and teaching sustainable engineering. We have taken inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and want our graduates to be advocates of change; to understand how both incremental and disruptive approaches can be harnessed for effective sustainable development.

Courses will break down the barriers between disciplines and promote synergy between different branches of learning so that a holistic view of problems and solutions can be developed.