Heriot Watt University, UK

Heriot-Watt University is a public university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was established in 1821

as the world's first mechanics' institute (Royal Charter granted in 1966).

Key statistics

The University has five campuses including three in the UK – Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and

Orkney – Dubai and Malayasia and over 30,000 students on its programmes worldwide. Ranked in the

top 10% in the world for international outlook by THE, Heriot-Watt has the largest international cohort

in Scotland with third of its 9,000 students coming from outside the UK. Its Go Global programme offers

students the unrivalled opportunity to transfer between campuses for a truly international education.

The university has a strong track record for developing industry-fit graduates thanks to their strong links

to business and industry and distinctive range of degree programmes in specialist areas of science, engineering,

design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt has over 30,000 students studying with at their campuses

and online through distance learning.

This includes11,000 on-campus students in Scotland, 4,000 in Dubai and 1,200 in Malaysia.

Our main campus to the west of Edinburgh is situated in the beautiful, purpose-built parkland site,

equipped with excellent modern facilities to support the students learning.

 Heriot-Watt University is renowned for its leadership on critical global issues and is recognised

throughout the world for the quality of its teaching and applied research capability. Big enough to attract

leading academics but small enough to give students the chance to really learn directly from them, the university

offers 400 industry-informed degree programs in its specialist areas of science, engineering, energy,

business, languages and design. Connections with industry at every level develop these to match professional

needs so employers get work-ready, fit-for-industry graduates.

Over 80% of its academics are engaged in the research, delivering ideas and solutions with real impact across

society: using lasers to see around corners, innovating in sign language, designing the eco-friendly buildings of

the future, enhancing oil extraction and securing low-carbon energy.

Knowledge creation and inter-disciplinary collaboration with academia and industry are core to remaining at the

forefront of fields including energy, engineering, actuarial mathematics, photonics and robotics.

Notable Alumni

·        Adam Crozier – CEO ITV.

·        Richard Tait – founder of Cranium.

·        Tammy Kane – co-founder of the fashion label Christopher Kane.

·        Irvine Welsh – author.

·        Bob Keiller – Chief Executive of Wood Group plc.

·        Jock Clear – Senior Performance Engineer with Mercedes and now Ferrari F1.

·        Gary Younge – Guardian journalist.

·        Martin Dickie – co-founder of Brewdog.

·        David Milne – founder and former CEO Wolfson Microelectronics.

English Language Requirements

The following are a general guide but there are some exceptions: students are asked to check

with the relevant academic school within the university.

• Undergraduate students:
  • IELTS 6.0;
  • PTE 57;
  • Cambridge FCE grade B,
  • HWU Academic English programme grade C (or grade B for some programmes).

• Postgraduate students:
  • IELTS 6.5;
  • PTE 62;
  • Cambridge CAE grade C,
  • HWU Academic English programme grade C (or grade B for some programmes).

• There are some exemptions for students who have previously undertaken degree level study in

           English or who have followed a high school programme of A levels or IB.

• Students can take a Pre-sessional Academic English course before they start their degree to build

          their confidence in English and develop their study strategies. Successful progression to a Heriot-Watt

          degree in the same academic year attracts a discount of 50% of the pre-sessional fee. 

Accommodation:

• All new, full-time students arriving in semester 1 (September) and studying for at least 2

          semesters, are guaranteed accommodation, provided their application for accommodation is

          received by the publicised deadline date.

          This guarantee cannot always be offered to students who arrive in semester 2 (January).

• The majority of university accommodation is on the campus in either self-catered flats or halls

          of residence, with high speed broadband and, across campus, Wi-Fi.

• International students are spread across the accommodation so that they are able to meet students

          from different countries and different courses of study.

• Students can apply for a 40-week or 51-week contract and can stay through the Christmas and

           Easter breaks.

                       Edinburgh Campus accommodation

                       There are about 2,000 residential places available on our Edinburgh Campus, all within easy reach

                       of your lectures, sports facilities and the Students' Union.

                       Scottish Borders Campus accommodation

                       There are around 200 self-catered rooms and flats on the Scottish Borders Campus, and the

                       University also leases flats off-campus and in the town centre.

                       Orkney Campus accommodation

                       There are no halls of residence or University leased flats at the Orkney Campus, but we can help you

                        find private accommodation locally.

Each year, hundreds of students enhance their educational experience through a variety of Heriot-Watt

and externally funded Scholarships, including opportunities funded by the University’s generous Alumni

community, based all over the globe.

The University supports scholarship provision with:

• £10m to support fees Scholarships (including £3m for rest of UK (RUK) students).
• £1.5m to support maintenance (living cost) bursaries for RUK students.
• £7.5m to support Scholarships and Bursary payments to home/EU/overseas students.

New scholarships for 2017/18

If you plan to study in Scotland from 2017/18, you may be eligible for one of our 72 new Heriot-Watt

scholarships. Successful Scholars will benefit from a fee reduction in one of three categories:

• Heriot-Watt Distinction Scholarships – 100% reduction (for overseas applicants only)
• Heriot-Watt Excellence Scholarships – 50% reduction (for overseas applicants only)
• Heriot-Watt Merit Scholarships – 25% reduction (for overseas applicants), £2,000 reduction (for Home/EU/Rest of UK applicants)

There are numerous other scholarships. Kindly refer to university website for detail qualifications required.

Other scholarships

You can also apply for the British Government's Chevening Scholarships, and a variety of private agencies

and charities for scholarships, bursaries and grants to study in the UK. For more information visit the 

British Council website or the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.