Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.
Postgraduate study
Degree finder
Contact us

Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme description

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.

Programme structure

Semester 1

  • Optimisation and Deep Learning for Imaging and Vision I - 15 credits (HWU)
  • Foundations of Learning and Computer Vision - 15 credits (HWU)
  • Threaded Programming - 10 credits (UoE)
  • High Performance Computing Architectures - 10 credits (UoE)
  • Message-Passing Programming - 10 credits (UoE)

Semester 2

  • Optimisation and Deep Learning for Imaging and Vision II - 15 credits (HWU)
  • Graph Methods for Imaging, Vision and Computing - 15 credits (HWU)
  • Accelerated Systems: Principles and Practice - 10 credits (UoE)
  • Performance Programming - 10 credits (UoE)
  • Machine Learning at Scale - 10 credits (UoE)

Semester 3

  • Dissertation in Imaging, Vision and HPC - 60 credits

Students 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.

Alternative courses

If 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.

(Revised 05 November 2024 to update the course list in semester 2)

Entry requirements

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

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Entry requirements for this degree can be found on the Heriot-Watt application page.

Entry requirements for Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

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

Scholarships and funding

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 money

    • taking out a loan

    • family support

  • personal savings

  • income from work

  • employer sponsorship

  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

Further information

  • Postgraduate Programmes Manager, Jemma Auns
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 651 3545
  • Contact: j.auns@epcc.ed.ac.uk
  • EPCC
  • The University of Edinburgh
  • The Bayes Centre, 47 Potter Row
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9BT

Application deadlines

Popular programmes may close to applications earlier than others, it’s therefore recommended to apply as soon as you can. Unless the programme page advises otherwise, international students must apply at least six weeks before teaching is due to begin. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK you can apply up to two weeks before the start of teaching.

Further information

  • Postgraduate Programmes Manager, Jemma Auns
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 651 3545
  • Contact: j.auns@epcc.ed.ac.uk
  • EPCC
  • The University of Edinburgh
  • The Bayes Centre, 47 Potter Row
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9BT