Fees and finance

Tuition fees and living costs

The cost of postgraduate study at Heriot-Watt University depends both on the chosen course and the nationality of the student. See tuition fees.

The cost of living in Edinburgh is lower than in some other UK cities. Typical living costs are estimated by the Heriot-Watt student welfare office to be around £8,500 per year.

Funding available

SAAS

UK and European students can receive support for fees and maintenance (UK students only) from the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) and in some cases their Local Education Authority (LEA). Fee scholarships from SAAS are in high demand, and you must first have received an offer of a place on one of our courses before you can be nominated for funding.

Overseas Scholarship Scheme

Overseas students who hold a first degree with a classification equivalent to a first-class UK BSc degree can receive a £2500 fees scholarship from the School. The normal deadline for applications is 30 June, and an application form can be obtained by contacting the Postgraduate Taught Courses Office.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

Applicants from developing Commonwealth Countries who have a first class undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for this award. The Award covers Full tuition fees, living costs and return airfare. Only one place is available in the School and will be offered to a candidate with an outstanding academic background.

James Watt studentships

As part of an ambitious expansion programme to intensify further our world-leading research programmes, Heriot-Watt University are offering James Watt Scholarships in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences for academic year 2016/17, opportunities may be available to both UK/EU and Overseas students.  

Carnegie Bursary

This is available to Scottish applicants who hold a First Class degree and are deserving of the award (eg financial need). The Award is limited and is awarded on a competitive basis.

Alumni Scholarship Programme

Available for all postgraduate taught MSc courses offered by EPS. For students on a one-year full-time course the value of the Scholarship is 20% of the tuition-fee level. For part-time or other modes of study the value is pro-rata to the above level, up to a maximum of 20% of a one-year fee. Students studying on a course offered jointly with another university (Erasmus Mundus courses and several courses joint with Scottish Universities). The Scheme is open to students who pay their own fees (discounts are not given to sponsors that pay tuition fees).

Panasonic Fellowship

Eligible for UK applicants who have membership of a UK Engineering Institution (any level) and relevant industrial experience for the MSc Energy, MSc Renewable Energy Engineering and MSc Sustainability Engineering. The Award of £8000 is limited and offered on a competitive basis. Applicants should apply directly to the Panasonic Trust.

Panasonic Award

Eligible for UK applicants who have membership of a UK Engineering Institution (any level) and relevant industrial experience for the distance learning MSc Energy course. The Award covers 50% of tuition fees Applicants should apply directly to the Panasonic Trust.

Other funding

Please see a further list of Scholarships and Bursaries.   In addition to the main sources of funding, support from specialist charities can also be available. Please contact the Postgraduate Taught Courses Office for more information.