Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University International University of the Year

Academic calendar

Semester dates for our UK, Dubai and Malaysia campuses are listed here and you can find dates for enrolment, teaching, holidays, examination and graduation. Please note the campus holidays or 'buildings closed' days for each campus.

UK Campus session dates for 2018/19
2017/18 dates Activity
21 May – 10 August 2018 Dissertation work / Revision
2 – 10 August 2018 Resits
13 – 14 November 2018 (Edinburgh Campus) Graduation
2018/19 dates Activity
3-7 September 2018 Welcome Week
10 September – 30 November 2018 Semester 1 teaching
3–14 December 2018 Semester 1 exams
17 December 2018 – 4 January 2019 Semester 1 break
7 January – 29 March 2019 Semester 2 teaching
1–22 April 2019 (Easter: 21 April) Semester 2 break
23 April – 17 May 2019 Semester 2 exams
20 May – 9 August 2019 Dissertation work / Revision
14 June 2019 (Scottish Borders Campus) Graduation
18–21 June 2019 (Edinburgh Campus) Graduation
1–9 August 2019 Resits
14–15 November 2019 (Edinburgh Campus) Graduation

UK campus holidays 2018/19

The University buildings - except for student halls of residences - will be closed on:

  • 24 December 2018 - 2 January 2019
  • 19 April 2019*
  • 22 April 2019*

* Edinburgh Campus Library will be open on these days.

Other buildings closed days to be confirmed.

Dubai Campus session dates for 2018/19
2017/18 dates Activity
3-4 July 2018 Graduation
2-10 August 2018 Autumn Diet - Examinations (Resit)
2018/19 dates Activity
2-8 September 2018 Welcome Week
9 September – 1 December 2018 Semester 1 - Teaching
26-27 November 2018 Graduation
3-14 December 2018 Semester 1 - Examinations
16 December 2018 – 5 January 2019 Semester 1 - Break
6 January – 30 March 2019 Semester 2 - Teaching
31 March-20 April 2019 Semester 2 - Break
23 April – 17 May 2019 Semester 2 - Examinations
2-3 July 2019 Graduation
1-9 August 2019 Autumn Diet - Examinations (Resit)
25-26 November 2019 - TBC Graduation

 Dubai campus holidays for 2018/19*

The University buildings will be closed for the following official UAE holidays.

  • Wednesday 11 September 2018 - Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
  • Tuesday 20 November 2018- Mouloud (Prophet’s Birthday)
  • Friday 30 November 2018 - Commemoration Day / Martyr’s Day
  • Sunday 2 December 2018 - UAE National Day
  • Tuesday 1 January 2019 - New Year’s Day
  • Wednesday 3 April 2019 - Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
  • Wednesday 5 June 2019 – Thursday 6 June 2019 - Eid-Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
  • Saturday 11 August  2019- Monday 13 August 2019  - Arafat Day and Eid-al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)

*All dates given, especially for Islamic holidays and special observations are approximate dates only and will be confirmed nearer the time, along with any University closed days.

Malaysia Campus session dates for 2017/18 and 2018/19

Session dates for the 2017/18 academic year vary according to the programme you are taking. For detailed information see the academic calendars for your programme:

Malaysia Campus holidays for 2018

Malaysia Campus Holidays up to 2019*.

The University buildings will be closed for the following official Malaysia holidays.​

  • 1 January 2018 - New Year's Day
  • 31 January 2018 - Thaipusam*
  • 1 February 2018 – Federal Territory Day
  • 16 – 17 February 2018 – Chinese New Year
  • 1 May 2018 – Labour Day
  • 29 May 2018 – Wesak Day
  • 2 June 2018 – Nuzul Al-Quran
  • 15 – 16 June 2018 – Hari Raya Aidil Fitri*
  • 22 August 2018 - Hari Raya Aidil Adha*
  • 31 August 2018 – National Day
  • 9 September 2018 – King's Birthday
  • 11 September 2018 – Awal Muharram
  • 16 September 2018 - Malaysia Day#
  • 6 November 2018 – Deepavali*
  • 20 November 2018 – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
  • 25 December 2018 – Christmas

* Subject to change. 
# As the public holiday falls on a Sunday, a replacement is given the next day on Monday.

Graduation

  • 15 July 2018
  • 2 December 2018