HW Online EGIS Student Handook

Heriot-Watt Online (HW Online)
Student Handbook 2020/21

School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
Version 1: 25 August 2020
PAGE NO.
PART A - SCHOOL INFORMATION
A1 SUMMARY OF INFORMATION………………………………………………………………….. 3-6

A1.1 Significant dates in the academic year........................................................................ 3
A1.2 Significant dates for HW Online students...................................................…. 4
A1.3 Links to further information/services............................................................................ 4
A1.4 Key staff and contact details.................................................................................... 5-6
A2 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………. 7

A2.1 Welcome from the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University................ 7
A2.2 COVID-19 and Responsive Blended Learning…………………………………………… 7
A2.3 Welcome from the Head of School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society 8
A3 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY AND

THE SCHOOL……………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
A3.1 Heriot-Watt University................................................................................................... 9
A3.2 School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Energy.............................................. 9
A3.3 General aims................................................................................................................. 9
A4 HOW HW ONLINE COURSE STUDY WORKS................................................................... 10 - 11
A5 ENROLMENT……………………………………………………………………………………….. 12 - 18
A5.1 Period of study............................................................................................................. 12
A5.2 How to enrol.......................................................................................................... …. 13
A5.2.1 Online enrolment……………………………………………………………………. 13
A5.2.2 Course Registration…………………………………………………...................... 14
A5.2.3 Fees for 2020/21............................................................................................... 15
A5.2.4 Methods of payment for fees………………………………………….................. 16
A5.2.5 Student ID card………………........................................................................... 17
A5.3 How to enrol for further courses.............................................................................. ..... 17
A5.4 Access to course material via VISION........................................................................... 17
A5.5 Amendments to enrolment............................................................................................. 17
A5.5.1 Programme transfer………………..................................................................... 17
A5.5.2 Temporary suspension of studies...................................................................... 17
A5.5.3 Extension to period of study…. ......................................................................... 17
A5.5.4 Withdrawal from a programme........................................................................... 17
A5.6 Change of address.......................................................................................................... 18
A6 COURSE STUDY…………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
A6.1 Programme structures.................................................................................................. 19
A6.2 Course descriptors........................................................................................................ 19
A6.3 Communication with Course or Programme Leaders (Personal Tutor)......................... 19
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A7 ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESSION…………………………………………………………… 20 - 25
A7.1 Assessment.................................................................................................................. 20
A7.2 Access to coursework questions.................................................................................. 20
A7.3 Submission of coursework........................................................................................... 20
A7.3.1 Return of coursework feedback to students.................................................... 20
A7.4 Examinations and examination diets........................................................................... 21
A7.5 Access to past exam papers................................................................................... … 21
A7.6 Exam registration....................................................................................................... 21
A7.6.1 Exam performance feedback……………………………………………………… 21
A7.7 Students with special requirements.............................................................................. 21
A7.8 Progression (incl. entry courses) and Award criteria.............................................. 22 - 23
A7.9 Exam boards and results............................................................................................. 24
A7.10 Re-assessment............................................................................................................ 24
A7.11 Mitigating Circumstances............................................................................................. 24 - 25
A8 RESEARCH DISSERTATION / RESEARCH PROJECTS / MASTERS DISSERTATION / FIELD

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT / INDIVIDUAL PROJECT………..……………..……………. 26 - 30
A8.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
A8.2 Research Dissertation............................................................................................. ... 27
A8.4 Masters Dissertation.................................................................................................... 28
A8.5 Field Development Project, Individual Project & Team Exploration Project…….……. 29 - 30
A9 GRADUATION……………………………………………………………………………………… 31
A10 FURTHER SCHOOL INFORMATION…………………………………………………………….. 31 - 32

A10.1 EGIS Resource Centre............................................................................................... 31
A10.2 University Library.......................................................................................................... 31
A10.3 Computing facilities....................................................................................................... 31
A10.4 Course and programme feedback questionnaires........................................................ 31
A10.5 Health and Safety Policy Statement.............................................................................. 32
A11 PROGRAMME STRUCTURES, COURSE AVAILABILITY AND ASSESSMENT
DETAILS……………….....................................................................................…… 33 - 69
A11.1 Programme structures.................................................................................................. 33 - 62
A11.2 Course availability and assessment............................................................................. 63 - 69
PART B – UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
B1. Programme and Course Content
B2. Our Values
B3. Student Partnership Agreement
B4. University Regulations
B5. Your Student Portal (myHWU)  PLEASE READ!!

