Structure of degrees in Scotland

Undergraduate degrees at Heriot-Watt University (and across Scotland) are taught over four years. The Undergraduate Certificate equates to the first year of your degree, and on successful completion you proceed directly to the second year of your degree programme.

In the UK, a Masters degree lasts 12 months (compared to two years in most other countries), with the first formal assessments four months into your programme. The Pre-Masters programme is the perfect preparation for success at postgaduate level.

The Semester System

From September 2008, Heriot-Watt has a new academic year structure, based on two semesters (rather than the traditional three terms). These changes to the academic year have been introduced to improve your learning experience at Heriot-Watt - the great advantage of this modular system is that it gives you flexibility in your subject choice.

The year runs for 30 weeks from mid-September to the end of May with a winter semesters. Each semester is 15 weeks and includes 12 weeks of classes, with time at the end for revision and assessment. You will typically study four modules in each semester.

As a student on the Undergraduate Certificate or Pre-Masters you will follow the International Study Centre's own timetable during your first year (See Term Dates FAQs). Upon successful completion of an ISC academic programme you will progress:

• from the Undergraduate Certificate to the second year – Semester 3 – of your chosen undergraduate degree programme and continue for the next three years to complete the Honours degree (making a total of eight semesters of full-time study by the time you graduate).

• from the Pre-Masters to your one-year Masters degree

Teaching and learning

Undergraduate degrees

Most undergraduates have some combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials (plus laboratory or practical classes and fieldwork in the sciences) as well as time for private study (e.g. reading, completing exercises, writing reports). Semesters usually culminate in formal examinations.

Postgraduate degrees

Taught Masters Degrees are advanced academic programmes that last for 12 months, and are divided into two parts, teaching and learning and original research. Masters students undertake a dissertation during May to August. As a postgraduate taught student at Heriot-Watt you will be assessed by a variety of forms. Feedback mechanisms enable you to learn from assessment and improve your performance.