Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing MSc Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Computing and Informatics Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Key facts School School of Informatics College College of Science and Engineering Programme website MSc Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing | Heriot-Watt University Study location Central Area Accreditation Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme A pioneering degree combining Heriot-Watt University's world leading expertise in Signal and Image Processing with the University of Edinburgh’s globally respected capabilities in High Performance Computing.The MSc Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing is a newly developed programme of study for graduates of science, engineering, or computing backgrounds.This degree will place you at the cutting-edge of science and technology, with skills in computational imaging algorithms and computer vision, as well as in High Performance Computing (HPC) hardware and software technologies. It is a programme of study which, for the first time, brings together the world-leading expertise of Heriot-Watt University in Signal and Image Processing with the University of Edinburgh's globally respected capability HPC.You will study on both campuses each semester and graduate simultaneously from both the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University. Fees, costs and funding Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh or Heriot-Watt University graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme.You can find out more about the Alumni Discount Scheme on Heriot-Watt’s website.Alumni Discount Scheme Deposit If you receive an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, you may be asked to pay some of your tuition fees in advance as a deposit.Visit the Heriot-Watt University tuition fees page to learn about any deposits required for this programme.Postgraduate Tuition Fees Costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.Unfortunately, you would not be eligible for University of Edinburgh accommodation. Funding opportunities Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Heriot-Watt offers a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.View the full range of postgraduate scholarships Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications Entry requirements for this degree can be found on the Heriot-Watt application page. Entry requirements for Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements English language requirements for this degree can be found on the Heriot-Watt application page. Entry requirements for Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing Programme details What you will study On this programme, you will take a set curriculum made up of 120-credits of taught courses, and a 60 credit dissertation.Semester 1 (September - December)Courses taken with Heriot-Watt University:Optimisation and Deep Learning for Imaging and Vision I - 15 creditsFoundations of Learning and Computer Vision - 15 credits Courses taken with the University of Edinburgh:Threaded Programming - 10 creditsHigh Performance Computing Architectures - 10 creditsMessage-Passing Programming - 10 credits Semester 2 (January - May)Courses taken with Heriot-Watt University:Optimisation and Deep Learning for Imaging and Vision II - 15 creditsGraph Methods for Imaging, Vision and Computing - 15 credits Courses taken with the University of Edinburgh:Accelerated Systems: Principles and Practice - 10 creditsPerformance Programming - 10 creditsMachine Learning at Scale - 10 creditsSemester 3 (June - August)Dissertation in Imaging, Vision and HPC - 60 creditsYou will choose a project with a primary supervisor in one of the institutions (Heriot-Watt University or University of Edinburgh), and a secondary supervisor in the other. Collaboration with industry is possible and encouraged. The explicit project phase in semester 3 will build on compulsory preliminary activities in semesters 1 and 2 focusing on research methodologies and project preparation.Alternate CoursesIf you have studied any of the Semester 1 or Semester 2 courses previously as a student of Heriot-Watt University or the University of Edinburgh then you may be eligible to study alternative courses as agreed with the programme director. Teaching and assessment Support for your studies Student AdviserAll students at The University of Edinburgh have a named Student Adviser who you can visit in The Bayes Centre. They make up part of the wider EPCC Student Experience Team. The EPCC Student Experience Team provide general support and guidance to students who are encountering difficulties with any aspect of University life and will be your first point of contact if you have any issues with your EPCC courses. They can also help with a wide range of administrative and practical issues to do with your degree programme.My Student AdviserYou will also have similar support through Heriot-Watt University services. Where you will study Study location Your study time will be split between both universities.Your EPCC courses will be held within the University of Edinburgh's Central Campus, right in the centre of the city. Academic facilities EPCC is happy to provide a dedicated student study space on the second floor of The Bayes Centre. During your studies, you are welcome to use this space between classes where you will be able to meet other students at EPCC and have access to our student experience team.You will need card access to gain access to the study space. Your Student Advisor will be able to help you with this during Welcome Week. Careers and further study Further study After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.Applying for research degreesMoving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service) Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying How to apply All applictions for this programme should be made through Heriot Watt University.You can find Information on Heriot Watt’s application process can be found on their website.Information about applying When to apply Popular programmes may close to applications earlier than others, it’s therefore recommended to apply as soon as you can. We recommend that international students apply at least six weeks before teaching is due to begin. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK you may apply up to two weeks before the start of teaching. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. Apply Applications for this programme are handled by Heriot-Watt University. Life at Edinburgh Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Jemma Auns Postgraduate Programmes ManagerEPCCThe Bayes Centre47 PotterrowEdinburghEH8 9BT j.auns@epcc.ed.ac.uk Adrian JacksonProgramme Director (UoE)EPCCThe Bayes Centre47 PotterrowEdinburghEH8 9BT a.jackson@epcc.ed.ac.uk
