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.

Your student experience

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Your learning environment

Your learning environmentCustomise your learningFoundation

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.

Go Global

Go Global is our student mobility programme, allowing you to seamlessly transfer your studies to one of our global campuses, or to a partner university. Live and learn in a new country, experience different cultures and build a global perspective, while continuing your degree without interruption.

Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to Dubai.

Course content

September Intake - Edinburgh

You will study three courses on programming in Java, interactive systems, web design and databases, and computer systems.

Mandatory September

Introduction to Interaction Design

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

Disclaimer

The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.

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Fees and funding

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September 2027 intake tuition fees

Scotland

Paid by SAAS

England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland

International

Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.

International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).

Scholarships and bursaries

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)View details

Entry requirements

If joining us in September 2027, please see the entry requirements below. Heriot-Watt offers different entry requirements, depending on your background.

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.

Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.

Minimum entry requirements *

Highers BBBC (over two sittings).

A-Levels BCC.

*Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:

live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)

or are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.

Additional information

For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.

If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk

For applicants studying HNC, HND or BTEC qualifications, when submitting your application please ensure you list in full all the units you are currently studying, as specific units (e.g. in Maths) may be required.

BSc Computer Systems programme is a good alternative option for applicants who would like to study our Computer Science programmes, but are not studying mathematics, or are worried about meeting the mathematics requirements. In Year 1 of BSc Computer Systems it is possible to take two optional mathematics courses. Then, subject to a good performance, a course transfer to BSc Computer Science or BSc Games Development and Production for Year 2 onwards can be requested.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.

Why Heriot-Watt

We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.

At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).

Employability

Work and study

This is what our BSc (Hons) Computer Systems students are doing 15 months after graduating:

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0%are studying

0%are studying and working

£0The median salary of Heriot-Watt students 15 months after graduating

£0The median UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course

Potential career paths

Information Technology professionals

Student life

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Life in Edinburgh

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BSc (Hons) Data Sciences

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