International Stage Two – Computing
at Edinburgh Napier University
Gain advanced knowledge in computing with modules aligned to your chosen degree, including computer science, cybersecurity, and systems and networks, and progress to the third year at Edinburgh Napier University.
Course Overview
The International Stage Two (IS2) in Computing builds on your existing knowledge and prepares you for specialist study in areas such as computer science, cybersecurity, and systems and networks. You will enhance your technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills while improving your academic and English language abilities for university-level study.
Equivalent to the second year of a four-year Scottish undergraduate degree, this programme provides the ideal preparation for advanced computing studies. After successfully completing the pathway, you will progress directly to the third year of your chosen computing-related degree at Edinburgh Napier University.
Edinburgh Napier University International College
Edinburgh Napier University International College (ENUIC) is a dedicated college for international students to start their studies. We offer integrated and standalone pathway programmes which develop your academic and English language skills.
Our international college is part of the university campus so you will have access to all the same university spaces, facilities and community so you will feel like you are part of the university from the day you start.
- Located on the main university campus
- Small classes offering a high-quality academic experience
- Supportive college staff who will help you settle into life as a student at Edinburgh Napier University
- University student status from day one with access to sports, societies, campus facilities and the university student services.
Course modules
The approach throughout this module is to direct skills learning and development towards your application within an academic environment. Attention is paid to the acquisition of formal language required for production of essays, reports and presentations, for drawing information from lectures and academic texts and for an appropriate contribution to academic discourse. The whole module is set within the context of higher education in the UK and emphasis is placed on developing the skills you require for more advanced study, for example, research methods, critical analysis of learning materials, academic writing and team building. (30 Credits)
The module aims to introduce you to a number of key aspects relating to databases. These include database theory, which helps you understand how the technology behaves, database design, a key skill for software engineers and business analysts, database use, particularly the ability to retrieve required data through well-designed queries, database administration, which involves backing up and restoring databases and the use of scripts to automate database management, and techniques dealing with database security. (20 Credits)
In this module an emphasis will be placed on both design issues and fundamental principles in contemporary systems and providing a solid understanding of the key structures and mechanisms of operating systems by focusing on Unix based Operating Systems and Windows. The module examines the software components that run current devices, and how they support user operations. Through a popular Linux distribution, you will gain practical experience in Unix and Unix scripting, which is an important technology that, running on servers, underpins much of the modern computational infrastructures. (20 Credits)
This module integrates DevOps techniques to deliver a software product. The aim of the module is for you to appreciate the core ideas of modern software development workflows, agility, leanness, and automation. The range of techniques are diverse, but the areas you will study provide a sufficient overview of the practical and personal skills required for modern software delivery. You will also consider important areas around ethics, professionalism and security in the context of software development. (20 Credits)
This module introduces you to the principles and techniques associated with Object Oriented software developing using C#. The module content includes problem solving approaches and algorithmic expression, object-oriented development in C#, an introduction to data structures using C# collections, design and development of user interfaces using C# controls and practical testing techniques. (20 Credits)
In this module you are introduced to a variety of data structures & algorithms, as well as some related topics such as how to decide when a data structure is appropriate to use, or whether an algorithm is better (or worse) than another in a given situation. You will cover fundamental concepts of data structures & algorithms starting with linear data structures such as arrays, lists, queues, & stacks then look at associative data structures such as sets, dictionaries, hash tables, graphs, & trees. The study of these data structures will cover their capabilities, performance characteristics, and applications. Once you are able to store data you will consider how to perform operations on it using algorithms. (20 Credits)
The aim of the module is to deepen your understanding of fundamental programming concepts and introduce more advanced concepts for applications development. Throughout the module, the concepts will be contextualised through case studies relevant to your intended programmes of study, namely cybersecurity, digital forensics and networking. Additionally, the module integrates some fundamental aspects of mathematics, particularly discrete maths, which are important in Computing and Cybersecurity. Python is introduced and used throughout as this is a general purpose programming and scripting language which is used extensively in computer security and related fields. nn (20 Credits)
The aim of the module is to investigate the principles of digital forensics, focusing on computer forensics (client-side PCs and laptops). The module includes significant practical sessions in applying computer forensics in realistic real-world scenarios, allowing you to analyse and evaluate digital evidence through the use of forensic tools and techniques. The tools examined will be mainly public domain tools. The practical sessions will be complemented with considerable theoretical knowledge of computer information as digital evidence and the basic techniques associated with gathering, preserving and presenting digital evidence. (20 Credits)
The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge and understanding of the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks. Building on your prior studies of networks, you learn about network operating systems, the Ethernet, IP addressing, subnetting IP networks and safeguarding network security. (20 Credits)
Meet Hania, a student from the Pakistan
My Dad supported me to be independent, and now I make decisions for myself. I speak up. I stand on my own. Studying in the UK didn’t just teach me academic skills, it taught me who I am. I know my dad’s proud.
Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University is one of Scotland’s top modern universities, recognised for career-focused teaching, world-class facilities and strong links with industry. Based in the heart of Edinburgh, the University offers the perfect balance of academic excellence and practical experience in one of the United Kingdom’s most dynamic and inspiring cities.
You will learn from experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom and benefit from courses designed to develop the skills employers value most. Edinburgh Napier is a university that supports your ambition, helping you gain confidence, build connections and prepare for a successful future.
Why choose the Edinburgh Napier University
Student satisfaction in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Napier University has been rated top in the city by the National Student Survey five years in a row.
UK modern university for Biosciences
Ranked 4th in the UK for Biosciences in The Daily Mail League Table 2025, reflecting our strong reputation for teaching, research and career prospects.
Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism
Ranked 5th in the UK among modern universities for Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism by The Guardian University Guide 2025.
Entry Requirements for
Pass Baccalauria with a minimum of 70% overall OR
Pass Technical Certificate with a minimum of 50% overall (or 60% if studied at Kardan Institute of Higher Education)
Pass Licence (Bachelor degree) with a minimum of 60% overall **OR** Pass Bachelor of Science (Engineering) degree from Kabul University with a minimum of 50% overall
Pass Baccalauria with a minimum of 60% overall
Pass Baccalauria with a minimum of 60% overall
International Student Fees
You can find the applicable international student course fee for your chosen pathway study route listed below.
| Study Route | Tuition Fees (2025-26) |
|---|---|
| Pre-Master | 2-terms – Business / Healthcare* – January, March, June, November – £12,385 1-term – Business – March, June, September – £9,445 1-term – Healthcare* – June, September – £9,445 1-term – Creative Industries – June – £9,445 1-term – Computing – March, June, September – £10,075 2-terms – Computing – January, March, June, November – £12,670 |
| International Stage Two | Computing – January, September, November – £16,375 Business / Hospitality, Tourism, Festival and Event. – January, March, September, November – £15,955 |
| International Foundation Year (Nursing) | Nursing degree only – January, September – £15,955 |
| International Stage One | Biosciences / Engineering – January, September, November – £17,425 Business / Mass Communications – January, September, November – £15,325 Computing / Digital Media – January, September, November – £15,645 |
| Stated fees are for the pathway only and do not include the tuition applicable for degree course continued at the university, for more information on progression degree fees please visit the university website directly. Fees are not inclusive of scholarships. All applications are subject to a non-refundable admin fee of £220. | |
| *The Healthcare pathway includes two routes: IIM Healthcare, which progresses to the MSc Healthcare Management (January, April, and June intakes), and IIM Public Health, which progresses to the Master of Public Health (MPH) (September, January, April, and June intakes). | |
| International Stage One (Standalone) Business and International Stage One (Standalone) Computing have the same fees as International Stage One stated above. | |
Scholarships at Edinburgh Napier University
Up to £6,000 scholarship for 3-term pathways
Reach out to our admissions team for details about scholarships available to you.
Up to £3,500 scholarship for 1-term pathway
Up to £4,000 scholarship for 2-term pathway
Reach out to our admissions team for details about scholarships available to you.
£3,000 per year* for student who completed IS1 Business, Digital Media, Engineering, Computing and Mass Communications
*Available for all countries for all continuation degree options on the IS1 Business, Computing Digital Media, Engineering and Mass Communications programmes. Not available for the BA (Hons) Business Management programme
£3,000 per year* for student who completed IS2 Computing and Business
*Available for all countries for all continuation degree options on the IS2 Computing programme. Not available for BA (Hons) Business Management programme and BA (Hons) Business Management with Entrepreneurship.
£3,000 per year for student who completed IIM Arts and Creative Industries, Business, Computing and Healthcare
*Available for all countries for all continuation degree options on the IIM Arts and Creative Industries, Business, Computing and Healthcare programmes. Not available for the MSc International Business Management programme
Reach out to our admissions team for details about scholarships available to you.
