Undergraduate tuition fees

How and when to pay your fees

This page explains how and when you pay your tuition fees. For tuition fee figures, see the 'Fees and funding' tab of each programme in the programme finder.

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on your residency status. This is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your programme.

If you are not sure about your eligibility for tuition fees or financial support, please contact the student finance organisation in the country where you live. 

International students can complete a fee status enquiry form, which allows us to assess your fees. Tuition fees are higher for international students, and the form allows us to assess whether you have a relevant connection to the UK that might positively influence your fee status. Guidance notes on applying for student support are available on the UKCISA website.

Scottish students

The tuition fee for each programme is usually paid for you by SAAS.

If you are a full-time student from Scotland and you satisfy the eligibility requirements, you will have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government through the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). You must apply to SAAS for payment of your tuition fees each year, even if you are not applying for any other support.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

• For 2024 entry at Heriot-Watt, the variable tuition fee will be £9,250 per year for a BA/BSc/MA honours degree.
• The maximum level of the fee charged to students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales is regulated by the Government and is subject to increase. Heriot-Watt University reserves the right to increase fees in line with increased regulated fees to both new and continuing students.

Tuition fee loans

Student loans for tuition fees are available for eligible students.

Read more about: Student loans

You may also be eligible for scholarships and bursaries from Heriot-Watt University to help pay for your fees and living costs.

European Union (EU) students

September 2020 entry (or earlier)

If you are from an EU country outside the UK and began your undergraduate degree programme in September 2020 or earlier, and you satisfy the eligibility requirements, you will have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government through the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). You must apply to SAAS for payment of your tuition fees each year, even if you are not applying for any other support.

September 2024 entry

The UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, and officially withdrew from the EU on 31 January 2020. This affected tuition fee arrangements for EU students enrolling from September 2021 onwards (excluding students from the Republic of Ireland); most EU students will pay the same fees as other international students. For further information, please see our information for EU applicants.

International students

• The tuition fee varies for each programme. Find your chosen programme using our course finder and refer to the 'Fees and funding' tab for the exact fee figure.

Tuition fees are higher for international students, so if you are unsure which category you fall in to, you should complete a fee status enquiry form, which allows us to assess whether you have a relevant connection to the UK that might positively influence your fee status. Guidance notes on applying for student support are available on the UKCISA website.

How do I pay tuition fees?

Tuition fees paid by a sponsor or funding body

If your tuition fees are being paid by a sponsor, funding body or through a government Tuition Fee Loan, they will pay the fees to us directly.

Paying your own tuition fees

If you are paying some or all of your own tuition fees (i.e. if you are a 'self-financing student'), you are personally liable for your tuition fees and you must pay them no later than 30 days after the start of your programme.

You can pay your fees online and in other ways using our student service centre.