Parents and carers

We’re here to support your young person and their future. Learn more about what joining Heriot-Watt involves and how you can support your young person throughout the university experience.

Applying to University

Once your young person has decided on which programmes and universities they’d like to apply to, they will make their application through UCAS (the University and Colleges Admissions Service).

They will make just one application that contains five choices and one personal statement. This personal statement must be relevant to all five choices. Find out more on our application page. This process can seem complicated but there’s lots of information on our website and our UCAS website to make this clear.

The UCAS application process explained

Finance and funding

The financial support available from a university can vary. Learn about the scholarships, bursaries, and loans available to students.

Scholarships and bursaries

Each year, hundreds of students access a variety of Heriot-Watt and externally funded scholarships, including opportunities funded by the University's generous alumni community.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees differ depending on a students’ fee status. They are paid every year by the student or covered by SAAS or student loans.

Student life

University is about more than your studies. Students will be part of the Heriot-Watt community with access to campus amenities, clubs, societies and a global network.

Safeguarding and security

On campus our SafeGuarding Services operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our officers are on hand to support students with the challenges of university life and living away from home. They are all first aid and mental health first aid trained.

Sport

Oriam, Scotland’s National Sports Performance Centre, Oriam is located on campus. Students can access the gym, fitness classes and an active wellbeing programme, and use its facilities on their own or with their sports clubs.

Clubs and societies

We have over 60 student-led societies and 30 sports clubs that students can get involved with.

Accommodation

We have over 2,000 rooms available on campus and a variety of options to suit all needs and budgets. Students in their first year with us will also be guaranteed accommodation.

Support for students

Our teams work collaboratively to ensure there’s a strong level of support available to students. The careers service are also there for your young person after they graduate, offering lifetime support. Thanks to the careers service and our career-focused degrees, we’re first in Scotland and top five in the UK for graduate employability (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023).

Widening participation

Student wellbeing

Disability service

Careers and employability

A student ambassador speaking to a family at an open day

Visit opportunities

We’d love to have you and your young person visit us on campus. Our open days take place in the Autumn and our guided campus tours run every week.

This is a great way to explore campus and some of our teaching and recreational facilities that your young person would use as a student.

Speak to other parents and carers

It can be daunting supporting your young person as they decide what and where to study. We are part of the closed Facebook group and website forum, What I Wish I Knew About University (WIWIKAU).