Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Computer Systems

The BSc Computer Systems programme at Heriot-Watt is meticulously designed to provide students with a comprehensive curriculum. This ensures a strong foundational knowledge in computing, complemented by the development of practical, hands-on skills. At Heriot-Watt, we prioritise practical knowledge to equip our students with skills applicable in the professional world.

Emphasizing clear communication, independent work, and effective collaboration, our programme is tailored to provide you with the essential tools for a successful career in the dynamic field of computer systems.

Computer systems concentrate on the fundamentals of computer science, practical coding, knowledge management, professional practice, and socio-technical systems. As so, you can boost your career in these specific areas compared to our normal Computer Science degree.

The National Robotarium

The National Robotarium is Located on Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus, in partnership with The University of Edinburgh, the National Robotarium creates innovative solutions to global challenges, working directly with industry to test and develop robotic, AI and automated technologies and rapidly move pioneering research from lab to market. The National Robotarium fosters the teaching and development of the next generation of roboticists, producing highly-skilled graduates who are trained to conduct world-leading research with a market focus, and developing programmes to equip the current and future workforce with robotics, data and programming skills.

Key Information

• UCAS code: I100
• Level: Undergraduate
• Delivery type: Full Time
• Degree qualification: BSc (Hons)
• Mode of delivery: On-Campus
• Duration: 3-4 years
• Location: Edinburgh
• Start date: September

Your Student Experience

Your learning environment is tailored to provide an innovative and supportive space for your academic growth. This includes:

• Heriot-Watt's GRID (Global Research, Innovation and Discovery) is a ground-breaking facility to advance global research, innovation and discovery. GRID provides an innovative teaching and learning environment for our computing students. It is also home to our groundbreaking VR Labs and Games Design Studio.
• Enjoy research-led teaching by our enthusiastic staff.
• Our student equipment fund is an initiative to support students in purchasing technology (either in hardware, data or software) to explore the usage of and code development for new platforms, as part of a taught course or as a personal project. Recent purchases include Parrot AR.Drone 2.0s, Oculus Rifts and Raspberry Pi 2s.

Course Content

The course content is structured over four years, with each year providing a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge in computer systems.

Year 1

• Mandatory September:
  • Introduction to Interaction Design
  • Praxis
  • Software Development 1
• Optional September:
  • Logic and Proof
  • Introduction to Games
• Mandatory January:
  • Introduction to Computer Systems
  • Software Development 2
  • Web Design and Databases
• Optional January:
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Becoming a Professional

Year 2

• Mandatory September:
  • User-Centred Experimental Design
  • Programming Languages
  • Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Web Programming
• Mandatory January:
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Database Management Systems
  • Introduction to Software Engineering
• Optional January:
  • Operations Management
  • Hardware-Software Interface

Year 3

• Mandatory September:
  • Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
  • Data Communications and Networking
  • Knowledge Management
  • Software Engineering
• Mandatory January:
  • Language Processors
  • Operating Systems & Concurrency
  • Professional Development
  • Sociotechnical and Soft Systems

Year 4

• Mandatory September:
  • Research Methods & Requirements Engineering
• Optional September:
  • Computer Network Security
  • Computer Graphics
  • Information Systems Methodologies
  • Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
  • Statistical Modelling and Analysis
• Mandatory January:
  • Design & Implementation
  • Project Testing and Presentation
• Optional January:
  • Advanced Human Computer Interaction
  • Advanced Network Security
  • Big Data Management
  • Digital and Knowledge Economy
  • Data Visualisation and Analytics
  • e-Commerce Technology
  • Games Programming

Fees and Funding

• September 2026 intake tuition fees:
  • Scotland: Paid by SAAS
  • England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland: £9,790
  • International: £25,808
• Scholarships and bursaries are available, including the Heriot-Watt University Bursary of up to £3,100 per year for eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales.

Entry Requirements

• Standard entry requirements:
  • Highers: ABBB (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels: BBC
  • International Baccalaureate: 28 points
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM
  • HNC: B in graded unit
  • HND: BB in graded units
• Minimum entry requirements:
  • Highers: BBBC (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels: BCC
  • International Baccalaureate: 28 points
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM
  • HNC: B in graded unit
  • HND: BB in graded units
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

Employability

• 90% of graduates are working 15 months after graduating.
• The average salary of students 15 months after graduating is £33,000.
• Potential career paths include Information Technology professionals.