Undergraduate Students

Heriot-Watt's world class learning environment and strong links with employers enable our students to prepare for successful careers. Take a look at our extensive range of undergraduate courses or use our Course Finder to see what is available in your area of interest. There are options for flexible and external learning as well as short courses. In addition, entry requirements, financial information, accommodation details and an alternative look at student life at Heriot-Watt are available to help you make that decision.

You can view the most up to date information about the courses and programmes of study that most interest you. We offer a wide variety of courses from Architectural Engineering, Robotics and Cybertronics, and Chemistry with Forensic Science, through to Sport and Exercise Sciences, Fashion Design for Industry and Applied Psychology.

Heriot-Watt is the perfect foundation on which to build a successful career. We are a university for business and industry at the forefront of research and teaching innovation. Often referred to as Scotland's international university, one in three of our on-campus students come from outside the UK and there are over 10,000 students studying Heriot-Watt programmes in their own countries.

Edinburgh, the second largest city in Scotland, has been the capital since 1437 and is now once again the seat of the Scottish Parliament. The city is dominated by Edinburgh Castle, perched atop an extinct volcanic crag, and the long sweep of the Old Town trailing after it along the ridge and was one of the major centres of the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century. Edinburgh is well known for the annual Edinburgh Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world and for its New Year celebrations, which include the largest street party in Europe.

Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh campus provides a top quality living and working environment in one of the world's great cities. The Campus occupies 380 acres of mature meadow and woodland to the west of Edinburgh, just six minutes from Edinburgh airport, and some 20 minutes from the city centre by car. On site we also have the Edinburgh Conference Centre, one of the top conference venues in the country. The Campus is also home to a large Research Park, the first of its kind in Europe, demonstrating Heriot-Watt's commitment to active collaboration with industry.

We are acutely aware that you have made a decision to invest in your future. In return you will want a first-class educational experience that equips you for life and your career. Heriot-Watt is firmly focused on this outcome, which is why employers actively seek out our graduates. The percentage of our students who go into full-time degree-related employment is higher than the national average and our graduates have a superb record of achievement in their chosen fields. Our alumni would acknowledge the positive contribution Heriot-Watt has made to their success. Why not let us do the same for you?

The accommodation service allocates places on campus. There are approximately 4,500 students studying at Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh campus and just over 1800 residential places are available. The majority of these places are allocated to new students. This site holds information on our accommodation options and charges, our policy for allocating accommodation, and our procedures for applying. A useful guide on visitor accommodation is also accessible here.

Choosing the right university can be a complicated decision. The best way of determining whether or not Heriot-Watt is right for you is to spend some time here prior to submitting an application. The Open Day is intended to give you an accurate picture of what it is like to be a student at Heriot-Watt University. A central exhibition of academic Schools will provide the opportunity for you to discuss course options with relevant members of staff. While on Campus you can also tour the residential accommodation, student union, sports centre and anywhere else that you think is important.

We are proud of the fact that Heriot-Watt University has a long history of welcoming students from a whole variety of routes. This includes pupils from schools where applications to university are low, students who have no family background or cultural experience of higher education, and mature students with no formal qualifications who might want a second chance to enter university via an access course. We have articulation arrangements with a number of local further education colleges enabling their students to apply for a higher qualification at Heriot-Watt availing of exemptions, where applicable.

Heriot-Watt has a diverse student population made up of young and mature students from throughout the UK, Europe and overseas. Every year, a number of mature learners become students at the University having successfully completed an HNC/D, Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP), or other Access course, or a range of Highers. The University values the impressive personal qualities and eagerness to engage with the learning process that mature students very often demonstrate and we make every effort to provide an experience that meets their needs and assist in the successful achievement of their academic and career goals.

School pupils in Edinburgh, Midlothian, East or West Lothian, may be eligible for the support of Lothian Equal Access Programme for Schools (LEAPS) which aims to promote higher education to young people and help prepare them for the transition from school to university. Heriot-Watt University is an active partner in LEAPS, which supports pupils from families has little or no experience of university, or those that have been affected by adverse circumstances that have affected their studies over the years. The University pledges to make conditional offers wherever possible to LEAPS eligible students.

At Heriot-Watt we co-ordinate a number of projects and initiatives that aim to encourage and support students and potential learners to be successful in higher education, even if they may not have traditionally thought a university education was for them.

Tuition fees are payable each year of your course. Details of financial support, fee waivers and other information are available from Academic Registry. Scholarships are available in a number of cases subject to conditions and your individual circumstances. Alternatively, support for living expenses may be available depending on your circumstances or perhaps a part-time job is a requirement?

You can request a printed Heriot-Watt Undergraduate Prospectus. Simply enter your contact details in the online form attached, indicating your areas of interest and one will be posted to you.

You should apply electronically through the UCAS website. All applications are carefully considered by an Admissions Tutor and the offers procedure is explained. Guidance for completing the UCAS application is included here and the closing dates for completed applications. An interview or visit may be necessary in certain cases.

A range of scholarships are available to ease the financial strain on students qualifying for such an award. Applicants should refer to the School of their choice for information on the scholarships or financial support available.

The SCHOLAR supported-learning programme provides common educational resources and a 'virtual college' support network. An initiative of Heriot-Watt University, a SCHOLAR course can be studied through a partner school or college in your area, or directly with the University. Credits that you earn can gain you exemptions from some university or college courses, meaning that you can progress faster towards a higher education degree. Heriot-Watt University welcomes applications from students with good Higher, Advanced Higher, HN and A-level credits. The programme gives you the flexibility to choose how far you go in your studies and how fast you progress.