Software Engineering MSc/Diploma

Overview

Software engineers create and maintain software applications using best practice from computer science, project management, engineering, application domains and other fields. Students will learn how to apply state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies to develop high quality software to professional standards.

The aim of this MSc programme is 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 or mobile applications or advanced interactive systems like games or novel applications using biologically inspired models of computing.

Further details are available here.

Programme duration

This full-time programme starts in September and lasts one year. The programme can also be taken part-time over 2 years or as a 9 month Postgraduate Diploma.

Professional recognition

This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of IT (BCS).

Graduate opportunities

Graduates from the programme can expect to be able to get employment with software houses, IT companies, research and development divisions of companies, financial services organisations, defence contractors or government IT agencies and as researchers or research students within universities.

First destinations of some of our recent MSc graduates:

Software Engineer, Ion Concept Systems

Programme content

Full-time students take 4 courses each semester and must normally take courses in bold.

Semester 1	Semester 2
Biologically Inspired Computation	Advanced Interaction Design
Computer Network Security	Advanced Software Engineering
Information Systems Methodologies	Computer Games Programming
Mobile Comunications & Programming	Distributed & Parallel Technologies
Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering	Research Methods & Project Planning
Software Engineering Foundations	Robotics & Automation
Systems Programming & Scripting

After semester 2 students continue full-time on the MSc project.

Further details are available here.

Project

In the third semester (May-August) students undertake a specialist MSc project which is written up as a 15000 word dissertation. This project enables further development and consolidation of skills introduced in the taught courses, applying them to a challenging practical problem in this subject area.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Computer Science or IT or its equivalent. Candidates holding a little less than a good honours degree or its equivalent but with compensating qualifications or experience may be admitted to the Postgraduate Diploma programme. Transfer to the MSc will be possible later on if exam and course work are at MSc level. Non-native English speakers should have an English level of IELTS 6.0 or its equivalent.

English language requirements

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 6.0 or equivalent. We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

• 2 semesters English (for IELTS of 4.5-5.0);
• 12 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5);
• 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5*-6.0). (*minimum 5.5 reading and writing)

Tuition fees

Fees for this programme can be found on our Tuition fees page.

Scholarships & bursaries

• Alumni Scholarship Scheme
  Heriot-Watt Alumni
• British Chamber of Commerce in Germany Foundation Scholarship (German students)
  German nationals
• Carnegie-Cameron Taught Postgraduate Bursaries
  Applicants must be Scottish by birth, have at least one parent born in Scotland or have been continuously resident in Scotland for a period of three years for the purpose of secondary or tertiary education.
• Chevening Scholarship
  Non UK
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
  International (Commonwealth citizens)
• Department for International Development (DFID) Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
  Commonwealth citizens
• East Lothian Educational Trust
  Applicants must be a resident of the old county of East Lothian (ie excluding Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig.)
• Entente Cordiale Scholarships
  French nationals aged 35 or under.
• Football Bursaries
  All students
• Japan Scotland Association Scholarship
  Japanese nationals planning to enter a postgraduate course at Masters level at a Scottish University.
• Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust
  Restricted to residents of the UK who are a son, daughter, spouse, widow or widower of a commercial traveller, chemist or grocer.
• Local Education Authority Awards
  Various
• MSc Fee abatement scholarships (MACS)
  New applicants
• Mexican Scholarships
  Mexican applicants
• Music Scholarships
  All students
• Part-time Fee Grant (SAAS)
  See SAAS residence conditions.
• Postgraduate Student Allowance Scheme (SAAS)
  EU and UK applicants who meet the SAAS criteria on eligible courses
• Remission of Fees (families of staff)
  Spouses/civil partners and children of members of staff, also retired members of staff of the University
• Royal Caledonian Schools Trust
  Applicants must be of Scots parentage (conditions apply - see below)
• SFC Key Skills Funded Places (MACS) (MACS)
  All applicants resident in Scotland who accept an offer for an eligible course
• Scotland's Saltire Scholarships
  Citizens of Canada, the People's Republic of China, India or USA (2 awards for each country)
• Smith Scholarship (MACS)
  Scottish applicants to the MSc in Actuarial Science, MSc in Actuarial Management and MSc in Quantitative Risk Management
• Sports Bursaries
  All students
• Sports Scholarships
  All students
• Staff Scholarships
  Employees of Heriot-Watt University
• West Lothian Educational Trust
  Individuals must have originated in West Lothian or have lived there for the last 3 years.

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