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South Africa
Our South African alumni include professionals in the South African National Treasury, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Standard Bank and South African Airways, amongst others.
Johanna Hall, BA (Hons) Industrial Design in Textiles
At present, I am self employed with 3 lines of work: Artisan sauce making (Worcester sauce from Worcester RSA!), Animal Portraits and Hand-weaving.
The Textiles School has a very high reputation amongst industry professionals and I had no problem finding work once I graduated. The course was unique with its balance of both the technical and the artistic side of textile design. The skills I learned were invaluable for a career in industry as my work involved constructing fabric for commercial use and also having the presentation skills to market the product creatively. Equivalent courses in other parts of the UK were either too technical or too fine-art biased.
What I most enjoyed during my time studying was the opportunity to be creative, excellent tuition and the friends I made who I am still in contact with today, many like me have emigrated.
Karol Ragoonaden, MBA
I am a Mauritian currently residing and working as an IT consultant in the Telecommunications industry in South Africa. When I started the Heriot-Watt on-line MBA degree course from South Africa in 2004, I was an MSc degree holder in computer engineering. I finished the general MBA graduation course in 2007.
I enrolled in the Heriot-Watt MBA with the aim of building my capacity. The amount of knowledge that I have acquired in the course is unbelievable. This knowledge has helped me not only in my field of work, but most importantly it is serving as a tool to manage and understand things that confront me in my everyday life.
My skills regarding decision-making, business and financial analysis and reporting techniques have greatly improved. Understanding business articles have become relatively easy for me.
What has struck me right at the beginning when I started the course is the professionalism with which the course materials have been condensed and neatly structured. They are up-to the-point and very different from over-loaded and cumbersome book materials. I have also enjoyed the on-line facilities regarding the on-line assessment, the forum and the promptness with which students are getting answers from the panel of Heriot-Watt professors.
Thank you Heriot-Watt!
Andrew Wildish, MBA
The MBA enabled me to secure a position within the Equity Financing division of a leading international investment bank shortly after graduation. Due to the all round business skills and knowledge the MBA provided me I was able to successfully lead a complex multi-functional program engaging with various senior management and skilled specialists across geographical boundaries. Critically, I gained the skills to move from high level strategic envisioning to low level implementation decision making.
The Heriot-Watt MBA provided me with the opportunity to formalize existing business skills acquired through experience, and more importantly I gained in depth business knowledge in the areas of Finance, Accounting and Strategy which has proven invaluable in my work as a programme manager and has complemented my prior technical education.
The quality and rigor of the MBA served as continual motivation that my investment of time and effort would be rewarded, undoubtedly this has proven to be true.
We currently have 14 South African students studying with us at our Edinburgh and Dubai campuses.
Popular programmes
Our most popular subjects with South African students are:
- Accounting & Finance
- Actuarial Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- International Business Management with Business Law
Student societies
Heriot-Watt students are able to come together to learn about and celebrate African and Caribbean cultures through our African & Caribbean Society. The Society runs lots of different activities and social events throughout the year to celebrate diversity and is open to everyone.
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.
If you hold the National Senior Certificate and have 6 strong subject grades at level 5 and above, you will be eligible for entry to Level 1 of our undergraduate programmes.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for entry to Level 1, you can complete an Undergraduate Certificate at our International Study Centre. Providing you successfully complete the Undergraduate Certificate with a score of 65% or over, you will be eligible to fast-track to Level 2 of an undergraduate programme at Heriot-Watt.
English language requirements for entry to Heriot-Watt University programmes
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 scores:
| Heriot-Watt English requirements | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Pearson PTE | Cambridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate* | 6.5 overall |
89 overall | 62 overall | CAE (grade C) overall | |
| with minimum: Listening 6.0 Speaking 6.0 Reading 6.0 Writing 6.0 |
with minimum: Listening 19 Speaking 22 Reading 20 Writing 20 |
with minimum: Listening 57 Speaking 57 Reading 57 Writing 57 |
with minimum: Listening grade C Speaking grade C Reading grade C Writing grade C |
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* Exceptions for postgraduate programmes: Languages: IELTS 7.5 or equivalent; Computer Science: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. |
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| Undergraduate** | 6.0 | 81 overall | 57 overall | FCE (grade B) overall | |
| with minimum: Listening 5.5 Speaking 5.5 Reading 5.5 Writing 5.5 |
with minimum: Listening 17 Speaking 20 Reading 18 Writing 17 |
with minimum: Listening 51 Speaking 51 Reading 51 Writing 51 |
with minimum: Listening grade C Speaking grade C Reading grade C Writing grade C |
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** Exceptions for undergraduate programmes: Actuarial Science: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent; Physics: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent; Textiles & Design: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent; Languages: IELTS 7.5 or equivalent. |
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Students are advised to contact the individual departments for minimum skills scores for listening, speaking, reading and writing.