B6. Quick Finder Guide to Heriot-Watt University
APPENDIX A - STUDENT GUIDE TO PLAGIARISM  PLEASE READ!!
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PART A – SCHOOL INFORMATION
It is important to read through Part A of the handbook which provides specific information on
the requirements of your particular programme of study.
You should contact your Course Leader or Programme Leader in the first instance for any
academic queries.
A1 SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION
A1.1 SIGNIFICANT DATES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR
ON CAMPUS TERM SESSION DATES 2020/21

SEMESTER 1
BLOCK 1 TEACHING (12 WEEKS) 14 SEPTEMBER – 4 DECEMBER 2020
BLOCK 1 EXAM DIET (2 WEEKS) 7 DECEMBER – 18 DECEMBER 2020
BREAK 1 (3 WEEKS) 21 DECEMBER 2020 – 9 JANUARY 2021
SEMESTER 2
BLOCK 2 TEACHING (12 WEEKS) 11 JANUARY – 2 APRIL 2021*

(* includes public holiday:
Good Friday 2 April)
BREAK 2 (3 WEEKS) 5 APRIL – 23 APRIL 2021**
(** includes public holiday:
Easter Monday 5 April)
BLOCK 2 EXAM DIET (4 WEEKS) PG & UG FINAL YEAR:
26 APRIL – 7 MAY 2021
UG YEARS 1 TO 3:
10 MAY – 21 MAY 2021
GRADUATION (Edinburgh Campus) 22 – 25 June 2021 (dates to be confirmed)
SEMESTER 3/RE-ASSESSMENT 2 AUGUST – 13 AUGUST 2021

EXAM DIET
GRADUATION 16 – 17 November 2021 (dates to be

confirmed)
Please see the next page for

SIGNIFICANT DATES FOR HERIOT-WATT ONLINE STUDENTS 
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A1.2 SIGNIFICANT DATES FOR HERIOT-WATT ONLINE STUDENTS
HW Online - Programme entry dates

Semester 1: 14 September 2020
Semester 2: 11 January 2021 (programme applications will be accepted until 1 October 2020)
Semester 3: 10 May 2021 (selected programmes only)
HW Online - Course Application deadlines for new and continuing students

Semester 1: Course - 14 September 2020 (Deadline for course cancellations: 2 October 2020)
Semester 2: Courses - 11 January 2021 (Deadline for course cancellations: 29 January 2021)
Semester 3: Courses - 10 May 2021 (Deadline for course cancellations: 28 May 2021)
HW Online – Exam deadlines:

Exam registration is completed online via Student Self Service
Exam online registration Exam location change Exam cancellation deadline
deadline deadline
Semester 1 To be confirmed To be confirmed To be confirmed
Examination Diets
Semester 1: 7 to 18 December 2020
Semester 2: 26 April to 7 May 2021
Semester 3/Re-assessment: 2 to 13 August 2021
FINAL TIMETABLES (WHEN PUBLISHED) WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE ACADEMIC REGISTRY
WEBSITE AT: https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/timetables.htm
Coursework Submission Dates

(unless otherwise stated on VISION by individual Course Leaders)
Semester 1: Monday 7 December 2020 (23:59 UK time)
Semester 2: Tuesday 6 April 2021 (23:59 UK time) (Monday 5 April – Easter Monday)
Semester 3/Re-assessment: Monday 2 August 2021 (23:59 UK time)
Dissertation/Project Submission Dates (full information can be found in Section A8)

Monday 7 December 2020 (23:59 UK time)
Tuesday 6 April 2021 (23:59 UK time) (Monday 5 April – Easter Monday)
Monday 16 August 2021 (23:59 UK time)
Monday 6 December 2021 (23:59 UK time)
A1.3 LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION/SERVICES

Heriot-Watt homepage: www.hw.ac.uk
EGIS website: www.hw.ac.uk/egis
HW Online:
https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/distance-
learning/information-for-current-students.htm
Student Portal (myHWU): https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/index.htm
Student Self Service: https://myhwu.hw.ac.uk/HWSAS8/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin
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A1.4 KEY CONTACTS
The Principal and Vice-Chancellor is the head of the University and is supported by
academic and administrative staff.
Phone
Programme title (MSc/PG
Programme Leader +44(0)1856 Email address
Dip in…)
followed by...
INSTITUTE OF LIFE AND EARTH SCIENCES
International Marine Science Dr Joanne Porter 852251 [email protected]
Marine Renewable Energy Dr David Woolf 852259 [email protected]

