Webinar recap: How to enrol with Edinburgh Business School

26 May 2026

Taking the next step in your studies can feel easier when you know what to expect. In our How to enrol with Edinburgh Business School webinar, Kristell Le Goff, Enrolment Adviser at Heriot-Watt Online, explains how online learning works and how you can enrol on any of our online business programmes.

Why study online with Edinburgh Business School?

Online learning gives you the flexibility to develop your knowledge and skills around work and other commitments. Many of our online students are also working full-time, so our programmes are designed to help you study in a way that fits your schedule.

You can apply what you learn to your workplace in real time. This can help you strengthen your current role, prepare for a new opportunity or build confidence as you move towards your next career step.

You will also learn alongside students from different countries, sectors and career stages. This helps you broaden your professional network and understand business challenges from different perspectives.

Kristell Le Goff in a Holyrood green shield with blue skyscrapers in the background.

Why choose Heriot-Watt University?

Heriot-Watt University has more than 25 years of experience delivering distance learning. Our online programmes are built around flexible digital learning, so you can access learning materials, support and assessments through a virtual learning environment.

You’ll also join a university with a strong record of graduate outcomes. Heriot-Watt ranked 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for positive graduate outcomes, with more than 80% of graduates securing roles or pursuing further education after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).

Heriot-Watt was also named the number one university for producing CEOs and MDs by Novuna Business Cash Flow, highlighting that our students don’t just learn business theory, they gain the practical skills and mindset needed to lead in today’s complex global economy.

Explore our online business programmes

Kristell gave an overview of Edinburgh Business School’s online portfolio. This includes MBA programmes, MSc programmes and the MBA Essentials programme.

MBA options include Specialisms in:

MSc programmes include:

If you are interested in an MBA but not ready to commit to the full degree, you can begin by taking one of our Professional Academy courses. The courses are credit-bearing and can be stacked together to build towards a full MBA.

Entry requirements

For postgraduate programmes, you will typically need a recognised first or second-class honours degree, or an equivalent global or professional qualification.

If English is not your first language, or if you have not completed previous study in English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. The webinar explained that there are several ways you may be able to do this. These can include recognised English language tests, a letter from a previous university confirming that you studied in English or, in some cases, a letter from your employer confirming that your work is conducted in English.

If you are unsure what evidence you can provide, the enrolment team can review your circumstances and tell you what options may be available.

Performance-based admission

We believe that transformative education should be accessible to diverse communities around the world. That’s why we offer a performance-based admission route for MBA and MSc programmes. This can help you start your studies even if you do not follow the standard academic entry route.

Through this route, you take a core course first. If you pass, you can then be formally enrolled on the full programme. This means you do not need to complete an application form before enrolling.

How to enrol

The enrolment process is designed to be straightforward. Once you have chosen your programme, visit the relevant programme page on our website and select the ‘Enrol now’ button.

You will then be asked to:

enter your personal details
check that the correct programme is listed
choose the courses you want to purchase at this stage
make your initial payment

You can choose to purchase one course, a few courses or all the courses for your programme, depending on what works for you. If you purchase the full programme upfront, you will receive a 20% discount on your fees.

After you complete these steps, the student engagement team will contact you to guide you through what happens next. This may include asking for evidence of your previous qualifications or English language proficiency if you are using the direct entry route.

There are no fixed intakes, so you do not need to wait for a specific start date. In many cases, you can begin studying within a few business days once your details have been checked.

Still unsure how to enrol? Watch Kristell’s quick walk-through of the enrolment process for a visual step-by-step guide.

How long does it take to complete?

Once enrolled, most students complete an MBA or MSc in around three years, but the programmes are self-paced. You may be able to complete more quickly, depending on your course choices, workload and assessment schedule.

You can take up to three assessments in one assessment diet, but this can be demanding. Many students find one or two assessments per diet easier to manage alongside work and other responsibilities.

You have up to eight years to complete the full degree. Once you start an individual course, you have two years to complete it.

Watch the full webinar

If you would like to revisit the session or catch up in full, you can watch the full recording here:

Explore our online Edinburgh Business School programmes

If you are ready to take the next step, explore our online Edinburgh Business School programmes and choose the route that best fits your goals.

Visit our FAQ page for further information.

For personalised advice, contact the enrolment team at HWOnlineApps@hw.ac.uk or book a 15-minute call with an adviser.