Key information
This alternative route to our BSc (Hons) Computer Science is delivered in partnership with Edinburgh College and Fife College. You’ll complete a relevant HND at one of these partner colleges, which enables direct entry to Year 3 at Heriot-Watt University.
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- Non Graduating
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
The Computer Science (Partnership College route) programme is unique in that you will split your learning across Edinburgh or Fife colleges and Heriot-Watt University. You will apply through your chosen college and spend the first two years studying an HND there. During your time at college, you’ll gain knowledge of the fundamental principles of computer science. Upon successful completion of your HND, you’ll progress into the third year of a Computer Science degree at our Edinburgh Campus and follow its curriculum for another two or three years until you graduate with one of the following degrees:
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science (artificial Intelligence)
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security)
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Data Science)
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Games Programming)
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering)
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Diploma in Industry Training
Through choosing this degree route, you’ll benefit from teaching, learning and study resources at either Edinburgh or Fife colleges and Heriot-Watt University from year 1.
You’ll learn the core principles of computer science and gain professional skills in problem-solving and project work. This programme is aimed at empowering students to craft robust systems and pioneer innovative technologies essential for everyday use.
As one of the first universities in the United Kingdom to offer undergraduate degree programmes in computing, we provide outstanding education in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, software engineering and computer systems.
Your student experience
- We are Ranked 6th in Scotland for Computer Science by The Complete University Guide 2023
- 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
Go Global
There are currently no Go Global opportunities for this particular programme. However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for more information.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
You’ll complete your first two years at either Edinburgh College or Fife College, studying the HND Computing: Software Development course. Mandatory learning will include fundamentals of computer science.
Programme Video
The Heriot-Watt experience
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Years 1 and 2 of this special partnership programme are taken at Edinburgh College and Fife College studying a HND Computing: Software Development. See Edinburgh College or Fife College for more information on entry requirements for each college.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Developer
- Data Scientist
- Software Engineer
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Games Developer
- App Developer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Robotics Engineer
- UX/UI Designer
Student life
Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students
