FAQs

You can find out everything you need to know about applying for the programme you want to study in the 'How to apply' section.

For most of our Postgraduate Taught programmes, international students must apply at least 6 weeks before teaching is due to begin. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK you can apply up to 2 weeks before the start of teaching. If you wish to apply for a course after teaching has commenced, please contact pgadmissions@hw.ac.uk for advice.

After submitting your application and uploading any required supplemental documents such as a transcript for past studies, our team will review your completed application – this can sometimes take up to 6 weeks during busy periods so please don’t worry if you don’t hear back from us right away. We’ll send you an email to notify you when an update has been made and you will be able to view our decision by logging in to your application account and view any offer conditions that you may be required to meet.

A maximum of five choices is available via your UCAS application. The majority of students pick the same subject at five different universities. Whichever programmes you decide to choose, you should only apply to universities you want to go to. If you have not used all your choices, you might be able to add another later, depending on your status.

You can read the 'Help with your application' section for some hints and tips on what to write in your personal statement.

Portfolio advice and guidelines can be obtained in the entry requirements section on relevant programme pages – expand the ‘additional information’ box to see full details.

Specific information on entry requirements can be found under each programme description. General information on the types of qualification that we accept can be found in the 'Entry requirements' section.

If you have missed a grade required to meet the conditions of your offer, you should contact us to find out whether or not your place can be confirmed. Some students may be accepted and others may be offered an alternative programme (please note that students who achieve the conditions of their offers do not need to call as their place will be automatically confirmed).

For those who find themselves without an offer of a place, or decide to apply late, Clearing is a service available between July and September, but is mostly used after the exam results are published in August. If you are flexible and you have reasonable exam results, there is still a good chance you will find another programme through Clearing.

There are other routes to entry if you don't have the necessary qualifications to start on one of our degree programmes.

At Heriot-Watt University we welcome students who wish to take a gap year before beginning their studies. If you wish to defer entry then it is important to tell us this on the appropriate section of the UCAS form. The admissions tutor will probably want to discuss your plans for the year, but most recognise that a gap year spent travelling or working can be valuable preparation for university life.

If you have already applied and are now unable to start your studies as planned, you can request to change your start date. Our Deferral Policy provides guidance as to when and how deferrals can be requested and the rationale for accepting or declining this request.

It may be possible to gain advanced entry onto some of our programmes, depending on your qualifications. Each programme section details second year entry requirements for students holding A-Levels or Advanced Highers. You can also find general guidance on advanced entry on the entry requirements page.

Most programmes operate an informal interview system whereby applicants are invited to discuss their programme of study with staff. Some hold compulsory interviews. A telephone interview may be possible for those who are unable to attend in person.

As our programmes are taught and assessed in English, applicants must be able to prove their level of English language ability as part of the application process. More information on these requirements.

Any student who will need a student visa to study with us at one of our UK campuses will need a CAS number for their visa application. Once assigned, we will provide you with a unique CAS number in a letter, sent via email. More information on how and when to get a CAS plus other useful details for international students.

Master of Business Administration programmes run as online study and are also taught at our Malaysia and Dubai campuses.

As a student, you will have two main types of expenses: tuition fees for your programme and living costs. Tuition fees are different for each programme, and your living costs will vary depending on your situation.

There may be additional financial support available to you, such as a student loan, depending on your circumstances.

Yes, a range of scholarships are available for students planning to study at Heriot-Watt University.

Heriot-Watt's academic year is split into two semesters. You can check the academic calendar for the exact semester dates.

All our undergraduate Honours Degree programmes are four years in length (some offer an accelerated option where, subject to meeting the entry criteria, you can begin your studies in Year 2 bringing the total duration of the degree down to 3 years), some enhanced first degree programmes are five years in length.

Halls of residence are available at the Edinburgh Campus, Scottish Borders Campus, Dubai Campus and Malaysia Campus.

There are no halls of residence or University leased flats at our Orkney Campus, but our Orkney Student Support Adviser is happy to help you find private accommodation locally.

All students studying at the Edinburgh Campus can register with the Heriot-Watt Health Centre, which provides medical and dental services. Our Student Support office is also equipped to provide support and guidance on issues such as accommodation, personal counselling, welfare, academic counselling and finance. Students with disabilities are offered an extensive range of support from our Disability Service.

Study abroad is integral to all of our language programmes, and is available on some of our other degree programmes. Many such exchanges do not require multi-lingual skills. Please consult individual programme pages for more information.

Heriot-Watt is firmly focused on delivering a first class educational experience that equips you for life and your career. Our degrees are career focused and relevant to the needs of business and industry, which is why employers actively seek out our graduates. Find out more about what you can expect from your career after studying at Heriot-Watt.

Our award-winning Careers Service can help you find part-time work and vacation employment.