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Join The Student Room TodayBe part of the UK's largest and fastest growing student community. It's free to join and a lot of fun - Get inspired, express your ideas, interact and share Heriot-Watt UniversityFrom The Student RoomTSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > Heriot-Watt University
 Heriot-Watt University is a university based across several sites mostly in and around Edinburgh in Scotland, though it also has sites in Galashiels, Stromness and Dubai. It is one of the oldest high education establishments in the UK even though it has only been a uni for just over 40 years, having been granted university status in 1966. As an undergrad uni it's very small having around 5500 undergraduate students. FacilitiesLibrariesHeriot-Watt University Library covers all the subjects taught in the University - the major scientific and engineering disciplines, management, languages and textiles & design. It holds the main periodicals in these subjects and has an extensive range of books and current awareness material. The main subjects covered are: Accountancy & Finance Actuarial Mathematics Biochemistry Brewing Building & Estate Management Business Law Business & Management Chemical & Process Engineering Chemistry Civil Engineering Computer Science Economics Electrical & Electronic Engineering Languages - particular emphasis on interpreting and translating from Arabic, French, German Spanish and Chinese Marine Biology Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Microbiology Offshore & Petroleum Engineering Physics Planning & Housing Textiles It also has 56 PC Caledonia workstations located at the west end of Level 4. The IT help desk is also found on Level 4. IT and ComputingAll computers in the University buildings are run on a network called PC Caledonia. There is at least one PC caledonia lab located in each academic building. There are also a vast number of PC Caledona computers located on the fourth floor of the library. All university accomodation has free internet access to all it's residents, however this access has nothing to do with the PC Caledonia network and runs externally. SportsThe campus is renowned for the quality of its sports facilities, including three sports halls, numerous playing pitches, squash courts, gyms, Sports Medicine Centre and Performance Laboratory, plus a Sports Academy. The Sport and Exercise centre is used by students, staff and members of the local community. It also assists those on campus who are persuing study in Sports science courses and the Sports Academy is used extensively by Hearts football club. WelfareHeriot-Watt University Student Welfare Services provide students with support, advice and information on accommodation, funding and a range of personal and disability issues. They provide a professional and confidential counselling service which covers personal matters and academic counselling can be arranged through the Careers Advisory Service. They also support and train the campus wardens. They offer support and professional advice to staff when they are concerned about a student’s mental health or personal circumstances and the impact that it is having on a student’s course of study. HealthcareThere is a medical centre on campus in which all students (apart from those that usually reside in Edinburgh) are welcome to register for NHS medical care. You can register to the medical centre when you accept your offer from the university or when when you are registering onto your course. ShopsThere is a student shop located in the main university building. It tries to accomodate for most student needs and sells food, toiletries, cleaning products, stationary, University labeled items including hoodies and gifts, and alcohol. It basically operates as a newsagents and a mini-mart. There is also a Blackwell's book store located on campus. While, it is true to admit that it may not be the cheapest place to buy books, it does stock up with all the academic books that every course at Heriot-Watt uses ultimately making it the most reliable place to find the academic books you need.
RestaurantsThe Microbyte Despite the name, The Microbyte offers much more than ‘microchips with everything’. It’s a popular destination thanks to its tempting range of hot and cold snacks, including freshly baked baguettes with a delicious assortment of fillings, from salads to salami. You can also mix and match with our Meal Deal range, so one day it may be a freshly baked baguettes with bottled water, while the next its a chicken burger with chips and a soft drink. Opening times: Monday to Friday - 8.30am till 4.00pm The Middle Floor Refectory The Refectory offers an all-inclusive breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack service – something for everyone, during the week or at weekends. Our experienced chefs are always responsive to special dietary needs and will ensure that if you are vegetarian, vegan or require a gluten free or Halal meal, you will be well catered for. Opening times:
The Venue Cosy and comfortable, The Venue offers a similar range of food to The Mircrobyte and is a cosy retreat for reading or catching up with friends. Whilst you are there, why not enjoy a panini or share a delicious oven baked pizza, all washed down with a coffee or juice. Opening Times: Monday to Friday - 11.00am till 2.30pm The Bistro Situated in the peaceful and stylish surroundings of the Edinburgh Business School, The Bistro offers freshly made sandwiches and nutritious baked potatoes with a variety of tempting fillings. If you are looking for something more substantial, between 12.00pm and 2.00pm you can delve into a menu packed with great hot meals, always including a range of daily specials. A quick chat with friends or a serious debate on matters academic will be helped along with a cappuccino, espresso or latte, not to mention specialty teas, soft drinks and fresh fruit juice. Opening times: Monday to Friday - 9.00am till 3.00pm Café Brio Café Brio, the University’s Coffee Shop, is always open and ready to satisfy your caffeine cravings. It offers a haven for café conversation and relaxation, fuelled by our freshly ground coffee, speciality teas, fresh fruit smoothies and soft drinks. A variety of tasty light meals is available, including baked potatoes; breakfast paninis; toasties; wraps and Cranks vegetarian sandwiches, not forgetting the muffins, flapjacks, scones and French pastries. Opening times: Monday to Friday - 8.00am till 5.00pm Scholars Bistro Scholars Bistro offers the best of restaurant cooking for an affordable price. Why not let your inner-foodie loose amongst our extensive menu of fabulous dishes and daily specials, including healthy and vegetarian options? If you show your