Information & Records

Policies and procedures for the organisation, retrieval and data protection of University information and records and Freedom of Information (FOI) are available here. The policies and procedures cover the management of student files, records, transcripts and certifications as well as the forms for retrieval and transfer of records.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOI) provides important new rights of access to information held by Scottish public authorities, including Heriot-Watt University. The Act also applies to companies that we own, either wholly or in partnership with other public authorities. This site provides all the information that staff need to know about Freedom of Information. It also includes a summary for FOI representatives and Section Heads and lists the FOI School and Support Service representatives.

Here you'll find information about the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner and the work that the Commissioner is doing to promote and enforce freedom of information in Scotland.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 provides important new rights of access to information held by Scottish public authorities, including Heriot-Watt University. The Act also applies to companies that we own, either wholly or in partnership with other public authorities. Under the Act we must adopt and maintain a publication scheme which sets out the classes of information that we commit to publish routinely and explains how you can access this information. If information is requested from us we must provide it, or a valid reason for not doing so, within 20 working days. Some information is exempt from disclosure, for instance if its release would seriously prejudice the commercial interests of any person or organisation or breach the Data Protection Act, 1998.

The Archive, Records Management and Museum Service is part of Corporate Affairs and Management Services. We preserve, manage and provide access to the University's archive, art and artefact collections. We promote their use by staff, students and the public in research and scholarship; and in displays and exhibitions. In addition, we operate a records management appraisal, storage and retrieval service for administrative and academic departments to help the University make the best use of its resources and ensure that important events of the present are recorded in the archives of the future.

The University has Libraries at the Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Dubai Campuses. This website includes information on all three libraries and the services that they offer. Information on borrowing, ordering, printing, enquiries, inter-library loans, regulations and periodicals can all be viewed here. Access to a number of databases and other electronic resources is available through this site.