Heriot-Watt University Dubai was one of the first international universities to open a campus in the UAE, established in 2005 in Dubai Knowledge Park. As one of five campuses in the global Heriot-Watt network (Edinburgh, Galashiels, Orkney, Dubai, Malaysia), the Dubai campus delivers UK-quality education informed by the university's 200-year heritage. Programmes span Foundation, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught, and PhD across the Edinburgh Business School, the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Mathematical & Computer Sciences, Energy/Geoscience/Infrastructure & Society, Social Sciences, and Textiles & Design. The campus is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), holds the KHDA's top 5-star quality rating, and was named "Best University" at the inaugural Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards (2019). The new James Watt Building (48,000 sq ft, opened 2025) marks 20 years in Dubai with modern learning spaces, an Active Learning Classroom, a 200-seat auditorium, and a revamped Student Hub. Students benefit from inter-campus transfers to Edinburgh and Malaysia.
1 years · Undergraduate (Foundation)
1 years · Undergraduate (Foundation)
1 years · Undergraduate (Foundation)
1 years · Undergraduate (Foundation)
1 years · Undergraduate (Foundation)
1 years · Undergraduate (Foundation)
Tuition varies by programme - see each programme card in the Programmes section for indicative annual fees. Additional administrative fees (2025/2026): re-assessment / examination AED 152 per course; replacement student ID AED 45; replacement degree certificate AED 225; in absentia certificate delivery (DHL) AED 103; thesis resubmission (Masters/PhD) AED 435-650; visiting scholar AED 155 (6 months) / AED 305 (full year). Graduation: in-person ceremony free; in absentia ceremony free. Fee status is assessed at enrollment and typically fixed for the duration of the studies. Electronic payment methods are preferred - bank transfer details available for both AED and USD accounts. Refer to Heriot-Watt's Financial Responsibilities document for full payment policies and late fees.
Merit-based scholarship for new undergraduate and postgraduate entrants. Award level reviewed during the offer process based on academic performance.
Awarded for strong school-leaving results. Engineering applicants may also be eligible for the Undergraduate Engineering Merit Scholarship.
Awarded to postgraduate applicants with strong undergraduate academic records.
For applicants to the flagship Edinburgh Business School MBA. Awarded based on professional experience, leadership potential, and academic merit.
Scholarship for female MBA applicants advancing in business and leadership.
For MSc Petroleum Engineering applicants. Targeted to high-achieving candidates in the energy sector.
For Civil Engineering applicants. Aligned with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) accreditation pathway.
Reduced fees for Heriot-Watt alumni progressing to further study, and (under the Family Scholarship variant) for immediate family members of alumni.
For siblings or family members of currently enrolled Heriot-Watt Dubai students.
Discount applied when the full years tuition is paid in advance rather than via instalments.
For students from GCC and UAE backgrounds — see scholarship page for current grant amounts.
Awarded for outstanding contribution to sports or community service.
For employees of corporate partner companies. Companies should contact the university directly.
For high-achieving undergraduate Engineering applicants. Stacks with the standard Undergraduate Merit Scholarship review process.
For applicants to the Global College (Foundation / pre-degree pathway). Awarded on academic merit.
Heriot-Watt University Dubai welcomes applications year-round on a rolling basis. Entry is based on academic achievement and English-language proficiency. The Dubai campus follows the same academic standards as the UK Edinburgh campus, and degrees awarded are identical regardless of campus.
Register on the application portal at https://hwacuk.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login to begin your application.
Fill in the online application. You can save your progress and resume at any point.
Pay the non-refundable AED 300 application processing fee per programme applied to. MBA applicants are exempt from this fee.
Upload all required academic transcripts, English-language certificates, ID, and references via your application account. Scanned copies are accepted initially; originals may be requested later.
Academic staff review your application - typically within 2-6 weeks of receiving a complete package. Outcomes: unconditional offer, conditional offer, or rejection.
Return the acceptance form within 2 weeks. Pay 10% of first-year tuition plus an AED 1,000 refundable security deposit to secure your place.