English language requirements for visa purposes
The UKBA requires all students to be at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 level in order to study on a degree programme. Students must have CEFR B2 level in all 4 components of an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Heriot-Watt's English language requirements are higher than the UKBA requirements, and it is the Heriot-Watt English language requirements which you will need to meet to be accepted onto your degree. In most cases, if you meet the Heriot-Watt English language requirements you will also meet the entry requirements for a Tier 4 visa.
In very few cases, you may be accepted onto a Heriot-Watt degree but be lower than the UKBA requirement in just one component (listening, speaking, reading or writing). In this case, you can either re-take a SELT or you can join our pre-sessional academic English programme.
| CEFR level | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Pearson PTE | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B2 for degree level study | Overall: 5.5 with minimum: Listening: 5.5 Speaking: 5.5 Reading: 5.5 Writing: 5.5 |
Overall: 72 with minimum: Listening: 17 Speaking: 20 Reading: 18 Writing: 17 |
Overall: 51 with minimum: Listening: 51 Speaking: 51 Reading: 51 Writing: 51 |
Overall: First Certificate (FCE) grade C with minimum: Listening: borderline Speaking: borderline Reading: borderline Writing: borderline |
See the full list of SELTS that are acceptable for entry to the UK on a student visa.
Note: If you have completed your previous studies with English as the medium of instruction, either in the UK or overseas, you will still be expected to take a SELT unless you come from one of the majority English-speaking countries as follows:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
If you do not meet the English language requirements
If you do not meet our English language requirements, you can apply to one of our academic English programmes, which are specifically designed to prepare you with the language and study skills needed for academic study. If you pass the assessments on the Academic English language programme, you will be accepted onto your degree programme without the need to take IELTS or another SELT.
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 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.
The following scholarships are available to all international students who choose to study at Heriot-Watt:
- International Scholarships Programme (School of Textiles & Design)
- International Scholarships Programme (School of Engineering & Physical Sciences)
- Chevening Scholarships
Students from Nigeria may also be eligible for:
We work with approved representatives in South Africa who can help you apply and enrol on your chosen programme. Find your nearest representative.
Because you are from a visa national country you will have to apply for a UK visa to come to study at Heriot-Watt University regardless of the length of time you expect to study in the UK.
Student Visitor Visa
The Student Visitor Visa is only for non-EEA visa national students coming to study a short course of less than 6 months (or less than 11 months for an English language course). With this visa, you cannot work in the UK and cannot extend it from within the UK.
- To apply for a Student Visitor visa, you need to complete the VAF1D form.
- Learn more about applying for a Student Visitor visa.
Tier 4 Student Visa (in-country application)
The Tier 4 Student visa is for all non-EEA students coming to study in the UK for over 6 months.
To apply for this visa you need to fill the VAF9 and VAF9 Appendix 8: Tier 4 (General) forms and provide the requested supporting documents as specified in the Tier 4 guidance. You will also have to provide your CAS number from your Tier 4 sponsor (Heriot-Watt University), and your biometric features (10-digit finger scans and a digital photograph) in person as part of the application process.
- Learn more about applying for a Tier 4 Student visa.
- Find your nearest visa application processing centre in your home country.
- Learn more about bringing your family to the UK.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
If you are a postgraduate student you may need to apply for an additional certificate under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).
Only certain programmes are affected by the scheme; your academic School at Heriot-Watt will send you more information about this along with your unconditional offer. Or you can check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's list of programmes that request the ATAS certificate.
Your ATAS certificate should be printed and submitted as part of the visa application process.
More information
Further information and help can be found on Heriot-Watt University's International Student Advisors' Office (ISAO) website.
Tier 4 student visa holders studying at higher educational institutions are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full time during vacations if studying at degree level or above, or studying a foundation degree (a programme that leads to a qualification at level 8 of the SCQF).
Students studying any other programme will only be able to work up to 10 hours per week during term time, and full time during vacations.
Please note that term time covers all periods of your programme when you are doing academic work, and includes for example preparing for examinations and time spent producing MSc projects, dissertations and writing up thesis.
Learn more about working during your studies.
Working conditions for Tier 4 dependants
- Dependants of students from outside Europe who come to the UK to study for less than 12 months will be prohibited from working
- Dependants of students from outside Europe who come to the UK to study a programme that is below degree level (except a foundation degree programme) will also be prohibited from working
- Dependants of students from outside Europe who come to the UK to study a programme at degree level for 12 months or more will be able to work during their stay in the UK (part time or full time).
Please note: from 4 July 2011, non EEA international students can only bring their dependants to the UK if they are coming to study at postgraduate level on a programme lasting for at least 12 months (or 6 months if you are a government-sponsored student). To find out if your family members can join you in the UK, please see the guide for Tier 4 family.
Find out more about dependants and bringing your family to the UK.
More information
You can 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.