The MEng Software Engineering programme is a comprehensive five-year integrated Masters course that builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired during the initial three years of the BSc Computer Science programme. Designed to equip students with the essential professional skills required to develop resilient and secure systems, this programme ensures a well-rounded education in software engineering.

During the first three years, students delve into the core concepts of computer science, laying the groundwork for advanced studies in software engineering. The curriculum is carefully crafted to cover both theoretical principles and practical applications, preparing students to address real-world challenges in the field.

In the fourth year, students embark on a specialised track that focuses on honing their skills in constructing robust and secure systems. This phase of the programme emphasises hands-on experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios and develop a deep understanding of industry standards and best practices.

The highlight of the fifth year is a dedicated period of paid industrial placement, providing students with the invaluable opportunity to apply their skills in a professional setting. Recent graduates have secured placements with renowned organisations such as Skyscanner, Leonardo, Cadence, BlackRock, and Satalia. This industry exposure not only enhances students' practical abilities but also opens doors to potential employment opportunities. Many graduates receive job offers from their placement employers, showcasing the programme's success in preparing students for a seamless transition into the workforce.

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.

Study abroad, placement year and more

• You can go on an Inter-Campus Transfer to study Computer Science abroad at our Dubai campus for one semester or more through Go Global

• We have exchange agreements with the Australian National University in Canberra.

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.

If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.