Global study tour

Your passport to studying in Dubai

This is your chance to take part in a one-week study tour to our Dubai campus from Monday 10 to Friday 14 February 2025 (semester 2 week 5). As you will be organising your own travel, you may choose to stay longer or travel to nearby cities and countries.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to fully immerse yourself in the rich and diverse culture of Dubai while continuing your studies.

Applications are open and close on Monday 28 October (9am).

This is different to the two-week UK study tour that takes place from Sunday 2 February to Friday 14 February 2025 (semester 2 week 4 and 5) and applications for this closed on Friday 4 October.

You'll be part of something bigger

Students from the UK and Dubai will also be taking part in the Global Study Tour, allowing all students to experience our different campuses together in the same week.

Check if you’re eligible

The study tour is open to first and second year undergraduate students from Heriot-Watt University.

Your programme must be offered in the campus you would like to transfer to. You can check this by searching for your programme page and checking the Go Global banner. This will show if your programme is offered in Dubai, the UK or both.

Go Global Banner

Register now

The first stage is to complete a short application form so that the team can check your eligibility and confirm that there is space on your programme in Dubai or Malaysia. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and you will find out by Friday 15 November if your application has been accepted.

Start your application

Step by step
  1. Complete your Study Tour application form.
  2. The Global Student Office (GSO) will contact you by Friday 8 November via email to confirm if your application has been accepted.  
  3. Sign and return the Learning Commitment Contract which will be sent to you after you have received support from your Head of School to participate in the study tour.
  4. Attend the engagement sessions, in person and online, to meet the other students taking part in the study tour, and staff from your home and host campuses.
  5. Check the requirements, organise and obtain visa or any official approval on your own from respective government agencies to travel outside Malaysia and to enter into Dubai or any other cities or countries that you plan to visit.
  6. Together with all other students of the same tour, you will be added to the Study Tour MS Teams site. This will give you access to information and the chance to engage with other students taking part.
  7. Book your accommodation and flights. You may refer to more information about accommodation and flights in the FAQ section of this webpage.
  8. Complete and obtain approval of your HWU Travel Risk Assessment Form (TRAF). Email the approved TRASF to the Global Student Office for record keeping.
  9. Obtain travel insurance for your trip. You may purchase the travel insurance from your preferred agent or from the agent recommended by HWUM.
  10. Attend the online pre-departure briefing to talk through the final steps before you go.
  11. Arriva at the host campus and enjoy your learning and living experiences.
  12. Return to your home campus and commence your study in Week 7.

Explore the campuses

FAQs

Costs

How much will the study tour cost?
The cost depends on the flights and accommodation that you choose. Approximate costs can be found below which were accurate as of 25 September 2024 and may subject to change without prior notice.

Dubai:

  • Direct flights from £501 return, flights with 1 change from £371 return.
  • Accommodation at KSK from £26 per night based on two people sharing.


How do I pay for the study tour?
You will pay for your own flights, accommodation (either on and off-campus) and any other associated travel costs. There are no fees to be paid to Heriot-Watt University for the study tour itself. Apart from attending your classes, the University may organise events during the week, and you will find out about these during the engagement sessions.

Visa and travel arrangements

When should I arrive in and depart at the Dubai campus?
You will see your timetable before you arrive, but classes can start from 9am (local time) and end by 5pm (local time). It is strongly recommended that you arrive one day before the start of your study tour and depart no earlier than one day after the last day (Saturday 15 February 2025). You must return to your home campus to commence your study in Week 7.

Do I need any insurance?
We advise that you take your own travel insurance, either from you own agent or an agent recommended by HWUM. You can find further details on the MS Teams site which will be created in November. Please be aware that any travel insurance claims will be on a reimbursement basis, meaning you will need to pay upfront and be reimbursed later after your study tour.

Additionally, while you are on campus, you will be covered by the University’s insurance, provided you have completed and submitted the Travel Risk Assessment form to your home campus Health and Safety Department.

Accommodation

What accommodation is available?
Students are required to book and pay for their own accommodation. The recommended hotel is KSK. This is one of the hotels that students transferring for a semester or year stay in. We have secured a great deal at £26 per night based on two people sharing and a free daily shuttle bus to campus will be provided.

There are a range of alternative options available in Dubai at different price points and based on individual rooms and shared rooms.

Please ensure that you obtain all necessary information prior to booking your accommodation. More information will be provided during the engagement session or via MS Team site or email to the Global Student Office.

Travel arrangements

You should fly into Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Your programme

If I have an assessment deadline during the study tour, what should I do?
You will be required to keep up to date with your studies while you take part in the study tour. You may choose to submit work electronically or hand in work the week before. If you have any in-person assessments e.g. presentations, you should seek advice from your academic on alternative arrangements that allow you to take part.

If I have failed a course, can I take part in the study tour?
Yes, but unfortunately if you have failed 2 or more courses you will not be allowed to take part. The Global Student Office will be in touch with you throughout the process, including after you receive your exam results in January. We will be able to advise you at that stage.

Will I need to attend lectures and tutorials while I am on the study tour?
Yes, you will be expected to continue with your studies. To do this, you will be provided with information on how to access the timetable so that you can attend the same classes.

Learning at our other campuses is a key aspect of the study tour. All classes are the same high standard and taught in English. Our academics at the host campuses look forward to welcoming you as a new student, providing support to ensure a seamless continuation of your studies.

Meeting people

Will I meet other students taking part before the study tour?
Yes, there will be a couple of engagement sessions, either online or in-person, in the lead up to the study tour and a dedicated MS Teams site set up so that you can meet the other students taking part and receive support with accommodation, flights, travel insurance, visas, your programme and more.

Will I meet staff from the host campus before the study tour?
Yes, staff from the Global Student Office based in Malaysia, and staff from the campus you will be visiting will be in the MS Teams site and will join the engagement sessions and pre-departure briefing so that you are clear on your key contacts and have support from both teams in the lead up and during the study tour.

If you have any questions in the lead up to the study tour, you may raise in the MS Teams site for support.