Heriot-Watt Dubai sponsors student residence visas for enrolled non-UAE students. The visa process begins after offer acceptance and deposit payment.
Heriot-Watt University Dubai is based in Dubai Knowledge Park, a designated free zone hub for higher education in Dubai. Students enjoy a vibrant campus life centred around the new James Watt Building (opened 2025) with social spaces, careers support, an active Student Council, and access to inter-campus opportunities across the UK, Malaysia, and the Scottish Borders.
Heriot-Watt does not operate on-campus halls in Dubai. Through Student Services the university partners with private residences and hotel apartments offering Heriot-Watt rates and concierge support. All arrangements are made directly between students and providers.
The Careers Service supports students throughout study and after graduation — on campus inside the James Watt Building and online via the global Heriot-Watt Careers network. Strong industry links across UAE engineering, finance, energy, technology, and design sectors.
Heriot-Watt University Dubai sits in Dubai Knowledge Park — a designated free-zone hub for higher education in the heart of Dubai. The campus comprises a main building plus the new James Watt Building (48,000 sq ft, opened 2025) which marks the universitys 20-year anniversary in Dubai. The James Watt Building accommodates around 1,500 students with seven learning spaces, five social areas, and a 200-seat multi-purpose auditorium.
Real-time market-data terminals with a live Bloomberg feed — used for finance, trading, and business analytics teaching across the Edinburgh Business School programmes.
Confidential counselling and mental-health support, alongside the WattBuds peer-mentoring scheme and Students of Determination specialist support.
First-floor one-stop centre covering student records, exams, transcripts, KHDA attestations, finance payments, and UAE student visa processing. Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 (Ramadan hours apply); contact student-services-dubai@hw.ac.uk / +971 4 571 7000.
Indoor studio space for fitness, dance, and yoga classes — used by the Student Council clubs and wellbeing programmes.
Multi-purpose venue combining cafeteria and auditorium-style seating — hosts large-format teaching, guest lectures, employer events, and student gatherings.
Specialist studio space serving Fashion, Architecture, and Interior Design programmes — drawing tables, design software workstations, model-making and prototyping equipment.
Dedicated psychology laboratory equipped for behavioural and cognitive research, supporting BSc and MSc Psychology programmes.
Fifth-floor startup incubator supporting student and alumni ventures from the Edinburgh Business School. Office space, mentorship, and access to the wider EBS corporate-partner network.
Library with academic textbook collection, research databases, electronic journals, and resource guides. Staff support for research queries.
Discipline-specific labs across mechanical (dynamics, materials strength, thermofluids), electrical/electronic (oscilloscopes, function generators, digital multimeters), and chemical engineering (heat transfer, fluid mechanics, process control with ASPEN and MATLAB).
Up-to-date software and hardware with Office 365 and specialist applications. ID-card printing and photocopying, with IT Helpdesk support.
Edinburgh-inspired design with individual study pods, multi-purpose deck, and window-facing desks for focused independent study.
Grouped orange seating and collaborative table arrangements for team-based and project-based learning.
Central digital hub for course materials, assignments, discussions, and progress tracking.
New padel and basketball courts in the parkland area immediately adjacent to the Academic City precinct.
Modern auditorium with high-fidelity audio-visual and broadcast systems — supports lectures, events, and student showcases.
The social heart of campus — gaming systems, varied lounge seating, and collaboration zones for breaks and group work.
Quiet space dedicated to student wellbeing and mental-health support.
On-campus cafes and a supermarket accessible directly from the building — convenient for daily essentials.
Provost and Vice Principal
Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai. Previously Executive Dean of Edinburgh Business School from 2016. Career began in investment banking followed by 17 years running her own executive search firm before moving to academia. Founder of the Taylor Bennett Foundation (diversity in communications) and co-founder of the 30% Club (women in senior leadership). PhD in Structured Finance (Hong Kong), MBA (London Business School), BSc Agricultural Economics & Marketing (Newcastle), CGMA. Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. CBE 2015; Dame 2023.
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Dubai Knowledge Park, PO Box 501745, Dubai, UAE
