FAQs

At Edinburgh Business School, we are proud to make transformative education accessible to diverse communities and individuals across the world. Therefore, our EBS online MSc and MBA programmes run a performance-based admissions process. This means that we provide a pathway to entry into our MSc and MBA programmes, even if you don’t meet the suggested entry requirements. You will simply be required to enrol in and successfully pass one core course on your desired MSc or MBA programme before progressing to complete the full qualification.

What does this mean? No matter your pathway to entry (direct or through performance-based admission), there is no need to complete an application form before enrolling. To begin your journey with us, simply follow these steps:

• Select your desired programme and access its programme page.
• Click on 'Enrol Now.'
• Follow the instructions to enter your personal details, select your desired courses, and make your initial payment. We suggest starting with your core courses, but you have the freedom to select any courses you choose.
• Upon completion, our Student Engagement Team will reach out to guide you through the subsequent registration steps, which will include providing further detail about your academic and professional background.
• After this you will receive your course access details and can begin studying when it suits you.

This enables you to commence your studies promptly, exactly when it suits you, without having to await a fixed intake or undergo an application review.

Tuition fees vary depending on the programme you choose. You can access detailed information on the 2026/27 fees for all our EBS online Master's programmes here. Alumni of Heriot-Watt are also entitled to a 20% alumni discount. To claim an alumni discount please contact the Student Engagement Team prior to purchasing your first courses.

Students on our online Edinburgh Business School programmes benefit from a 20% fee reduction when purchasing all courses upfront for their programme of choice. Please note does not apply to PG Cert, PG DIP or DBA programmes. This cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts.

Take advantage and enrol today.

Our online learning platform provides you with a flexible and engaging learning experience. You'll have access to course materials, lectures, assignments, and communication tools through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This platform is designed to facilitate interaction with your course leaders and fellow students, enabling you to study at your own pace while staying connected with your peers and academic team.

Our courses offer unique, authentic assessment tailored to each course and aligned to its objectives. There is no requirement to attend in-person examinations; instead, each course is assessed by a Final Online Assessment. These are assessments you take remotely and alone in your own space.

You will have 24 hours to complete the assessment by downloading the paper and uploading your answers. You’ll also have access to your notes, course material, and the internet to consult during the assessment. All assessments will be available within the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

RPL is a process through which Heriot-Watt University evaluates previously completed qualifications or professional experiences to grant exemptions (up to a maximum of 20 credits). Exemptions are granted from courses which are core to your chosen programme of study. No exemptions will be awarded from elective courses.

Our online students form an integral part of our student body, and we are always delighted to welcome graduating online students to our annual graduation ceremonies.

To help you apply easily, we have put together a step-by-step guide.

1) Before you start, have the following documents ready:

• Copy of degree certificate and transcript
• Curriculum Vitae (a brief account of your education, qualifications, and previous occupations)
• Statement of purpose (500 word personal statement outlining academic, professional experience and motivation to study the programme). We recommend that you use your current CV with a covering letter as the first page. You should briefly explain, in English, the skills and experience that you have that will enable you to be successful in your studies (including Academic English and Mathematical skills as appropriate).
• Evidence of English language ability (if English is not your first language and/or not from a recognised English-speaking country) dated within the last two years.

2) Visit our website and click the ‘Apply Now’ button on the programme of your choice. You can then fill in your details and attach the documents requested. Hit Submit.

3) Submitted applications will be reviewed by the relevant admissions tutor, and you will receive one of the following responses within two weeks: Unconditional Offer, Conditional Offer, No Offer.

4) If your application is successful and you wish to enrol, accept your offer.

5) Enrol Typically, enrolment will open 4-6 weeks prior to the start of semester. However, if you have an unconditional offer, you can enrol sooner (Note: Course materials will not be available until official enrolment period is open).

Further information can be found in our apply section.

Tuition fees vary depending on the programme you choose. Fees for the academic year 2026/27 for each programme can be found on page 14 of the student handbook. Alumni of Heriot-Watt are also entitled to a 20% alumni discount. To claim an alumni discount please contact the Student Engagement Team prior to purchasing your course.

Our online learning platform provides you with a flexible and engaging learning experience. You'll have access to course materials, lectures, assignments, and communication tools through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This platform is designed to facilitate interaction with your course leaders and fellow students, enabling you to study at your own pace while staying connected with your peers and academic team.

Our courses offer unique, authentic assessment tailored to each course and aligned to its objectives. There is no requirement to attend in-person examinations; instead, each course is assessed by a Final Online Assessment. These are assessments you take remotely and alone in your own space.

You will have 24 hours to complete the assessment by downloading the paper and uploading your answers. You’ll also have access to your notes, course material, and the internet to consult during the assessment. All assessments will be available within the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

RPL is a process where Heriot-Watt University assesses your prior qualifications or professional experiences to grant exemptions from specific courses in your MSc programme. These exemptions apply only to core courses within your programme and not to elective courses.

Our online students form an integral part of our student body, and we are always delighted to welcome graduating online students to our annual graduation ceremonies.

New students follow the process below:

1. Accept your offer: Visit the online application portal to ensure that you have accepted your offer.
2. Enrol in your programme: You will have received an email with your new Heriot-Watt account details within 24 hours of receiving your offer. Follow the instructions on this email to set up your password. Then, Enrol Online using your new account details.
3. Register for your courses: Follow the link from the enrolment confirmation page or use the direct link (https://go.hw.ac.uk/HWOCourseReg) to register and pay for your first course/s.
4. Accessing your courses: Upon paying for your course/s you will receive an email invitation with instructions to link your Coursera account. This email may occasionally take a few days to be processed. You will receive an announcement closer to the start of term as soon as access to your Orientation course, as well as your registered course/s, become available. If you do not receive access to your courses when your programme is due to begin, please kindly reach out to HWOAdmissions@hw.ac.uk.

Continuing students will be able to register for further courses by visiting https://go.hw.ac.uk/HWOCourseReg.

No - the tuition fees include all exams, known as Final Online Assessments, study materials and other expenses associated with the course.

As a Heriot-Watt student, you’ll be welcome to attend and receive your degree certificate alongside the on-campus students in Edinburgh, Dubai or Malaysia when you complete the programme.

Yes - if you need to pause your studies for any reason, you can do so without penalty or loss of progress for up to 12 months.

The degree certificate you receive when you complete the programme will be awarded for a Master of Science in Computer Science from Heriot-Watt University. It doesn’t mention ‘online’ or ‘Coursera’ anywhere on the degree certificate.