How to apply for postgraduate courses

You can apply for all postgraduate courses (except Edinburgh Business School courses) using our online application form.

You must create an account to use the online application form. You don't have to complete the application in one session; you can save what you have done so far and return to complete it at a later date.

Apply now using the online application form.

Printed application form

If you are unable to use the online application form you can request a printed form from the Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Edinburgh Business School courses

You can apply for Edinburgh Business School courses through the Edinburgh Business School website.

Supporting documents

You will need to supply various documents to support your application. These include:

• a copy of your degree certificate and relevant transcripts
• proof of your ability in the English language (if English is not your mother tongue or if you have not already studied for a degree that was taught in English)
• proof of how your tuition fee and personal maintenance costs will be met (not applicable for distance learning applicants)
• references from two academic sources (applicants with relevant full time work experience may use their current employer as one of the referees)
• international students who require a visa to enter the UK should also provide a copy of the photo page from their passport

You can attach these documents to your online application form using the document upload facility. We will accept scanned documents at the application stage but you may be asked to provide original copies of your documents at a later date.

When to apply

There is no official deadline for postgraduate applications; we accept them right up until the beginning of term. However, if you are applying for a popular course, it is in your best interest to submit your application as soon as you can so that you have the best chance of getting a place.

You should also bear in mind that in order to secure accommodation on campus you must have received and accepted your offer and submitted your accommodation requirements by 22 August.

How we process your application

You should receive a letter about 2 weeks after your application is submitted with your application reference number and contact details for the School you are applying to.

All applications will be carefully considered by appropriate staff in the relevant School and you should receive an official response within 8 weeks after you submitted your application.

The response that you receive from the School will be either:

• an unconditional offer
• a conditional offer (further supporting documentation will be required, such as a copy of your degree certificate if you had not completed your degree when you first submitted your application)
• regretfully, a decision to reject your application

Responding to an offer

If you receive an offer, please respond to it as soon as possible.

We operate a tuition fee advance instalment payment, which means that you can secure your place at Heriot-Watt University by paying the first instalment of your first year’s tuition fees. This payment will mainly apply to overseas or self-financing postgraduate students.

If you wish to study for a postgraduate award and are able to demonstrate that your tuition fees will be paid for by a third party (a sponsoring company or government agency, for example), you can be exempted from paying the advance instalment at the discretion of your School.

Once you have accepted your place you will be sent a confirmation letter, which you may use to help you obtain an entry visa to the UK (if you need one) or to obtain funding for your studies.

Information about how to register in September will be available during the summer.

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