Welcome to Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

Scotland

Andrea Schwedler International Recruitment

Manager (Acting)

Scotland in the World

Scotland is one of 4 countries in the UK

Northern Ireland

England

Wales

Scotland

Four major airports

Six major cities

SCOTLAND •  Unique cultural identity •  Cosmopolitan cities •  Breathtaking scenery •  Population of 5 million •  Own parliament since July 1999 with

power over areas such as education and health

•  Welcoming and friendly people •  Good transport links

A devolved parliamentary democracy…

Varied landscapes

Varied landscapes

Some stereotypes …

The reality…

Life science and medical technology

Tourism and food and drink

Engineering and oil and gas

Literary greats

The birthplace of Harry Potter…

And home of contemporary greats…

A mix of music…

And some famous faces…

Scottish Education

•  19 universities •  International and welcoming •  Over 30,000 students from over 180

countries are studying in Scotland •  Strong research (3rd in the world in

terms of number of papers published) •  Good quality education •  Good employability rates

A respected education system…

City of Edinburgh •  Capital city of Scotland •  Cultural, political,

financial centre of Scotland

•  Student city with four universities

•  Main tourist destination •  11 major annual festivals

such as the Edinburgh International Festival or the Fringe Festival

The City of Edinburgh

Edinburgh (Capital City of Scotland)

Edinburgh Airport

Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh Campus

Scotland

England and Wales

Heriot-Watt University through the ages

Heriot-Watt University through the ages

History •  8th oldest HE institution in the UK

•  founded in 1821 as the world’s first Mechanics Institute

•  Granted University status in 1966

•  an early pioneer of equal opportunities, welcoming female students in 1869 (20 years ahead of other universities!)

What’s in a name?

University commemorates two champions of commerce and technology

•  George Heriot was a 16th century jeweller and financier to King James VI of Scotland

•  James Watt was a great 18th century inventor and pioneer of steam power

Why study at Heriot-Watt? •  Quality education – high rankings for teaching

and research •  No tuition fees for French (and other EU) citizens

– fees are paid by Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)

•  Guaranteed accommodation on campus with free broadband access

•  Lower living costs in Scotland (than rest of UK) – approx. £8000 per year

•  Campus community – all facilities within walking distance

•  Edinburgh – great student city with lots of things to do!

Some figures! •  7000 students on campus

54% Scotland 34% of students from EU and non-EU countries 12 % rest of UK

5 campuses •  Edinburgh Campus

– centre for most activities •  Scottish Borders Campus

– Galashiels •  Orkney Campus

– Stromness •  Dubai, United Arab Emirates •  Campus in Malaysia (2013)

The Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus

Campus & facilities •  Beautiful campus (380 acres of parkland) •  10 km from city centre •  Safe and secure campus with 24/7 security

staff •  On-campus accommodation for 1900

students •  All facilities on campus

- Lecture halls, seminars, laboratories - Shops, places to eat - Bank - Health Centre (doctors and dentists) - Students’ Union - Library - Careers Advisory Service (work opportunities) - State of the art sports facilities - Regular bus connections to Edinburgh

International Campus

•  34% of students from EU and overseas countries

•  great opportunity to study and learn with students from over 100 countries!

•  Rich cultural mix and cosmopolitan atmosphere

•  Many international staff teach and do research at HWU

Academic Year •  Two semester system as of September 2008

•  Semester 1: mid-Sept. to early Jan.   Block 1: Teaching (12 weeks)   Block 2: Assessments (2 weeks in Dec.)

(3 weeks Christmas vacation)

•  Semester 2: mid-Jan. to late May   Block 2: Teaching (12 weeks) (3 weeks vacation in April)   Block 2: Assessments (4 weeks – late April to late May)

Resit exams in mid-August

•  You study 4 modules per semester

= 8 modules per academic year

Academic life •  15-20 contact hours per week •  Independent study and research is very

important •  Focus on critical thinking, questioning, and

discussing issues - do not be shy! •  You are expected to participate in class •  You are expected to ask questions - this is

a sign that you are interested and eager to learn!

•  You will be assigned a supervisor who is your first point of contact

Degree structure - comparison with French system First cycle – undergraduate Usually 4 years •  Year 1 •  Year 2 = roughly equivalent to DUT •  Year 3 BSc (ord) = Bachelor of Science; BEng (ord.) = Bachelor of Engineering. Roughly equivalent to Licence. BAC+3

Degree structure - comparison with French system

• Year 4 BSc (hons); BEng (hons). Roughly equivalent to Master 1. BAC+4. Most UK students leave after year 4.

Degree structure - comparison with French system

Second cycle - postgraduate •  1-year MSc (taught Masters) = Master of

Science •  3-year PhD (Doctorate) •  The MSc is more specialised than the

MEng. •  Students with a BEng (hons) can study for

an MEng.

How do I apply?

• Your teacher will help you apply online through UCAS

• You must apply by mid-January

UCAS APPLICATION FORM

•  Read UCAS website! www.ucas.com : lots of information on how to fill out the form (Form must be 100% complete!)

•  Name, address, email •  Qualification (Bac, IUT, other) •  Employment details •  One academic reference (IUT teacher) •  Personal motivation

NEXT STEPS

•  UCAS will send email your log-in details

•  Go to your UCAS track – personal file on the UCAS website

•  You must respond through UCAS track!!

Types of offers •  2 types of offers

•  Conditional offer = you must fulfil certain conditions (for instance pass your DUT with 10/20) – accept through UCAS track (CF – conditional firm)

•  Unconditional offer = you do not need to fulfil any other conditions. We are happy to offer you a study place. Accept through UCAS track (UF – unconditional firm)

SAAS

•  Students Awards Agency for Scotland will pay your fees

•  Once you offer is unconditional firm (UF) go to SAAS website to fill out the application form www.saas.gov.uk

•  Ask Ms Schwedler for the SAAS guidance note

Accommodation •  You must hold an unconditional firm

(UF) offer before you can apply! •  Apply online at the HWU website for on-

campus accommodation •  Deadline is mid-August 2013 •  A room on campus costs between £90 and

£130 per week •  Each hall has a warden - who will offer

advice and deal with problems

Contracts

•  You will sign a contract with the university or a private landlord

•  You are not allowed to break your contract!

•  It is your responsibility to ensure that you have enough money to pay for your accommodation!

Social life •  Lots of clubs and students societies (sport,

music, art etc.) •  If you play a musical instrument or sing in a

choir, you could even apply for a music scholarship!

•  Get involved - improve your communication and teamworking skills and meet other students

•  Contact the Student Union •  Do some volunteering – you could teach some

French to the British students! •  This looks great on your CV!

When you visit Scotland we hope you get the chance to see some of this….

... or try some of this (but not too much!)

... and not meet anyone like this !

Hope to welcome you next year at Heriot-Watt University!!