UK campus students

Changes to UK's Visa regulations

You may be aware of the recent UK Government announcement regarding international students and some changes to the UK’s visa regulations.

Heriot-Watt welcomes the confirmation that the Graduate Post-Study Work route will remain open and competitive. That means that international students can remain in the UK and work for up to two or three years after completing their studies, gaining experience, and helping to address critical skills shortages.

It has been confirmed that only students at PhD or Research level will be allowed to bring dependants with them to the UK. It is important to note the policy changes apply to anyone considering starting their studies in the UK from January 2024 onwards. If you intend to join us in September 2023 the proposed changes do not apply to you.  

Please be assured that international students continue to be warmly received at Heriot-Watt. Your contribution is hugely valued and your decision to study here is extremely important to us. We will support you at every stage of your student journey.

Our University is proud of its status worldwide as a culturally diverse, warm and welcoming institution. Our global footprint includes campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders and Orkney. Our doors remain firmly open to international students.

If you have any questions about studying with us, please get in touch with us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

International Student Advice (Global Student Office)

The Visa Advice and Compliance team (VAC), part of the Global Student Office (GSO) advises and supports international students based at any of our UK campuses. If you have any concerns or queries, we will be happy to help you. We can provide a wide range of information and support, from immigration advice to welfare issues both before and after you arrive in the UK.

VAC has close links with all academic Schools within the University across all of its campuses, and with support services such as Recruitment and Admissions (International Recruitment Section), Student Wellbeing Services, and the University Chaplaincy.

How to contact us

The main way to contact our team, including our Global Student Advisor is through the Student Portal by raising an enquiry via AskMyHW. We are here to support you before and during your studies and can offer face to face and online appointments which can also be booked through your Student Portal by selecting the appointments tile in your Student Portal.

Our team

Our team is currently going through some change just now.  We have our Student Visa and Compliance Manager, Peter Scott, our new Global Student Advisor Nadia Khan and our Global Student Assistant Oscar Tang.  The team can give you support and advice on many different aspects of studying in the UK.  If you query is more complex, we will offer you a one-to-one appointment with our Student Visa Manager or our Global Student Adviser.

Where we are

We are based in the Student Service Centre (SSC) in the Hugh Nisbet Building on the Edinburgh Campus.

Opening hours

The Student Service Centre is open 10.00-16.00, Monday to Friday, however you do need to book an appointment via the Student Portal if you wish to discuss anything in person other than if you are coming to attend one of our weekly drop ins.

Drop in times during term time are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 14.00-16.00 until the end of September, no booking required.  From October our drop ins will take place, Monday to Thursday from 14:00 - 16:00 

Appointments For more complex visa and immigration specific enquires can be booked through your Student Portal under the appointment tiles, from October these will take place on Monday from 14:00 - 16:00 and Friday 10:00 - 12:00. 

Contact the Visa, Advice and Compliance team

Our Visa, Advice and Immigration team are available to answer your enquires through the Student Portal. You can also view frequently asked questions (FAQs) for many topics related to international students studying at our Scottish campuses.

If you intend to study at Heriot-Watt University but are not yet a student, if you have an immigration or visa enquiry please email studywithus@hw.ac.uk .