France

Heriot-Watt University has been a very popular study destination for students from France for many years. We have around 140 French students studying with us, the majority of whom are studying undergraduate programmes.

We are also pleased to welcome an increasing number of students from the Grandes Ecoles (BAC+4) studying with us on the Master’s level or who study with us for one semester in our Combined Studies programme.

We have a number of long-standing partnerships with around 100 technical universities in France (IUTs), Engineering Faculties (Bretagne Sud, Le Mans, Grenoble) and Grandes Ecoles (SUPELEC, ESME-SUDRIA, ENSAM) and the POLYTECH network (TOURS, ORELANS).

Popular programmes

Popular programmes with students from France include:

• business management
• finance
• accountancy
• chemistry
• mechanical engineering
• physics
• computer science
• mathematics
• electrical and electronic engineering
• biology
• textiles and design
• renewable energy
• electronics
• management
• IT

These entry requirements are intended as a guide only. Please contact us or the School's admissions tutor to find out the actual requirements for the programme you want to study.

Undergraduates

• Award of Baccalauréat: 12/13, assez bien.
• Holders of the DUT can apply for Level 3 entry. A good level of English language (10/20 or above) is required. The other entry requirements are:
  • Chemistry / Biology / Electrical Engineering / Civil Engineering / Combined Studies / Computer Sciences: 12/20 
  • Physics: 12.5/20
  • Chemical Engineering: 12.5/20
  • Mechanical Engineering: 12.5/20
  • Management at Edinburgh Campus: 14/20
  • Management at Scottish Borders Campus: 12.5/20  
• We have a wide range of partnerships with French universities such as the IUTs, Universities and Grandes Ecoles (Polytech’, Supelec etc). Students with good grades in their first year of the DUT can enter directly into Level 3 on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students need to apply by the UCAS deadline of mid-January and need to have a minimum of semester 1 and 2 results. Very good BTS students may also apply for entry into Level 3. Licence students may apply for entry into Level 4. Please contact us for the exact entry requirements for your chosen programme.

Postgraduates

• For most of our Masters level programmes we require a good first degree (Licence, M1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

To study at Heriot-Watt University you must demonstrate that your English level is high enough for university study. We usually ask for the following English language grades:

We may also accept:

• 10/20 in English in the DUT (for direct entry to Level 3)
• successful completion of a period of education in English (on an international programme at your university, for example)
• successful completion of a UK university foundation programme

If you have taken another English language test and would like to know if this can be used as proof of entrance for either your degree or one of our academic English language programmes, please contact the International Recruitment Office.

If you do not meet the English language requirements

If you do not meet the required English language requirements, you can apply to one of our academic English language programmes, which are specifically designed to prepare you with the language and study skills that are needed for academic study. If you pass the assessments on the English language programme, you will be accepted on to your degree programme without the need to take IELTS or TOEFL.

We offer 3, 6 and 12 week programmes; your academic School will be able to advise you on which programme you should take.

If you are a non-native speaker of English, we strongly recommend that you complete at least some part of our academic English programme before you start your studies, even if your English is already of a high level.

Find out more and apply for an academic English language programme now.

Tuition fees are listed alongside each programme in the online prospectuses.

Tuition fees are higher for international students. If you are unsure what your residency status is, you can complete a fee status enquiry form, which allows us to assess whether you have a relevant connection to the UK that might positively influence your fee status.

Learn more about applying for student support in Scotland.

At Heriot-Watt we believe that a university education is an investment in your future. That is why we offer a generous package of scholarships to encourage and support well qualified, ambitious students to come and study with us. See the full list of scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for.

Our International Recruitment Office attends education exhibitions and recruitment fairs in France. Come and visit our stand at one of the following exhibitions to find out more about us, our programmes, and to get advice on how to apply:

We normally carry out two visits to France each year (autumn and spring) where we visit our partner universities and meet with students and staff.

November 4 - 17, 2012

We will make presentations in the following universities, engineering schools and IUTs. These sessions will focus on postgraduate masters and fee-paying non graduating students:

• ENIM of Metz
• Joseph Fourier univ. Grenoble
• Polytech Grenoble
• Polytech Orleans
• Orleans University, Faculty of Science
• IUT Nice and Sophia Antipolis
• IUT Cannes
• University Nice
• University of Toulon, Faculty of Science
• IUT Montpellier
• IUT Marseilles

November 26 - December 8, 2012

We will make presentations in the following universities, engineering schools and IUTs in the Paris area. These sessions will focus on postgraduate masters and fee-paying non graduating students:

• ECE,
• ENSAM,
• ESME SUDRIA,
• SUPELEC,
• Polytech Paris Sud,
• SUP BIOTECH PARIS,
• IUT Cachan,
• IUT Paris Descartes,
• IUT Orsay,
• IUT Rouen.

Because you are a European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, you can live and study in the UK without needing a visa. You will still need to provide a valid passport or national identity card in order to enter the UK.

Learn more about immigration rules for EEA citizens and Swiss nationals, including details on bringing your family to the UK.

You can also visit our International Student Advisors Office website for more information on studying in the UK.

Because you are an EEA national student you can work in the UK without permission or restriction. Learn more about working in the UK.

You can also visit our Careers Advisory Service website for more guidance on employment during and after your studies.

Before you arrive

You should visit Heriot-Watt's new students website, especially the information for international students, which will help you prepare for your first few weeks in the country and at university.

When you travel to the UK, you will need to make sure that you bring with you all the correspondence you had with us, as well as proof that you have enough money to support yourself. For more information on documents you'll need to have available for immigration control at the airport please check the UKCISA website.

Transport

The ISAO organises a free shuttle bus service from Edinburgh Airport to the Edinburgh Campus at the start of Freshers' Week (see the new students website for details). There is also a free connecting bus service from the Edinburgh Campus to the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels.

If you are planning to arrive outwith Freshers' Week, you'll need to make your own travel arrangements. You can find more information on transport on the campus pages.

Accommodation

You can find information on living on any of our campuses, as well as details on living in private rented accommodation, on the accommodation pages.

Healthcare

You can find our which healthcare services you are entitled to while living in the UK on the Medical Centre website.