Latest news
Read the latest news and stories from the International Study Centre and Heriot-Watt University.
January 2012: ISC Student Wins Gold Medal in UK Maths Competition
Heriot-Watt ISC are extremely proud to learn that Gongu WEI, a Chinese student studying the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Engineering, has won the Gold Medal in the UK Senior Mathematical Challenge. The nationwide competition is organised by the UK Mathematics Trust.
Gongyu was presented with his Gold Award Certificate by his Mathematics teachers Patricia Fisher and Dr Himanshu Suyal (pictured here with Gongyu). Both teachers were thrilled to see one of their star students gain such a prestigious prize.
Friday 13th January 2012
November 2011: Heriot-Watt ISC graduation
The Heriot-Watt ISC Class of 2010/11 attended their very own graduation ceremony on Wednesday 2nd November at the main campus of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
It was a chance for students to reflect on their achievements now they’ve started their degrees, and catch up with their ISC classmates and teachers at a buffet after the ceremony.
Head of Centre Dr Efrem Jones [pictured right with student Xinran Guo] said about the evening “It was a great pleasure to present the certificates to our former students. It is always a privilege to work with young people in preparing them for university study and life in the UK. It was marvellous to see them now as confident Undergraduate and Master’s students ready and able to take their next steps in learning”.
Deputy Principal Sandy Tippett also attended the event and was impressed at the positive feedback given by the students who praised the ‘helpful and caring teachers’ and small class sizes.
Some of our ISC graduates have already recommended Heriot-Watt ISC to their friends and family back home, so we’re looking forward to welcoming them in the coming year.
Thursday 16th November 2011
October 2011: Heriot-Watt ISC Online Information Webinar - Tuesday 22nd November at 12 00.
Join our information webinar to find out what life is really like at Heriot-Watt ISC and discover why the ISC is right for you, you can also ask any questions you have about studying at the ISC!
We are holding an online information webinar for students, and their parents, looking to join us in January or September, the 45 minute webinar will be held on Tuesday 22nd November at 12 00 midday GMT.
You will get the opportunity to hear from the centre staff and to ask any questions you may have about studying at the ISC.
You will hear from:
- Host: Alison Barnett
Alison will introduce the University, the International Study Centre and our programmes. - Head of Centre: Efrem Jones
Efrem will talk about what will happen when you arrive and your first few weeks at Heriot-Watt - A Student Enrolment Adviser
A Student Enrolment Adviser will be on hand to guide you through the application and confirmation process and answer any questions you have about your application.
Register today to secure your place at the online information session.
We look forward to welcoming you!
September 2011: We are Scottish University of the year!
Heriot Watt University has been named Scottish University of the Year by the 2011/12 Sunday Times University Guide.
The university was commended for innovation, teaching excellence, research and facilities as well as excellent results in the National Student Survey (NSS) and good graduate employment results.
“Students and employers alike have good reason to be thankful for Heriot-Watt, the hugely deserving winner of our Scottish University of the Year award." Said Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times University Guide, "Excellent teaching, intelligent students and first-rate facilities are a potent mix. The University has a fine record for innovation and relevant research and its graduates are highly regarded throughout the world. Their appreciation of the institution where they study speaks volumes and is one we thoroughly endorse."
This new accolade comes following excellent results in last weeks National Student Survey. Heriot Watt was ranked number one in the UK for Chemical Engineering, which can be accessed via the Undergraduate Certificate in Engineering.
May 2011: Success for Heriot Watt in Guardian University Guide
Heriot Watt University has risen to 27th place in the Guardian University Guide league table.
The 2012 Guardian rankings released this week, asssessed 119 Universities on factors such as teaching quality as rated in the National Student Survey (NSS), spending per student, staff-student ratio and career prospects. Heriot Watt's overall position in the ranking has risen from 32nd last year.
The Guide, which also ranks universities by subject, placed Heriot Watt:
- 2nd in the UK for Chemistry
- 4th for Economics
- 5th for Psychology
- 11th for Chemical Engineering
- 13th for Mechanical Engineering
- 16th in the UK for Business and Management related programmes
International Study Centre students can access the second year of these programmes on successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate. Postgraduate students can study a Masters in the School of Manangement on completion of the Pre-Masters programme.
November 2010: The Class of 2010 Graduate
This month Undergraduate Certificate and Pre-Masters students who completed their studies this year came back together to celebrate their graduation.
The students celebrating on 1st November completed their studies at the International Study Centre and are now studying a range of degreees at HeriotWatt University. New Head of Centre, Efrem Jones addressed the students and then awarded them thier graduation certificates. After the formal cerermony, students had time to catch up with old friends and enjoy the food and drink laid on by the ISC staff.
