Welcome to Heriot-Watt University
Step-by-step guidance from accepting your offer to starting your first class. Select each step to find out what you need to do, when, and how. Work through them in order so you don’t miss anything important.
Your key steps
Step 1: Accept your offer
If you are an undergraduate student you can accept your offer through UCAS. The deadline for you to respond to your offers will be displayed on your UCAS Hub account. Please ensure that you respond by the deadline stated.
If you are a postgraduate student you can log in to your application account to check the status of your application and accept your offer.
If you are an international student, we recommend that you check visa requirements and consider your student finance options early. You may also receive emails from the University with requests for specific information.
Step 2: Receive your student ID
To access the myHWU Student Portal and all University facilities you will need your Heriot-Watt student ID and username. This will be sent to you in an email with the subject line Welcome to Heriot-Watt if you hold an unconditional firm offer, or if you hold a conditional firm offer and you have met the conditions of your offer.
Step 3: Student finance
Being a student comes with a lot of financial obligations, and it is important that you are aware of these before you start your studies with us.
Tuition fees will most likely be the biggest financial obligation you have, and you should make sure you understand how and when to pay these before you start with us.
There may also be Scholarships and Bursaries available to you, which can give you some additional support and funding during your university career.
If something unexpected happens to you during your studies which means you come into financial difficulties, the University may be able to support you during this time. Cost of living support is available to Heriot-Watt students.
Step 4: Apply for accommodation
We offer on-campus accommodation in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. For students studying at our Orkney Campus, the University provides information and advice on looking for accommodation.
If you have questions about Edinburgh on-campus accommodation, you can email halls@hw.ac.uk. For Scottish Borders accommodation, you can email bordershalls@hw.ac.uk
Step 5: Enrolment
Enrolment is the process of formally joining the University and becoming a Heriot-Watt student. You agree to abide by the rules of the University as set out in the Student Declaration, confirm that we have your details correct, and to pay any fees.
When enrolment opens and as long as you have a confirmed offer, you will enrol online using Student Self Service. You log in using your Heriot-Watt University username. You will need this username to set up your password. By clicking on the link to set up your password you accept the University's IT and Communications Acceptable Use Policy. To help keep your Heriot-Watt account safe you will need to set up Multi-Factor Authentication. You may have used a similar system to access online banking or a personal email account.
Off-campus research students, please go to Step 8.
Step 6: Registering for classes
After you enrol online, you will need to register online for your courses using the Student Self Service (each programme – the degree in the subject you are studying – is made up of a number of courses). Access to course registration may vary depending on your programme, as you may require guidance before making your choices, so if you have questions about your courses, make sure you discuss these with academic staff at your induction.
Step 7: When you arrive
The Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney campuses all vary in size with the Edinburgh campus an impressive 300 acres. To help you find rooms for your induction and beyond you can access a map of your campus.
If you’ll be staying in campus accommodation, then we recommend that you arrive during the Arrivals Weekend which is 30-31 August, the weekend before your Induction. Our teams will be on-hand to support you and there will be a range of social events so you can get to know other students and your flatmates. Please do keep a look out for emails from our accommodation team with compulsory training and information on how to book an arrivals slot.
If you’re an international student 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
If for any reason your airline is unable to check your permission to travel (your eVisa) or you have been unable to access your eVisa, you can ask them to contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub. Get prepared now by checking that your immigration permission is correct before travelling and if there are problems this UKVI page gives advice on what they can do.
Step 8: Induction
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.
Induction is an organised programme of welcome and introductory activities you will participate in as a new student joining a particular programme of study. After you enrol online, you log in to the myHWU Student Portal and go to your subject site on Canvas where you will find details of your induction programme including times, venues and activities. This site will also give you access to a range of resources and information about the University and your programme.
You need to make sure you participate in all of your induction programme.
Induction is your opportunity to:
- Meet your lecturers.
- Find out about the programme.
- Find out about the resources and support available to you.
- Ask any questions.
- Meet the students you will be studying with.
New research postgraduate students should contact their School for information on induction events.
During Welcome Week you will need to go to the drop-in enrolment completion event on campus – this is where you will collect your ID card after a document check and get programme, visa and financial support. New off-campus research students should Log an enquiry to request their ID card.
Resources for your first few weeks
You’ll be taking lots in during your first week so here are some key links and resources that you want to save now to make things easier.
Canvas
All information on your course will be published on Canvas.
Student A-Z guide
If you’re not sure where to go for help you can refer to the student A-Z guide.
Student Portal
Once you have enrolled you can use AskHWU on the myHWU Student Portal to have any questions answered.
Student events calendar
All social events will be published on the student events calendar.
Student Union
The Student Union run events, provide support and representation, and manage over 30 student-ran societies that you can get involved with. There will be taster sessions at the start of the semester.
Sports Union
At the Edinburgh campus, the Sports Union have over 60 sports clubs for all levels of ability with free taster sessions at the start of the semester. Many clubs train at Oriam, Scotland’s National Sports Performance Centre, and it offers student membership options.
Accommodation arrivals information
All the steps you need to take before and after you move into campus accommodation.
Edinburgh Campus information
Summary of accommodation, facilities, transport and student life.
Scottish Borders Campus information
Summary of accommodation, facilities, transport and student life.
Orkney campus information
Summary of nearby accommodation options and transport.
Accommodation at Orkney Campus
There are no halls of residence or University leased flats at the Orkney Campus, but our Orkney Professional Services Staff are happy to help you find private accommodation locally.
Maps and directions
You can get to Orkney either by air or by car/bus/train and ferry. While in Orkney there is a regular bus service between the two main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness.