Master of Science in Software Engineering

at Heriot-Watt University - Edinburgh Campus United Kingdom

The construction industry is thriving and shows no sign of stopping. According to a Global Construction 2030 report, the volume of construction output is forecast to grow by 85% by 2030, with the UK being a stand-out growth market in Europe.

Studying construction project management at Heriot-Watt gives you the vital skills and versatility required by an increasingly dynamic industry. Our course aims to provide students with the knowledge, leadership and management skills necessary for the effective delivery of construction projects from inception to occupation. This course has a strong emphasis on construction technology with module options that give students a background in valuation and procurement.

Highlights:

• In year 1 you can participate in a walking tour of Edinburgh viewing the architecture of the Old and New Town.
• In year 2 you have the opportunity to participate in Constructionarium, which provides hands-on construction working alongside professional engineers and tradesmen to construct scaled down versions of bridges, buildings, dams and civil engineering projects from all around the world.
• In year 3, you have the opportunity to gain work experience via the Culture of External MENToring (CEMENT) scheme, which links students with professionals in practice to offer work placements, graduate employment opportunities and site visits. There are also field trip opportunities to a European city looking at the construction of some of the world’s most recognisable buildings.
• In year 4, students undertake a week long collaborative design project working with students from across the built environment disciplines.

Fundamental ideas in pure and applied mathematics are developed together with key concepts in computer science. In addition to expertise in both subjects, the course fosters the intellectual skills of analytical reasoning, systematic problem solving and the development and clear communication of ideas. Students studying Mathematics with Computer Science study roughly 75% mathematics and 25% computer science.Those interested in a course with a larger computer science component can follow Mathematics and Computer Science (UCAS GG14). The split in this case is 50/50.

Software engineers create and maintain software applications using best practice from computer science, project management, engineering, application domains and other fields. This programme is designed to teach students how to apply state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies to develop high quality software to professional standards at an advanced level.

Students will be able to specialise in particular areas, such as the development of dependable systems, parallel or big data applications, advanced interactive systems like games, or novel applications using biologically inspired models of computing.

In some cases the project can be carried out in collaboration with an outside industrial or academic organisation.

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

This programme of study responds to the global demand for graduates with science or engineering backgrounds who can provide technical consultation and deliver specialist solutions to improve sustainability. 

Graduates from MSc Global Sustainability Engineering will work at the forefront of sustainable development. They will be able to call on engineering knowledge to identify existing unsustainable processes and practices and implement strategies for improvement. 

Programme aims

In developing this degree, Heriot-Watt University has built on over 30 years of experience in researching and teaching sustainable engineering. We have taken inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and want our graduates to be advocates of change; to understand how both incremental and disruptive approaches can be harnessed for effective sustainable development.

Courses will break down the barriers between disciplines and promote synergy between different branches of learning so that a holistic view of problems and solutions can be developed.

This course combines the rigorous studies of the BSc (Hons) Computer Systems with a year of work placement in level 4. Good performance means 12 months experience of working in an organisation in the computing sector. The Diploma in Industrial Training is gained through successful completion of the work placement. The work placement helps you to develop specific work-related skills, giving you the opportunity to apply and build upon the theory you’ve learned. This course is well suited for students looking for a sound foundation in contemporary computing, complemented by the professional skills needed to design, deploy and manage robust systems in diverse organisations, from SMEs to large corporations as well as undertaking a year in industry.

This International Marine Science course offers students with a background in marine biology, geology or geography the opportunity to integrate their expertise in the wider marine science context.

The highly interdisciplinary field of Marine Science aims to understand the biology, chemistry, geology and physics of this dynamic system so central to all our lives. It also considers the overarching influence of climate change and how policy can be brought to bear on managing the resources of the ocean as part of the Blue Economy.

The course has two core courses in Oceanography and GIS and offers a wide variety of options with maximum flexibility allowing students to pursue their studies either at our Orkney Campus or in Edinburgh. Furthermore the course offers an online study, through our Distance Learning option, with field work options in Malaysia and Orkney. Depending on the courses selected, Distance Learning students will be required to complete practical lab sessions in Edinburgh – students are responsible for meeting the costs of the travel and maintenance during these periods.

The MSc International Management and Business Communication programme concentrates on developing professional communication skills in business contexts, as well as an understanding of intercultural and international business issues.

While students on this programme are not required to work in any language other than English, the skills you develop can of course be applied in any professional communication context, regardless of language. There is a broad range of optional courses in professionally relevant subjects so that students can choose exactly which areas they would like to specialise in and can therefore tailor the programme to their interests and their professional needs.

If you would like to pursue study of another language in addition to English, you may prefer to take the MSc Translating for Business degree, which allows you to develop language, communication and translation skills specific to a business context in English plus your choice of one or two other languages from French, German and Spanish.

Since the 1990s Heriot-Watt University has had an internationally renowned research group in Mathematical Biology, Ecology and Medicine. This group includes Jonathan Sherratt, Andy White and Kevin Painter; all of whom are leading researchers in mathematical biology with strong international reputations.

Building on the strength of this research group we are excited to be launching a brand new MSc Programme in Mathematical Biology Ecology and Medicine. The programme includes high level and high quality courses that will provide a comprehensive training in mathematical modelling of problems in the life sciences, in mathematical techniques to study these models, and in the use of data to both inform and test the models.

During the summer you will do an extended project on a cutting-edge research topic that is aligned with our research interests. These include work on wound healing, pattern formation in developmental biology, epidemics, cancer, semi-arid ecosystems, and evolution. The programme will open up for you a wide range of career paths and possibilities for future study.

Entry to the actuarial profession is by a demanding series of examinations, but the rewards after qualifying are great. The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK has four levels of examinations to qualify. The first level, the Core Principles (CS, CM and CB) subjects, are taught in our BSc or MSc in Actuarial Science and lead to exemptions from subjects CS1, CS2, CM1, CM2, CB1 and CB2.

Our MSc in Actuarial Management is an established and successful programme covering the more advanced actuarial subjects.

Students will typically study CP1, CP2, CP3 and up to three SP subjects (two SP subjects are needed to satisfy the profession's requirements).

Taking our MSc in Actuarial Management is a great way to speed your progress to this most prestigious of careers - it's designed to take you almost all of the way to qualification.

We are ranked 5th in the UK for Town and Country Planning in the Complete University Guide 2021.

Studying urban planning and property development at Heriot-Watt prepares you for a professional career in real estate investment, development, or urban planning and design. It brings together theoretical, practical and policy content from both town planning and real estate.

Our Urban Planning and Property Development course combines real estate management with urban and regional planning and design to provide a broad knowledge of the sector. You will learn key field work skills in surveying, mapping and key research skills whilst learning core modules in statistics and data analysis. Cross disciplinary working helps students acquire a mutual understanding between professions.

Sandwich year:

• A sandwich year option is available, giving students the opportunity to spend one year in a paid placement before completing the final year of study.