Incoming exchange students
School of Social Sciences
This guidance is specifically for incoming exchange students in the following subject areas:
- Business Management,
- Accounting,
- Economics,
- Finance,
- Languages and Intercultural Studies (LINCS)
- Psychology
Heriot-Watt's School of Social Sciences provides cutting edge teaching with an international focus in Business Management, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Languages and Intercultural Studies (LINCS) and Psychology.
As the largest School at one of the UK’s truly global universities, we are proud to have over 50 exchange partners from all over the world.
This page is designed for incoming exchange students and visiting students from those partners and other institutions. It will help you to gather more information about Heriot-Watt University, the School of Social Sciences, and your specific department, whether that be International Business Management or Languages and Intercultural Studies (LINCS)
Application process
Only students nominated by their home institutions can apply for the exchange programme. Once you have been nominated, you need to fill out our application form and return it before 15th June to start in Semester 1 and 15th October for Semester 2.
You will receive a decision on your application within 4-6 weeks of submission. Once accepted you will receive your Welcome Pack and student ID by email. You can also apply for on-campus accommodation at this stage. On-campus accommodation is not guaranteed for exchange students but you may apply for it. Our Accommodation Team can also advise you on finding off-campus accommodation. For more information about accommodation please visit the Accommodation page.
Enrolment process
You will receive your student ID number prior to arrival. This will enable you to start enrolling online, entering your personal details. However, at this stage you will not be able to enrol for your courses. Do not worry! This is normal and we can assure you that you will be able to complete your enrolment on arrival at Heriot-Watt during Welcome Week.
Languages and Intercultural Studies Exchange Programme 2025/26
| Event | Date / Time | Place | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoSS Mixer | Tues 2nd Sept 15:00 - 16:00 | HWU Students Union | This event offers an opportunity for students from LINCs to come together and meet other students in an informal setting. The event will be run with refreshments and ice breaker type games. |
| Welcome Meeting | Wed 3rd Sept 09:00 - 09:30 | Lecture Theatre 2, Hugh Nisbet Building | The team will offer a formal welcome and information about enrolment at Heriot-Watt University and the exchange programme. |
| Department Session for Languages | Wed 3rd Sept 09:30 -11:00 | Lecture Theatre 2, Hugh Nisbet Building | The languages team will offer more information on the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies. |
| Meet LINCS Staff and Students – Coffee Session | Thurs 4th Sept 13:00 - 14:00 | Central Food Court Hugh Nisbet Building Central Food Court | AccessAble | ALL LINCS students and staff! An opportunity for new students to meet their Lecturers and other students on an informal basis before classes start. |
Semester 2 Induction Timetable
📅 Thursday, 8 January | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | James Watt Centre Welcome Session for Semester 2 Incoming Exchange Students
✔ Explore various stalls
✔ Hear from our Visa Compliance Manager, Peter Scott, on settling into life in the UK and at Heriot-Watt
✔ Enjoy delicious food and drinks
We can’t wait to welcome you!
| Event | Date / Time | Place | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Meeting and Department Session for Languages | Wednesday 7th January 09:00 - 09:30 | Lecture Theatre 2, Hugh Nisbet Building | The team will offer a formal welcome and information about enrolment at Heriot-Watt University and the exchange programme. |
| Department Session for Languages | Wednesday 7th January 09:30 - 11:00 | Lecture Theatre 2, Hugh Nisbet Building | The languages team will offer more information on the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies. |
| Event | Time | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Meeting and Department Session for International Business Management | TBC | To be confirmed |
Enrolment Completion Information
Languages and Intercultural Studies
Please see our LINCS Course Catalogue for Exchange Students 2026/27 for further details.
Frequently asked questions
Courses
Students are allowed to change their courses in the first two weeks of the semester, provided they have the pre-requisites for the course they would like to take and that there is availability on the course. You should inform your home institution of the changes in your course selection.
Workload
| Study Period | Heriot-Watt Credits | No. of ECTS Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Per Course | 15 | 7.5 |
| Per Semester | 60 | 30 |
| Per Academic Year | 120 | 60 |
The workload of a full time student is 60 Heriot-Watt credits per semester, equivalent to 4 courses (15 Heriot-Watt credits per course). Students are expected to put in effort of 150 hours per course, including teaching hours.
Courses (or components) usually consist of two hours lecture and one hour tutorial. However, each course and component is different so please discuss with the course leader or your mentor for more details. Students have to sign up for tutorials at the start of each semester (Please refer to the information provided on Canvas for each course).
Timetables
In order to have the best start to your exchange we ask that you arrive on time. The induction meetings will provide you with valuable information and you will also have the chance to meet all the other international exchange students when you arrive.
Welcome Week is 1 - 5 September 2025. You must attend Welcome Week and enrolment events for Semester 1.
Semester 2 starts on 12 January 2026, with Welcome Week running 5 - 9 January 2026. There is no University-wide Welcome Week for Semester 2, but there will be enrolment and welcome sessions for you to attend.
People and support
Only students studying across a full academic year can apply for accommodation on-campus. Exchange students who do not find on-campus accommodation usually find accommodation in the City Centre, with regular buses going to our campus in Riccarton. Please contact the Accommodation Office for more details, via telephone: +44 (0)131 451 3385 or email: halls@hw.ac.uk
Towards the end of your exchange
Transcripts for students studying at Heriot-Watt for Semester 1 only are issued in February. Transcripts for students studying at Heriot-Watt for Semester 2 only, or for the full academic year, are issued in July.