The following resources can provide general support and information with a range of issues, including university and campus life. There are a number of both university-based and external resources, for all three UK-based Heriot-Watt campuses: Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney. Please note that resources and services in the Scottish Borders and Orkney are limited, though there are a number of national resources listed that can provide you with help or support. The Wellbeing Service for your campus can also help to signpost you to local services that may be useful to you.
Overseas students in Dubai and Malaysia campuses can access some of the general information provided, though please be aware that there are specific resources within your own campuses that can help with any issues you may have. For more information, please visit the Wellbeing pages for your campus or contact dubaiwellbeing@hw.ac.uk or counsellinganddisability@hw.ac.uk.
Student Wellbeing Services:
The Student Wellbeing Services aim to provide a range of support, guidance, activities and advice to help students to be their best and get the most from their university experience. They can provide information and advice to help support students and direct you to more specialist support services.
Please note that the Wellbeing Service is not an emergency service, but other help is available. If you feel that you are in immediate danger or need immediate assistance, you should contact the emergency services on 999, call NHS 24 on 111.
If you have a wellbeing enquiry or would like more information about the support available to you, you can contact your local Wellbeing Service:
Edinburgh - studentwellbeing@hw.ac.uk
Scottish Borders – Sbc.wellbeing@hw.ac.uk
Orkney – K.L.Pirie@hw.ac.uk
Counselling Service
Being a student can be a very positive experience, but it can also bring a variety of challenges. We know that the pressure of studying and being in a new environment can impact on your relationships, finances and general wellbeing, and that this can sometimes feel overwhelming.
The Student Wellbeing Services can offer counselling, support and information to help you deal with the difficulties you may face during your time at Heriot-Watt.
Edinburgh students can make a counselling enquiry through myHWU or by emailing studentcounselling@hw.ac.uk. You can also make an appointment for a 45-minute counselling assessment via myHWU, or book a quick appointment by emailing studentcounselling@hw.ac.uk.
Students in Scottish Borders can contact sbc.wellbeing@hw.ac.uk to arrange an appointment. The counselling service is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Orkney students should contact K.L.Pirie@hw.ac.uk for any wellbeing enquiries.
Disability Service
The Disability Service is here to provide students with advice and guidance, as well as assess support needs. The Disability Service Support Pathway provides information on what students can expect from the service and what steps should be taken.
Students can contact disability@hw.ac.uk with any disability enquiries, or to book an appointment. For Edinburgh students, the Disability Service run a drop-in between 11:00-12:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please be aware that slots are limited, and students will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
Student Success Advisors
University can be daunting, and there can be times when you don’t know what to do or where to go for answers. Student Success Advisors are a team of recent Heriot-Watt graduates who can provide you with advice and direct you to support based on their own experiences.
Students can book an appointment through myHWU or by emailing studentsuccess@hw.ac.uk.
HW Student Union Advice Hub
The Heriot-Watt Advice Hub is part of the Student Union and is independent from the University. They can offer guidance and support with both academic and personal issues or point you in the right direction for appropriate support. Some of the issues they can help with include:
- Academic support
- Financial support
- Housing and accommodation
- Health and wellbeing
- Study skills
- Digital access
- Your campus
- International students guide
Advice Hub services are completely free and are available to all UK-based students, at all levels of study.
You can contact the Advice Hub at advice.hub@hw.ac.uk. They can arrange meetings in-person or via Microsoft Teams, depending on where you are.
The Advice Hub is open 10:00-16:00 Monday to Friday and is located within the Student Union.
Global Student Office (GSO)
The Global Student Office (GSO) offers advice and support to international students. Their services include:
- International Student Advice, Visas and Immigration Support
- Inter-campus transfers (Go Global) and Short-Term Study Projects overseas
- Exchange placements
- USA Student Funding Assistance
- Childcare Funds
- Hardship Funds
You can contact the GSO by raising an enquiry via AskMyHW. They are here to support you before and during your studies and can offer face-to-face and online appointments which can also be booked through myHWU. They also have a drop-in service between 14:00-16:00, Monday to Thursday.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy on our Edinburgh Campus exists to promote spiritual and social wellbeing. It is open to everyone - both students and staff - from all backgrounds and cultures. People of all faiths and no religious faith are welcome. exists to promote spiritual and social wellbeing. People of all faiths and no religious faith are welcome. This is somewhere for you to feel comfortable to chat about anything you may need, as well as meeting people and making friends.
Edinburgh’s full-time Chaplain, Rev. Jane Howitt, can be contacted by calling 0131 451 4508 or emailing j.howitt@hw.ac.uk. You can also contact the part-time Muslin Chaplain, Imam Hassan Rabbani, by calling 07544 840100 or emailing S.Rabbani@hw.ac.uk.
For Chaplaincy information for Scottish Borders and Orkney campuses, please see the Faith and Belief sites. https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/students/health-wellbeing/borders/faith-and-belief.htmhttps://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/students/health-wellbeing/orkney/faith-and-belief.htm
A-Z Student Handbook
https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/students/student-a-z-guide.htm
This A-Z guide aims to provide you with essential information about the support and resources available to you as a Heriot-Watt student. It is not meant to be exhaustive, so if it does not answer your question, you should seek the assistance of your personal tutor in the first instance.
Please remember that there are a range of support services in the University that are here to help you and you don’t need to struggle through on your own.