FAQs

You can find out everything you need to know about applying for the programme you want to study in the 'How to apply' section.

For most of our Postgraduate Taught programmes, international students must apply at least 6 weeks before teaching is due to begin. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK you can apply up to 2 weeks before the start of teaching. If you wish to apply for a course after teaching has commenced, please contact pgadmissions@hw.ac.uk for advice.

After submitting your application and uploading any required supplemental documents such as a transcript for past studies, our team will review your completed application – this can sometimes take up to 6 weeks during busy periods so please don't worry if you don't hear back from us right away. We'll send you an email to notify you when an update has been made and you will be able to view our decision by logging in to your application account and view any offer conditions that you may be required to meet.

You will have the opportunity to add up to five choices through your UCAS application.  The majority of students pick the same subject at five different universities. You should carefully consider your choices before submitting your application, ensuring that you only apply to universities that you would want to go to. If you have not used all five choices when you first submit your application, you may be able to add another choice later in the cycle, depending on your status.

Your personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the subject you are applying to and you should explain why you think your skills, experiences and abilities would allow you to be successful on your chosen degree programme and prepare you for your career ahead.

You can read the 'Help with your application' section for some hints and tips on what to write in your personal statement.

Some of our Textiles and Design programmes require the submission of a digital portfolio. Further information regarding portfolio requirements can be found in the Entry Requirements section of the relevant programme page on our website. Please expand the ‘additional information’ section to see full details on the portfolio submission process.

We accept all Higher and A Level subjects. Some of our degree programmes have required subjects e.g. Mathematics & Chemistry. Entry requirements for each programme can be found in the Entry Requirements section of the relevant programme page on our website.

You can also find general guidance on advanced entry on the entry requirements page.

Universities receive Highers and A Level results before applicants, during which time we will consider your results and make the final decision on your application. It is at this time, where possible universities may be in a position to exercise flexibility and accept you to your chosen degree programme if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.

If you have not met the conditions of your offer, and it has not been possible to accept you on to your chosen degree, we may be able to make you an alternative offer to a similar programme, a lower point of entry or make you an offer to our Accelerator programmes in our Global College or suggest other alternative pathways such as college articulation routes.

At Heriot-Watt University we welcome students who wish to take a gap year before beginning their studies. If you wish to apply for deferred entry then it is important to tell us this on the appropriate section of the UCAS form.

If you are completing your UCAS application after having already been on your gap year, then consider how any activities or experiences during your gap year have prepared you for your chosen degree programme and explain this in your personal statement.

If you have already applied and are now unable to start your studies as planned, you can request to change your start date. Our Deferral Policy provides guidance as to when and how deferrals can be requested and the rationale for accepting or declining this request.

It may be possible to gain advanced entry onto some of our programmes, depending on your qualifications. Where this is possible, entry requirements for advanced entry into Year 2 and Year 3 can be found in the Entry Requirements section of the relevant programme page on our website.

If entry requirements for your qualifications are not listed, please contact studywithus@hwu.ac.uk with details of the type of qualification you are holding and we will be able to confirm whether this would be suitable for advanced entry.

You can also find general guidance on advanced entry on the entry requirements page.

Due to the specialised nature of some of our programmes e.g. British Sign Language or Textiles and Design programmes, applicants may be invited to attend an online or in person interview to further assess their suitability for the programme.

As our programmes are taught and assessed in English, applicants must be able to prove their level of English language ability as part of the application process. More information on these requirements.

Any student who will need a student visa to study with us at one of our UK campuses will need a CAS number for their visa application. Once assigned, we will provide you with a unique CAS number in a letter, sent via email. More information on how and when to get a CAS plus other useful details for international students.

Master of Business Administration programmes run as online study and are also taught at our Malaysia and Dubai campuses.

As a student, you will have two main types of expenses: tuition fees for your programme and living costs. Tuition fees are different for each programme, and your living costs will vary depending on your situation.

There may be additional financial support available to you, such as a student loan, depending on your circumstances.

Yes, a range of scholarships are available for students planning to study at Heriot-Watt University.

Heriot-Watt's academic year is split into two semesters. You can check the academic calendar for the exact semester dates.

All our undergraduate Honours Degree programmes are four years in length (some offer an accelerated option where, subject to meeting the entry criteria, you can begin your studies in Year 2 bringing the total duration of the degree down to 3 years), some enhanced first degree programmes are five years in length.

Halls of residence are available at the Edinburgh Campus, Scottish Borders Campus, Dubai Campus and Malaysia Campus.

There are no halls of residence or University leased flats at our Orkney Campus, but our Orkney Student Support Adviser is happy to help you find private accommodation locally.

All students studying at the Edinburgh Campus can register with the Heriot-Watt Health Centre, which provides medical and dental services. Our Student Support office is also equipped to provide support and guidance on issues such as accommodation, personal counselling, welfare, academic counselling and finance. Students with disabilities are offered an extensive range of support from our Disability Service.

Study abroad is integral to all of our language programmes, and is available on some of our other degree programmes. Many such exchanges do not require multi-lingual skills. Please consult individual programme pages for more information.

Heriot-Watt is firmly focused on delivering a first class educational experience that equips you for life and your career. Our degrees are career focused and relevant to the needs of business and industry, which is why employers actively seek out our graduates. Find out more about what you can expect from your career after studying at Heriot-Watt.

Our award-winning Careers Service can help you find part-time work and vacation employment.