Heriot Watt University - Dubai campus
The institution
Heriot Watt University was the first British University to set up a Dubai campus in 2005. 2021 is a significant year for Heriot Watt University for two reasons:
- The university is celebrating its 200th anniversary in the UK
- The Dubai branch is moving into a brand new purpose-built campus in Dubai Knowledge Park in April 2021
The new campus is significantly bigger than the previous Dubai campus and reflects growing confidence in Dubai’s reputation as a regional hub for excellence. It has been designed to reflect the interactive and digital learning methods that are increasingly a part of today’s way of learning.
Majors
The university offers a variety of courses under Data Science, Construction and Engineering, Accounting and Finance, Psychology, Architecture and Design (including Fashion and Interior Design), Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
Students not meeting the admission requirements for direct entry into one of Heriot Watt Dubai’s Bachelor degree programs may be eligible to join one of 3 University Foundation programs (in Design Studies, Engineering & Computing or in Business & Psychology). There are also two Advanced Degree Entry programs in the fields of Engineering and Management: these intensive 3-semester programs include a Foundation and the first year of your chosen Bachelor degree so that you then move directly into the second year of your Bachelor upon successful completion.
The main campus, located on the outskirts of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, has long been renowned for its engineering programs. The Dubai campus similarly offers an excellent range of engineering programs at both undergraduate and graduate level. In particular, its range of Master’s programs include highly sought after fields of study, such as Petroleum Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering.
Business students will benefit from the Bloomberg Trading Suite on the new campus, which will provide access to live financial data from global markets and organisations and will prepare students to take up challenging roles in the finance industry.
Students can also benefit from the Enterprise Floor at the new campus, which is devoted to supporting student entrepreneurship and innovation, hosting businesses, staff from partner companies, and educating business leaders. Also offered here is the university’s Watt Inc. entrepreneurship programme in conjunction with Dubai Future Foundation, with activities to help bring business start-up ideas to life.
Scholarships
There are merit scholarships of up to 50% of the annual tuition fee available – this is a one-time offer that is then spread equally across each year of study. In some limited cases, merit students applying for a Bachelor degree at Heriot Watt Dubai may be eligible for direct entry into the second year of the Bachelor degree.
At Master’s level, there are scholarship awards worth 10% – 15% of tuition fees based on academic performance from the Bachelor degree.
As with all scholarship awards, Heriot Watt’s scholarships are highly competitive and we recommend that you begin the application process as early as possible.
Location
The Dubai Knowledge Park, where the new campus is located, sits adjacent to the Dubai Media City as well as the Dubai Internet City. It boasts excellent transport links such as the Dubai Metro and Tramway. The neighbourhood is home to more than 500 businesses and has established itself as a centre of excellence for higher education and professional development.
The Dubai Knowledge Park lies close by to the world famous The Palm Jumeirah. It is also nearby to Dubai Marina on one side and the luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel on the other.
Campus Life
The new campus incorporates a student hub for recreation, clubs and societies. There are a number of social clubs to choose from depending on your person interests – options include the Anime and Gaming Club, Fashion Club, Music Club and more.
If you are adept at sport, then why not try out for one of the university’s sports teams, known as The Hawks? The university has teams for many sports including basketball, football and even dragon boating!
Alternatively, you have all of the glitz and glamour of Dubai on your doorstep! Dubai is renowned for its shopping opportunities (there are over 100 shopping malls and souks to choose from!) but there is also an increasingly varied cultural life available too. Or, if you fancy some peace and quiet, the desert is never far away!
Housing
The Myriad is the primary student residence in Dubai, not only for Heriot Watt Dubai students but for students from a number of different universities. The residence is located in the heart of Academic City, a 30 minute drive away from the new campus. There is a regular free shuttle to/from the Heriot Watt Dubai campus.
The Myriad offers twin, single and premium single rooms with rental costs ranging from 2,000 AED (USD $550 per month) to 3,700 AED (USD$1,000 per month). This premium student residence includes a gym, swimming pool, study rooms, communal kitchens, laundry rooms, high speed wifi and a shuttle bus service to your university campus at no additional cost.
Private apartment rentals in Dubai remain a cheaper option and sharing an apartment is likely to reduce your costs to around $300 per month.
What comes next?
Upon completion of your Bachelor or Master’s program at Heriot Watt Dubai then you may be able to stay and work in Dubai though the length of your residence permit for employment will depend on how well you performed during your studies and also the field of study that you undertook. High-performing engineering students are eligible for 10-year residency permits while short 5-year residency permits may be available to lesser performing students or to students who studied fields such as business.
Seed loves Heriot Watt Dubai because...
Branch campus of a top 400 university (Times Higher Education World Rankings, 2021)
Study at the brand new high-tech campus that opened in Dubai Knowledge Park in April 2021
Study complete program in Dubai or transfer to the main UK campus during your program
Quick Navigation
Key information:
Location:
Dubai, UAE
Type of Institution:
4-year university
Suitable for:
High School leavers Graduate students
Majors:
36 Bachelor programs (including Architecture, Business, Data Science, Engineering, Fashion, Finance, Psychology and Robotics) and 38 Master’s programs (including Artificial Intelligence, Business, Construction Project Management, Data Science, Logistics, Network Security, Petroleum Engineering, Real Estate Management and Renewable Energy Engineering )
Annual tuition (in USD): Bachelor: $16,000 – $19,000 Master’s: $21,500 – $23,000
Estimated annual expenses (USD):
Bachelor: $23,200 – $26,200 Master’s: $31,100 – $32,600
Number of students:
500
Campus housing?
Off-campus residence with free shuttle bus service
Nearest airport:
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Need more info?
- Contact your friendly team at Seed Educational Consulting