matriculation card you will also be treated to a 17.5% discount on your food bill. Opening times: Monday to Friday - 11.00am till 3.00pm Scholars Bistro can open evenings and weekends for groups of over 15 people, advanced booking required. BanksThere is a Royal Bank of Scotland branch located on campus along with an RBS ATM also. Other ATMs include an Alliance and Leicester one found in the Student Union and an independantly run ATM located at the main entrance of the University. TransportThere are a couple of services that run frequently between the campus and Edinburgh city centre run by Lothian Buses. The 25 and 34 run every 15 minutes between the Campus and the City Centre. The N25 is the 25 Night Bus which runs through the night (Good if you are coming from a night out in the city centre). Careers serviceHeriot-Watt University has a Careers Advisory Service that provides impartial and confidential careers advice and guidance to students and graduates. They help students to identify career goals and to develop the skills required to find employment. Part-time jobsReligious facilitiesHeriot-Watt University has a Chaplaincy which is open to everyone and welcomes those who are religious and those of no faith. It is used by students, university staff, external groups and conferences. The Chaplaincy is mainly aimed at Christians, with events throughout the week, a full-time Chaplain and several part-time Chaplains from various Christian denominations. Freshers are sent a leaflet containing this information and listing external contacts for Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims. Other religions are not acknowledged. In addition to the Christian events, the Chaplaincy has activities for international students and a group for wives of international students. Heriot-Watt also has a designated Muslim prayer room where Muslim students can pray each day and where meetings of the Muslim society are often held. Heriot-Watt Discussions
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Bars, Pubs and clubsEventsWeekly events in the Student Union: Monday- The Monday Night Project Tuesday- Hairy-Watt Comedy Club Thursday- HW Live Friday- The Big F Clubs and societiesAccommodationAccommodation policyFacilitiesResidencesAt Heriot-Watt University, there are four different types of Residences within the main Edinburgh Campus. They are; - Catered - Self-Catered/En-Suite - Self-Catered - Self-Catered Flats The University offers these rooms to 1st year students, and normally group you together by interests and sometimes by courses (depends on what you put on your application). Catered There are 3 different Catered blocks; Midlothian, Linlithgow and Pentland. Midlothian and Linlithgow are split into 3 separate block A, B and C. Pentland is split into 2 block A and B. Each room has a desk, wardrobe, sink and a bed, also a radiator. Some students in these halls are lucky enough to have a room which was designed for 2 people, which are now for 1 person. If living in Catered halls, the meals are served in the main building (Hugh Nisbet) and are pre-paid by using your Matriculation Card, which is given at Registration at the beginning of term. In the actual halls, there are no facilities to cook food, except a mini oven for snacks. These halls offer shared bathroom facilities. Usually with 3/4 toilets and showers per floor. Each floor is single gender. Self-Catered/En-Suite There are 5 separate halls which have en-suite facilities. These are; Robert Bryson, George Burnett, Robin Smith, Lord Thomson and Lord Home. In these rooms, you get the same as the Catered, except no sink, as this is within the en-suite bathroom you recieve. In these halls, they have kitchens which you share with up to 5 people in your corridor, and have facilities which allow you to cook your own meals. They have a fridge, freezer, cooker and kettle. All other cooking facilities need to be bought by the students. Self-Catered The only self-catered, non en-suite halls is Leonard Horner Hall (which I live in - the editor of this article :P ). There are 4 blocks - A, B, C and D. Block A is the Conference Centre, which has around 30 bedrooms which are let out to visitors who visit the University for conferences. Block B, C and D, all have around 60 rooms, on 3 floors. There are 10 rooms in each corridor, and have 2 kitchens to share between 5 people. There is also a bathroom / shower room which the whole corridor shares, and also a separate toilet for females / males within that corridor. The kitchen is the same as the ones in Self-Catered/En-Suite, but probably a bit bigger! Within each block there is a TV lounge, which has a TV, where people can chill out after lectures and just hang out with fellow people who live in the halls. Self-Catered Flats According to Heriot-Watt site, there are 3 different flats, which are Caddon, Ettrick and Yarrow. Each flat is fully furnished and most consist of one twin bedroom with three single bedrooms, kitchen/dining/sitting room area and its own bathroom facilities. I've never seen these flats, but seen signs for them!! Private sectorStudent unionPricesEnvironmentArchitectureIn 1969, the land for Heriot-Watt's current Edinburgh campus was given to the University for one penny and it began moving there from its previous location in 1971. Because the campus is located in a green belt, buildings cannot be more than 4 stories high. The styles of architecture range from angular brown brick buildings to grey box-like structures. The newer buildings, such as the self-catering residences, have a more uniform appearance. Construction is currently underway for a Postgraduate Centre. Local areaHeriot-Watt's main campus is located at Riccarton, on the western edge of Edinburgh. Due to its green belt location, the campus has a lot of trees and grass, making it a pleasant place to be. In sunny weather, many students like to sit on the grass outside the Union with their drinks and sometimes music is played over the outdoor speakers. The area gets very busy and has a great atmosphere. Another popular place to sit is the Sunken Garden, the large grassy area behind the library. The campus also has its own loch, complete with swans. Other wildlife includes squirrels and many rabbits. The northern part of the campus is the Research Park, where private companies can set up research departments, though this area is mainly empty so there is currently a large grassy expanse between the few research buildings and the university itself. Teaching qualityApplying to Heriot-WattThinking of applying to Heriot-Watt University? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here? Other Heriot-Watt ArticlesWhy not read these other Heriot-Watt University Articles? Links |
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