How to Search for Programmes at Heriot-Watt University

Updated

Go to the "Search our programmes" tool on hw.ac.uk and filter by study level — Foundation, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, or Graduate Apprenticeships — then search by subject keyword. This is the fastest route if you already know roughly what you want to study and at what level. If you are still deciding, start from the "Study with us" section instead, which groups programmes by level and links to broader study options.

Where the programme search sits

The homepage carries a "Search our programmes" block with a level selector and a search field. The same block appears under the "Study with us" heading, which lists the main entry points:

  • Foundation programmes
  • Undergraduate study
  • Postgraduate study
  • Research
  • Graduate Apprenticeships

Choosing a level first narrows the catalogue before you type a subject, which matters because the same subject area can appear at several levels with different entry requirements and campus locations.

Step-by-step: finding a specific programme

  1. Pick your level. Use the dropdown in the search block to select Foundation, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, or Graduate Apprenticeships. If you are unsure, run the search without a level filter first to see what exists.
  2. Enter a subject keyword. Type the subject rather than a full programme title — for example "textiles" or "engineering" — because official programme names vary and a broad term returns more matches.
  3. Review the results. Each result links to a programme page. Check the campus, since Heriot-Watt teaches across Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, and the same subject may be offered in more than one location.
  4. Open the programme page for details. Entry requirements, study options, and programme structure sit on the individual programme page, not in the search results list.

Expected result: a filtered list of programmes at your chosen level, each linking to a page with full entry requirements and study options.

Choosing between levels

Level Use it when
Foundation You need a preparatory route before an undergraduate degree
Undergraduate You are applying for a first degree
Postgraduate You already hold a degree and want a master's or similar
Research You are looking for a PhD or research programme
Graduate Apprenticeships You want to combine work with study

Common sticking points

  • No results for an exact title. Programme names change; search the subject instead of the title you saw elsewhere.
  • Wrong campus assumed. Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia each host different programmes. Confirm the campus on the programme page before applying.
  • Level mismatch. A subject you find at undergraduate level may not be offered at postgraduate level, or vice versa. Re-run the search at a different level.

Where to go next

For entry requirements and study options, open the individual programme page reached from the search results. For a general overview of the university before you search, the "Study with us" section and the campus pages describe what each location offers.