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How to apply for undergraduate programmes
Applying for programmes starting in September 2012
All of our undergraduate degree programmes for 2012 entry are open to applicants from England, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as to international applicants from outside the EU.
There are limits on the number of places that universities in Scotland and therefore Heriot-Watt University, can offer applicants who live permanently in Scotland or the EU-outside of the UK and who qualify for support from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), and some subject areas are now closed to Scottish and EU applicants. Applicants can find out which subject areas are open and which are closed by viewing the list below.
| Subject Area | International Non-EU applicants and applicants in England, Northern Ireland and Wales | Applicants permanently resident in Scotland or the EU-outside of the UK who are eligible for SAAS funding |
|---|---|---|
| School of the Built Environment | ||
| Civil and Structural Engineering | Open | Open |
| Architectural Engineering | Open | Open |
| Construction Management and Surveying | Open | Open |
| Urban Studies | Open | Open |
| School of Engineering and Physical Sciences | ||
| Physics | Open | Closed |
| Chemistry | Open | Closed |
| Chemical Engineering | Open | Closed |
| Electrical Engineering | Open | Open |
| Mechanical Engineering | Open | Closed |
| Engineering | Open | Closed |
| Combined Studies | Open | Closed |
| School of Management and Languages | ||
| Business Management | Open | Closed |
| Economics | Open | Closed |
| Accountancy and Finance | Open | Closed |
| Languages | Open | Closed except for the programmes listed below* |
| Borders Business Programme | Open | Closed |
| School of Textiles and Design | ||
| Textiles and Design | Open | Open |
| School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences | ||
| Actuarial Maths | Open | Closed |
| Mathematics | Open | Closed |
| Computer Science | Open | Closed |
| School of Life Sciences | ||
| Psychology | Open | Closed |
| Biology | Open | Closed |
* The following Language programmes are open to all applicants:
- Q190 Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (French/British Sign Language)
- Q191 Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (German/British Sign Language)
- Q192 Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (Spanish/British Sign Language)
- Q196 British Sign Language (Interpreting, Translating and Applied Language Studies)
- Q193 Applied Languages and Translating (French/British Sign Language)
- Q194 Applied Languages and Translating (German/British Sign Language)
- Q195 Applied Languages and Translating (Spanish/British Sign Language)
If you have not already submitted an application to study at university in this current application cycle you can do so at UCAS Apply. Alternatively, if you have already used all five choices on your UCAS application this year but are currently holding no offers, or if you choose to decline your offers or withdraw your choices, you will be eligible to apply through UCAS EXTRA.
How to apply
All applications to undergraduate degree programmes at Heriot-Watt University, whether from the UK or overseas, should be made online through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can get in touch with us before you apply for advice on the offer you are likely to receive.
- When to apply
- Your application
- UCAS codes
- Tracking your application
- Our response to your application
- Interviews
When to apply
For entry in 2012, UCAS accepts applications from September 2011. The first closing date for applications to be guaranteed consideration is 15 January 2012. Some degree programmes may receive applications after the deadline, however, we cannot guarantee this, especially for areas of high demand. You should contact the admissions tutor for the degree programme you are applying to for more information about the application deadline.
Your application
Your UCAS application is completed in 10 steps:
- Registration: registering to use the UCAS Apply service
- Personal details: your name, address, date of birth, contact details, nationality, residential status and an outline of any disabilities
- Additional information (UK applicants only): additional details about any non-examination-based activities you have taken in preparation for higher education
- Choices: a list of the programmes, and the universities and colleges that you are applying to
- Education: details of where you have studied and which qualifications you are taking/have taken
- Employment: details of your work history and employers
- Personal statement: a statement that tells us why you are applying for the programme(s) you’ve chosen and why we should want you as a student
- Reference: a reference from a tutor, careers adviser or other professional who knows you
- Declaration: confirming that the information you’ve given is correct and agreeing to use the UCAS Apply service
- Pay and send: paying the application fee online using a credit or debit card
If you need help with your application you should contact UCAS Customer Services on +44 (0) 871 468 0468.
UCAS codes
- The UCAS institution code for Heriot-Watt is H24.
- The programme codes you will need for your application are listed against each programme.
- Programmes based at our Edinburgh Campus do not have a Campus Code.
- Programmes based at our Scottish Borders Campus have the Campus Code S.
Tracking your application
Once you’ve completed your application you can use the tracking service on the UCAS website called UCAS Track to keep up-to-date with your progress and reply to your offers.
Provided that you submitted your application to UCAS by 15 January, you should expect to receive all offers of study by 31 March (but it can sometimes take longer than this). UCAS will email you to advise if there has been a change to your application and ask you to check UCAS Track. If you haven't provided a valid email address UCAS will send you a letter asking you to reply to the offers.
Our response to your application
All applications to Heriot-Watt University are carefully considered by an admissions tutor (an academic member of staff from the relevant programme area), whose job is to view applications. They will make one of the following offers or responses to you through UCAS:
- an Unconditional offer, (you have achieved the entry requirements)
- a Conditional offer (you need to achieve specified entry requirements before you are accepted)
- regretfully Reject your application (this does not prevent you from applying again in a subsequent year)
Responding to our offers
Advice on how to respond to the offers you receive will be provided to you by UCAS when you apply. We advise that you read this carefully, responding by the deadline stated.
Many candidates will receive dual offers for both first and second year entry. Although one of these will be the main offer, candidates who accept this may easily change their main offer to the alternative year once their results are known.
Interviews and visits to the University
Some subject areas may invite applicants to interview before an offer is made. In others, applicants who hold offers are invited to join a group applicant visit day to help you decide if you would like to accept your offer of a place at Heriot-Watt. The Education Liaison Service is pleased to arrange informal visits to the University for applicants and potential applicants on request.
All successful applicants are invited to visit the University (usually between January and April), in order to find out about their chosen programme and about the University more generally. It is also possible to visit us outside of the dates offered, or you can attend one of our open days.
Undergraduate Admissions Policy
You can refer to the Undergraduate Admissions Policy for more information about our applications and admissions processes.
