MSc Degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology icon

Forth Railway Bridge near Edinburgh

MSc in Software Engineering icon

This programme aims to impart the understanding and skills to engineer software at an advanced level to professional standards. Students can specialise in particular areas such as the development of dependable systems, mobile applications, advanced interactive systems like games or novel applications using biologically inspired models of computing.

This full-time programme starts in mid September and lasts one year. Admission requires a 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Computer Science or IT or its equivalent.

The F2S7 MSc programme can also be taken part-time or as a 9 month F2S5 Postgraduate Diploma.

Full time students take 4 courses in semester 1 and 4 courses in semester 2 and must normally take courses in bold.

Semester 1
F21BC Biologically Inspired Computation
F21CN Computer Network Security
F21IF Information Systems Methodologies
F21MC Mobile Communications & Programming
F21RS Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
F21SF Software Engineering Foundations
F21SC Systems Programming & Scripting
Semester 2
F21AD Advanced Interaction Design
F21AS Advanced Software Engineering
F21GP Computer Games Programming
F21DP Distributed & Parallel Technologies
F21RP Research Methods & Project Planning
F21RO Robotics & Automation


After semester 2, students continue full time on the MSc project F21MP until the programme ends in August.

Various schemes are available for financing study on this programme. Applications are made to the programme Admissions Officer at the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

English Requirements

Non-native English speakers are expected to be proficient in English equivalent to an Internet based TOEFL score of at least 80, a British Council IELTS score of at least 6.0, Cambridge Proficiency C or University of Michigan ECPE. English language training programmes can be taken at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh during the summer.

Postgraduate Diploma Programme

The 8 taught courses can also be studied over 9 months as part of a Postgraduate Diploma programme with the same title. Students who perform at MSc level on the Postgraduate Diploma programme may transfer when it ends to the MSc programme and complete their project F21MP for an MSc.

Candidates holding a little less than a 1st or second class honours degree or its equivalent may be admitted to the Postgraduate Diploma programme and are eligible for transfer to the MSc programme under the normal conditions.

Part-time Study

Part-time study for the MSc over two years is also possible by special arrangement with the programme director. A typical arrangement would be for students to take 2 courses in semesters 1 and 2 in the first year, 2 courses in semesters 1 and 2 in the second year and split the research and implementation of the MSc project over 2 years.

Programme Requirements

To qualify for an MSc or Postgraduate Diploma, students must successfully complete 8 lectured courses at the appropriate level. The assessment of these courses is by examination and course work.

MSc students must also complete the project course F21MP at MSc level.

Further Information

For further information on the programme or to arrange a visit to the Department contact the admissions officer.

The Department reserves the right to modify the list of courses and may not run every course every year. It may not be possible to take all combinations of courses, students must satisfy the prerequisites of any courses and any course choice must be made in consultation with the programme director.