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Financial support
Your living costs while a student will vary depending on your situation, but you should expect to spend about £7,000 on living expenses during each academic year (9 months). This is only a guide figure and, of course, the amount you actually do spend is very much down to lifestyle choice.
Heriot-Watt University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to help you pay for your education and other living costs while you are studying at university.
In addition, there may be other forms of financial support available to you from UK governments, depending on your circumstances and eligibility.
Financial support for students from Scotland
Students from Scotland may be eligible for a Student Loan, a Young Students’ Bursary, an Independent Students' Bursary, an Additional Loan and Supplementary grants from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
Financial support for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
Government loans and grants are available to help cover the costs of tuition fees and living costs. The types of loan and the amount of financial support that you are eligible to receive will vary depending on your circumstances.
You can find the latest information on what financial support is available to you from these organisations:
It is important to note that:
- No tuition fees are paid upfront or while you are studying.
- Student loans for tuition fees are available for all eligible students.
- If eligible, the Government will lend you the money to cover the full cost of tuition fees for every year of study. The loan is known as the Tuition Fee Loan.
- The Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to the University by the government.
- You only start to pay back the loan when you are earning over £21,000 a year (England and Wales) or £15,795 (Northern Ireland).
- Repayment is based on what you earn not what you owe.
- All outstanding debt is written off after 30 years (England and Wales) or 25 years (Northern Ireland).
- You only pay back loans; you don't need to pay back grants, scholarships or bursaries.
Students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales may also be eligible for scholarships and bursaries from Heriot-Watt University.
BBC News has a useful student finance calculator that shows you how the Tuition Fee Loan repayment system works for students from England or Wales.
Funding for part-time students
We participate in schemes for students who are studying on a part-time basis.
Part-time Fee Grant (formerly known as ILA500)
Eligible part-time students can apply for a fee grant of up to £500 a year towards the cost of tuition fees. Find out more and apply through Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
Your completed application forms must be checked by your academic School (not signed or stamped) then handed in, along with all relevant documentation, to the Student Support & Accommodation Office for signature and completion of section E.
As a result of postgraduate funding changes from 2012/2013, the Part-time Fee Grant will no longer extend to postgraduate qualifications from 2012/2013. SAAS will continue to offer the part-time fee grant to students in 2012/2013 who commenced their postgraduate qualification in 2011/2012 and received the £500 fee grant. New eligible postgraduate students (Scottish domiciled and EU) may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan from April 2012. Please visit www.saas.gov.uk for further details.
Part-time Fee Waiver Scheme
A fee waiver scheme is open to eligible UK and EU undergraduates who are studying part-time. The scheme is for students from low income backgrounds and exempts them from the tuition fees normally required for part-time study. Full full details of the eligibility requirements can be found in the guidance notes on the fee waiver scheme application form.
Discretionary Hardship Fund
Undergraduate students who have taken out the maximum student loan they are entitled to, and who are experiencing financial difficulties due to exceptional circumstances or an unexpected crisis, can apply for a Discretionary Hardship Fund. Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students are also eligible to apply
Childcare Fund
Full-time undergraduate students who are eligible for student loan support can apply for assistance with the cost of formal registered childcare, so long as they have applied for the maximum student loan they are entitled to.
Other forms of financial support
Student Support can offer more advice on what financial support options may be available to you.
