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Overview
Heriot-Watt University (HWU) specialises in degrees in science, engineering, technology, business and design – and has a first-rate record for its graduates securing well-paid, high-skilled jobs once they leave. It is one of the UK’s top performers in our graduate jobs metrics and other surveys are similarly complimentary. An analysis of UK universities conducted last year by Novuna showed Heriot-Watt had the highest proportion of graduates of any Scottish university in chief executive or managing director roles. The university began life more than 200 years ago as a mechanics’ institute, so the accent here has always been on real-world, careers-focused education. The decision to make its Riccarton campus the home of the new National Robotarium, a partnership with the University of Edinburgh which will explore the practical applications of robotics on everyday life, is no coincidence. Around one in six UK students is recruited from outside Scotland – a more mixed UK recruitment pattern than at many Scottish institutions. Most are based at the main Riccarton campus on the western edge of Edinburgh. There are smaller outposts in Galashiels, where fashion, textiles and design courses are based, and Orkney, home to three postgraduate MScs in marine science and renewable energy, as well as the International Centre for Island Technology.
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Paying the bills
UK students recruited from outside Scotland can secure £12,400 of bursary support over four years to more than offset the extra £9,250 in tuition fee costs incurred by studying for an extra year in Scotland, where four-year courses are the norm. The £3,100 per year HWU bursary is paid to all students from the rest of the UK (RUK) who come from homes with an income of £25,000 or wbc247주소 less. The payment drops to £2,100 per year where income is between £25,001 and £35,000, and to £1,100 where income is between £35,001 and £42,600. HWU also pays RUK students a £1,500 Travel Home bursary in their first year to help with travel expenses. An expenses bursary worth up to £525 to help with study costs is available for Scottish students from homes in postcodes that are among the 20% most deprived, rest of UK students from homes in the 20% of postcodes that send the fewest to university, care leavers, carers and estranged students. About 50 HWU access bursaries worth £1,000 in each year of study are awarded each year to Scotland-domiciled students from widening participation backgrounds. With nearly 2,000 places in accommodation available, the university can guarantee a room for first-years. Prices in Edinburgh begin at £7,000 for a 40-week tenancy and rise to £8,400 for an ensuite room in the most modern flats, while a standard 40-week tenancy for accommodation on the Scottish Borders campus, in Galashiels, costs from £5,880 to £7,200.
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What’s new?
The easing of travel restrictions post-pandemic has allowed HWU to revive its Go Global programme, which gives students the opportunity to transfer to one of the university’s overseas campuses in Dubai or Malaysia for a term, a year, or even longer. Teaching takes place in English on all campuses and the syllabus is the same as it is back at home, providing students with a study abroad experience with minimum fuss. For students not seeking a break from the cloud and rain of the UK, the establishment of the National Robotarium on the Edinburgh campus will provide them with new research and study opportunities. In their downtime, students in Edinburgh can make use of the Oriam indoor tennis centre, which was opened earlier this year. With six indoor courts and some of the finest acrylic playing surfaces anywhere, the centre is suitable for both competitive and recreational matches. The centre – which joins other outstanding on-campus sports facilities – is used by Tennis Scotland as well as students and the local community.
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Admissions, teaching and student support
Applicants from postcodes among the 20% most deprived in Scotland, or the 20% of postcodes from which fewest go on to university in the rest of the UK, and those who are care-experienced qualify for minimum entry offers from HWU. Contextual admissions, which can equate to a one or two-grade reduction on the standard offer, are also made to other groups of students. These include applicants from the next quintiles of Scottish deprivation and low university participation measurements; those who have received free school meals or attended schools with relatively low university progression rates; carers and estranged students. Personal tutors receive mandatory training in student support as part of HWU’s mental health strategy. Daily drop-in sessions with counsellors are available on campus as a first contact point for students experiencing difficulties. Services are not time-limited, and the number of counselling or support sessions offered to students is governed by need. Student engagement is monitored and designated student success advisers work with those considered to be at risk of dropping out in order to keep them on track with their studies. The university supports all of its students via the careers and graduate futures team. A dedicated Aspiring Futures programme has been developed specifically for widening participation students. This includes an online support platform and bespoke workshops on career planning, building professional networks and social capital, and identifying and promoting skills and experience.