Undergraduate students

You’re so close to starting your journey at Heriot-Watt and we’re here to support you at each step of the way.

Important dates to remember
Activity	Date
Campus accommodation open to applications	3 March 2025
Campus accommodation deadline	23 June 2025
Enrolment open	June 2025
Get Ready for Success @ HWU	26-28 August 2025
Arrivals Weekend for campus accommodation	30-31 August 2025
Welcome Week	1-5 September 2025
First week of timetabled classes	8 September 2025

View full academic calendar

Get ready for University life: what to pack and plan

Tech and getting connected

Visit the step-by-step guide to learn how to enrol as a student and in your classes. Your academics and support staff will outline any other tech that you need to know about during Welcome Week.

MyHWU is your student portal which you can access from the website or app – we recommend the app so that your key resources are all easy to access.

You will need a laptop or tablet during your studies. We do have a laptop loan scheme if you required this.

What to pack

Living on campus

The Watt Living website is packed with blogs and packing guidance from students who have been in your position.

To help you pack you can also check what is included in rooms at the Scottish Borders campus, as well as the traditional and contemporary rooms types at the Edinburgh campus.

Accommodation

Accommodation

Public transport and getting around

Edinburgh

Bus

Buses are operated by Lothian buses and run from campus to the city centre every 10 minutes. Remember under 22s are eligible for free bus travel across Scotland.

Train

Curriehill train station is a 20 minute walk from campus, and the buses stop near Haymarket and Waverley train stations. There are also cycle routes to the city centre and bike storage on campus.

Car

Students with cars can either utilise the Hermiston Park & Ride or park on campus.

Scottish Borders

Buses to the town centre do stop near campus, or walking in can take 30-45 minutes. There’s a car park on campus which is shared with Borders College. Remember under 22s are eligible for free bus travel across Scotland.

Campus facilities

Edinburgh

There are a range of options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in the catering outlets and shop.

There’s also a range of facilities to get you active, help you relax and allow you to socialise.

Scottish Borders

The canteen and café are open during the week, and The Lounge in the High Mill Building and The Thread in Jean Muir Student Village have facilities for heating up food, relaxing and socialising.

Find out more about the borders facilities.

For commuting students

Whether you live in the city centre or will be commuting from home during your studies, we know you’ll have some specific questions to make planning your time and getting to campus easier.

Timetable

Teaching takes place Monday to Friday between 9am – 5pm but the amount of teaching time varies by programme. On Wednesdays, teaching finishes by 2pm to allow you to take part in sports and other interests. You can use the timetable explorer to get an idea of your class times, but they will be subject to change.

The winter and summer breaks have already been set and you can view these on the academic calendar for 2024-2025.

Food on campus

At the Edinburgh campus there are microwaves in your School’s crush area and the central food court. There’s also a hot and cold water tap in the library. This is in addition to the catering outlets and shop.

At the Scottish Borders campus there’s a microwave in the Lounge in the High Mill Building, as well as the canteen and coffee shop in Borders College which is available to all students.

Computers and getting connected

There are computers available for your use in the library, GRID and other study spaces around campus.

There are also lots of places you can charge your phone or other devices, whether this is in the study spaces, the catering outlets, Student Union or in your School’s crush area. These are also great places to relax and socialise.

Lockers

At the Edinburgh campus there are lockers in the Student Union building and changing rooms in Oriam if you’re participating in sport or going to the gym.

For international students

Pre-arrival checklist

We’ve outlined some key steps to help you avoid common issues and delays.

Visas and immigration

Our visa advice and compliance team have put together guidance on visa requirements.

Flights and arrival

If you’re arriving by plane, we recommend flying to Edinburgh Airport as its only 30 minutes to the Edinburgh campus and 1 hour to the Scottish Borders campus. We have organised a shuttle bus from the airport on specific days, so look out for an email from our international team on how to book your place.

Cultural integration

As a new international student, you'll be joining one of the largest international student cohorts at a Scottish university.

There are opportunities to socialise with those from specific cultures and countries through student societies, events and our Chaplaincy. There will also be an international student welcome event in your first week so you can meet peers and get advice from our friendly teams to help you settle in.

What to expect during Welcome Week

Induction takes place during Welcome Week, 1 to 5 September 2025 and is an organised programme of welcome and introductory activities you will participate in as a new student joining a particular programme of study. It is mandatory as we want to ensure you are connected, clear on expectations, and have had a chance to meet your lectures and fellow students before teaching starts.

There will also be a range of social activities during the daytime and evening that are free and open for all students, whether they live on campus or commute. They will be listed on the student events calendar and on Canvas.