Watch videos from the Class of 2010 on their graduation day
October 2010: One of the top universities in Scotland
Heriot-Watt University was named runner up for the prestigious Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year award.
Heriot-Watt was comended for its recent and current developments to the University including the new £35m purpose-built campus, the expaniding programme offerings in Dubai and the work with Borders college in Gashiels.
The Sunday Times also highlights the positive results obtained by the University in the National Student Survey, improved student retention and the standard of facilities across all Edinburgh campuses.
Professor Steve Chapman, Principal and Vice-Chancellor commented in the Sunday Times's article, “We made a huge effort this year and it paid off.”
September 2010: ISC Student Scholarship
Each year Heriot-Watt University offer a number of merit-based scholarships to exceptional students. This year one of our Pre-Masters students, Sumalee Jaiwangyen originally from Thailand received a scholarship to continue her studies at Heriot-Watt University on the International Accounting and Finance MSc. Here Sumalee talks about how she felt when she found out she had been awarded the scholarship and her experiences at Heriot-Watt University.
On being told I was successful at receiving a scholarship award for my Post-grad MSc in Accounting and Finance, it gave me a great feeling of appreciation and positivity for the coming academic year. I realised there was much competition for the scholarships, so was very humbled and grateful for being selected. I had already qualified in Thailand in MBA Accounting and had work experience in this field, but I wanted to develop myself further by achieving a Masters in Accounting and Finance in English language to give me more scope for future employment. I realised my technical abilities in a foreign language academic study would be limited, therefore, I applied to Heriot-Watt International Study Centre for the Pre-Masters Course to improve my English research, presenting and academic writing skills.
I was really impressed with the teaching and support staff and felt very much at home studying there. The facilities are very good and the staff were always happy to help out whenever I had any issue. One specific topic that I found challenging, one of the tutors scheduled additional inputs for me and was therefore able to confidently pass the examination it related to.
Now that I am studying at the main building at Heriot-Watt University, it has a very diverse student base and has helped me a lot. Being a student in a foreign country can be challenging in many ways, so it is good to have other international students to share advice and opinions with. The atmosphere amongst all students here is a very friendly one. There is a great social scene here, both organised by the departments and inter-student planning. I have found these events are great for meeting and getting to know teaching staff and fellow students out-with the classroom environment.
After graduating from MSc Accounting and Finance, I plan to apply for a Post Study Work Immigration Visa and obtain employment and experience in the accounting or finance sector within the United Kingdom. I would then consider an application to the Chartered Accountancy Institute to further my qualifications. Thereafter I would consider my options to either continuing my work in the UK, or take all this academic and practical experience back to a my home country, putting me in a strong position for starting my own business or being employed with a sought after role. I would highly recommend Heriot-Watt University, both the Pre-Masters and Postgraduate MSc course for any international student. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far here and am looking forward to the year ahead in my Masters course."
August 2010: Festival Fever!
Every August the Scottish capital is taken over by artists and performers from around the globe for the Edinburgh festival season.
What is often referred to as the ‘Edinburgh Festival’ actually consists of several events taking place around the city. The Edinburgh Arts Festival turns the city in to a living art gallery, The Edinburgh International Festival is a celebration of arts, music and culture from around the world and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo a spectacular military show set against the backdrop of Edinburgh castle.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe was established in the 1940s as an alternative to the International Festival and is now the world’s largest arts festival. The Fringe includes performances of theatre, comedy, dance and music throughout the month of August. See the video above for a taster of what can you can expect to see around the city this month as part of the Festival Fringe.
There is no better place in the world to be a student! Find out more about living and studying in Edinburgh.
See www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk to find out about all the events taking place around the city this month.
August 2010: Heriot-Watt wins women in science award
Heriot-Watt University has been commended by the Athena SWAN Charter for its commitment to the advancement of the careers of women in science, engineering and technology.
The Athena SWAN Charter rewards good practice in universities supporting the career progression of women in science, engineering and technology departments.
Five Schools at Heriot-Watt are covered by the award: Built Environment; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical and Computer Sciences; and the Institute of Petroleum Engineering.
The main three beliefs of the charter are:
- The advancement of science, engineering and technology (SET) is fundamental to quality of life across the globe
- It is vitally important that women are adequately represented in what has traditionally been, and is still, a male-dominated area
- Science cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population, and until women and men can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords
Heriot-Watt is committed to equality and diversity accross all its schools and departments. International students can fast track to the second year of one of the University's forward thinking science and engineering departments by studying the Undergraduate certificate in Engineering and Computing or Life Sciences.
