Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Heriot-Watt University Dubai was the first British university to set up a campus in Dubai, established in 2005 as the first overseas university campus in Dubai International Academic City. It moved to a purpose-built, LEED Gold-certified campus in Dubai Knowledge Park in 2021, and now hosts over 4,000 students from 115 nationalities. As one of five campuses in the global Heriot-Watt network (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, Malaysia), the Dubai campus delivers UK-quality education informed by the university's 200-year heritage. Teaching is organised into five academic schools - Engineering & Physical Sciences, Mathematical & Computer Sciences, Energy/Geoscience/Infrastructure & Society, Social Sciences (which contains the Edinburgh Business School and the Department of Psychology), and Textiles & Design - plus Global College Dubai, which delivers the Degree Entry (Foundation) programmes. 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). On the 2024 Graduate Destination Survey run by MoHESR, 88.9% of graduates achieved a positive employment or further-study outcome within 12 months, 66% of them within three months. The 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)
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
4 years · Undergraduate
Tuition varies by programme - see each programme card in the Programmes section for the published annual fee. Heriot-Watt prices per year, not per award. Additional administrative fees (2026/2027): re-assessment, re-examination or remedial work AED 155 per course; bench, studio or consumables fee variable; repeating or taking an additional course variable; continued-affiliation enrolment fee while completing a thesis or dissertation AED 560 in year 4 and AED 2,160 from year 5.
Banded by entry qualification: for example A Levels BBB/ABB/AAB, IB 28-32/33-36/37+, CBSE 80-84.9%/85-89.9%/90%+, American High School Diploma 85%/90%/95%. Calculated on the net first-year tuition fee and spread equally across annual instalments for the duration of study.
For high achievers eligible for direct entry into year two of an undergraduate engineering programme. Banded by qualification: A Levels BBC/BBB/ABB/A*AA (UCAS 112/120/128/152), IB 26-27/28-33/34-38/38+, CBSE and Pakistan HSSC 75-79.9%/80-84.9%/85-89.9%/90%+. Turkey Lise Diplomasi bands award 25%/30%/40%/50%.
Awarded on the class of the bachelor's degree, with a published threshold per country: UAE and USA 85%/GPA 3.0 for 10% and 90%/GPA 3.5 for 15%; UK 2:1 for 10% and First for 15%; India CGPA 7/10 for 10% and 7.5/10 for 15%.
For all Global College (Degree Entry) programmes except the Advanced DEP. Banded by school qualification: GCSE/IGCSE 3 Bs up to 5 As, IB MYP three 5s up to five 6s, CBSE year 11 75% up to 90%, American HSD year 12 75% up to 90%. Calculated on the net first-year fee and spread evenly across the Global College year and the subsequent undergraduate degree.
Regional grant for students from the UAE and the wider GCC. Inclusive of 5% VAT and applied to the payment plan issued by Finance.
A limited-time award for students joining Heriot-Watt Dubai: apply and submit the tuition fee deposit before the deadline to receive the discount. Closing date 22 August 2026. Full-time and part-time.
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.
Main intake for all programmes, Foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD.
Available for select programmes only. Check individual programme pages for January entry.
Final Application Deadline: Applications accepted up to 3 weeks before the start of the intake. Late applications risk delays in administrative services.
Recommended Application Window: Most students apply 6-10 months in advance to allow time for visa processing and accommodation arrangements.
Deferral Policy: Offers can be deferred for up to one year, subject to programme availability.
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.
Indoor studio space for fitness, dance, and yoga classes, used by the Student Council clubs and wellbeing programmes.
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.
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).
Confidential counselling and mental-health support, alongside the WattBuds peer-mentoring scheme and Students of Determination specialist support.
Real-time market-data terminals with a live Bloomberg feed, used for finance, trading, and business analytics teaching across the Edinburgh Business School programmes.
Specialist studio space serving Fashion, Architecture, and Interior Design programmes, drawing tables, design software workstations, model-making and prototyping equipment.
Multi-purpose venue combining cafeteria and auditorium-style seating, hosts large-format teaching, guest lectures, employer events, and student gatherings.
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.
Chief Operating Officer
Executive Dean, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (interim)
Associate Executive Dean, Academic Quality
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Dubai Knowledge Park, PO Box 501745, Dubai, UAE
