How to Visit Heriot-Watt University or Attend an Open Day

Updated

Heriot-Watt University runs Open Days in 2026 where you can explore its campuses, talk with academics about your chosen subject, and learn about student life. The university's website provides a "Sign up now" link for these Open Days, which is the entry point for arranging a visit. Beyond scheduled Open Days, you can also visit the university's five campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, each with its own character and facilities.

Open Days 2026: What to Expect

According to the university's website, Open Days 2026 are designed to let you:

  • Explore the campuses in person
  • Chat with academics about your chosen subject
  • Discover more about student life at Heriot-Watt

The site presents this as a sign-up event, with a "Sign up now" call to action. If you want to attend, start by locating that sign-up link on the Open Days section of hw.ac.uk.

How to Sign Up

The page evidence does not detail the exact steps after clicking "Sign up now," so the reliable approach is:

  1. Go to the Heriot-Watt University website (hw.ac.uk).
  2. Find the Open Days 2026 section (it appears in the homepage carousel).
  3. Select "Sign up now" to begin registration.
  4. Complete the form with your details and preferred campus or subject area.

Because the source does not specify form fields, deadlines, or confirmation steps, treat any additional requirements as things to confirm directly on the sign-up page.

Choosing Which Campus to Visit

Heriot-Watt has five campuses, and your visit should match your interests. The university describes them as follows:

Campus Character and focus
Edinburgh Set in 380 acres of parkland; wide variety of programmes and specialist facilities
Scottish Borders Countryside location at the heart of Scotland's textile industry; specialist facilities and production equipment for textiles, fashion, and design
Orkney One of the UK's most stunning and unique university locations; over 25 years of research, teaching, and consultancy
Dubai Extensive range of research-informed degree programmes in a global study environment, with strong links to business and industry
Malaysia High-quality British education with a range of courses and global study opportunities at a modern campus in Putrajaya

If your subject is textiles, fashion, or design, the Scottish Borders campus is the natural fit. For the widest programme choice and specialist facilities, Edinburgh is the main campus. Dubai and Malaysia suit those seeking a global study environment with industry links.

Before You Go: Search for Your Programme

Open Days are most useful if you already know which programmes interest you. The website offers a programme search with these levels:

  • Foundation
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • Research
  • Graduate Apprenticeships

Use the search before your visit so you can ask academics specific questions about the course you are considering.

Practical Points to Confirm

The available page evidence does not state Open Day dates beyond "2026," nor does it list travel directions, parking, or accommodation details. To avoid surprises:

  • Check the Open Days page for exact dates and times.
  • Confirm whether your preferred campus hosts the subject you want to see.
  • Look for any separate arrangements for Dubai and Malaysia campuses, since they operate in different countries.

A Note on the University's Profile

Two facts from the site may help you decide whether a visit is worthwhile. The university states that 86.8% of its research is ranked world-leading and internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and that it is first in Scotland for graduate outcomes, producing the highest percentage of CEO and Managing Director roles (Graduate Outcomes, 2024 and Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2025). If research strength and employability matter to you, these are points to raise with academics during your visit.