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Degree Entry (Foundation) Programme Design Studies

Key information

Level
Undergraduate
Delivery type
Full Time
Degree qualification
Certificate
Mode of delivery
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Location
Dubai
Start date
September, January

This programme is designed to provide students with a pathway into an undergraduate degree programme in the School of Textiles and Design and the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at the Dubai Campus.

It is specifically designed as a foundation programme that will help students to bridge the gap between their school qualifications and the demands of a university degree. Students who complete the programme successfully will be able to progress directly into the first year of their chosen degree.

The programme will help students to develop their subject knowledge while providing a firm foundation in IT, research and writing skills, academic English, and assessment and examination techniques.

Progression

Upon successful completion of this DEP, students will be eligible to progress to one of the following programmes, all of which are offered at the Dubai Campus:

Your student experience

The Dubai Campus is accredited by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and fully licensed to teach its degrees in Dubai. All graduates receive a British degree that is accredited by Royal Charter in the UK.

Read more about the UAE Federal Accreditation.

Go Global

With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.

Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to Malaysia.

Inter-Campus Transfer: United Kingdom

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to the UK.

Course content

September Intake - Dubai

Students study the following subjects:

  • Introduction to Design Studies
  • Academic English
  • Approaches to Learning
  • Business Management

Students are assessed through a combination of coursework and exams and must attain a minimum overall grade of C (50%) in each course to ensure guaranteed transfer onto the undergraduate programmes listed above.

Mandatory AY

  • Approaches to Learning
  • Business Management
  • Academic English for Management
  • Introduction to Design Studies

January Intake - Dubai

Students study the following subjects:

  • Introduction to Design Studies
  • Academic English
  • Approaches to Learning
  • Business Management

Students are assessed through a combination of coursework and exams and must attain a minimum overall grade of C (50%) in each course to ensure guaranteed transfer onto the undergraduate programmes listed above.

Mandatory AY

  • Approaches to Learning
  • Introduction to Design Studies
  • Business Management
  • Academic English for Management

Fees and funding

AED 53,600 per year

  • All tuition fees inclusive of VAT.

Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

  • British GCE/IGCSE - Five Cs (4s)
  • Indian CBSE/CISCE - Minimum score of 50%
  • HSSC - Minimum score of 55%
  • UAE Tawjihiyya - Minimum of 68%
  • US American High School Diploma - Minimum of 68%
  • Africa WASSC (WAEC/NECO) - Five C6s
  • Philippine High School - Minimum of 70%
  • National Curriculum Russian / Kazakhstan (Attestat) - Grades of 3
  • IB – MYP year 11 - Grades of 4
  • IBCP - BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma - Pass + SL grades of 4 or IGCSE grades of C (4)
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma – Pass
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma – Pass

All of the above require English as a mandatory subject.

To find out more about the specific entry requirements for your country, please refer to our International Entry Requirements.

To find out more about the entry requirements for this programme, please send an email to dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk

Why Heriot-Watt

As the first British university to set up a campus in Dubai in 2005, we have established ourselves as a pioneer in the higher education market in the UAE. The three consecutive five-star ratings by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is a testament to our reputation for world-class teaching.

The futuristic Dubai campus is designed to offer interactive and collaborative learning experiences with innovative classroom styles fostering group work and engagement like Collaborative lecture theatres, Digitally Classrooms and Seminar rooms. The campus also has dedicated cutting-edge laboratories and workshops that span various engineering disciplines along with Psychology, IT, Photography, Design and Architecture.

Our practical, leading-edge research combined with strong links to business and industry, have made our graduates highly employable and sought after by the best organisations worldwide, with over 90% in graduate-level jobs or further study within six months of graduation. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education through our Go Global programme.

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