Renewable Energy
Development
Programme title (MSc/PG Programme Leader Phone Email address

Dip in…) +44(0)131 451
* programmes in italics are closed to followed by...
recruitment and only available to
continuing students.
INSTITUTE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIRONMENT:
Civil Engineering and Dr Benny Suryanto 3817 [email protected]
Construction Management
Civil Engineering Dr Sandhya Patidar 4456 [email protected]
Safety, Risk and Reliability Professor Guy Walker 4665 [email protected]
Engineering
Safety and Risk Management
Advanced Structural Dr George Vasdravellis 3465 [email protected]
Engineering
*Structural & Foundation
Engineering
* Water and Environmental Professor Bhaskar Sen 8171 [email protected]
Management Gupta
* Water Technology and
Desalination
INSTITUTE OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN:
Building Services Engineering Dr David Campbell 4618 [email protected]
* Architectural Engineering
* Sustainable Building Design Dr Fan Wang 4636 [email protected]
* Carbon and Energy Dr David Campbell 4618 [email protected]

Management
* Sustainable Community
Design
* Architectural Project Dr Graeme Bowles 4626 [email protected]
Management
Commercial Management and Dr Turker Bayrak 3154 [email protected]
Quantity Surveying
Construction Project
Management
* Building Conservation Dr Alan Forster 4661 [email protected]
(Technology & Management)
Sustainable Urban Dr Chris McWilliams 4625 [email protected]
Management
Urban and Regional Planning
THE URBAN INSTITUTE (see next page):
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A1.4 KEY CONTACTS (continued)
Programme title (MSc/PG Programme Leader Phone Email address

Dip in…) +44(0)131 451
* programmes in italics are closed to followed by...
recruitment and only available to
continuing students.
THE URBAN INSTITUTE:
Real Estate Investment & Professor Neil Dunse 3146 [email protected]
Finance
Real Estate Management &
Development
Real Estate and Planning
INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING
Programme Leader, MSc/PG Dr Rink van Dijke 3694 [email protected]
Dip Petroleum Engineering
Heriot-Watt Online
Applied Petroleum Geoscience Dr Helen Lever 4057 [email protected]
Mature Field Management Dr Mark Bentley 4683 [email protected]
NON-INSTITUTE/CENTRE SPECIFIC:
Built Environment Allocated individually
Details of Course Co-ordinators can be found on individual course descriptors at using the links on each
detailed programme guide at https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/online-
learning/independent.htm
and contact details are included in individual course material on VISION or via People Finder
(http://www.hw.ac.uk/people-finder/).
Phone
HW ONLINE STUDENT
Name +44(0)131 451 Email address
SUPPORT TEAM
followed by...
Online Students Manager Ms Lesley Allan 3866
[email protected]
Administrators (HW Online) Mrs Carol Thomson 4540
Dr Sani Akoh
4424
Administrative Assistants Miss Alyx Donald or [email protected]
(HW Online)
Mrs Jackie Pringle 4623
(Senior Assistant)
STUDENT SERVICE CENTRE [email protected]
EGIS RESOURCE CENTRE Ms Isabel Seymour 4651 [email protected]
Please note that the HW Online Student Support Team are currently working remotely and
unable to take calls.
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A2 Welcome and Introduction
A2.1 Welcome from the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University
I am delighted that you have chosen our unique and innovative University and have
entrusted us with your education for the next few years. Heriot-Watt has been at the
forefront of pioneering education and future thinking since 1821, and each year, whether
it be in league tables or the testimonies of our brilliant students and our supportive staff,
we continue to lead the way in world class education.
We are very aware that you are joining us in uncertain times but let me reassure you that
Heriot-Watt University continues to rise to these challenges. Our Learning and Teaching
Academy has been working tirelessly to create and implement a Responsive Blended
Learning (RBL) model, which enhances teaching practices both on campus and at home,
ensuring that students will still receive inspiring learning experiences and practical
support. Now more than ever, we are thankful for our global OneWatt community of
students, colleagues and alumni, who continue to actively take part in our supportive
network, which spans five campuses in three countries.
Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to thrive both personally and
academically, and I would encourage you to take advantage of all that our campuses,
student societies and global community has to offer you. As a University committed to
preparing you for your future, we’re delighted to offer opportunities for students to gain a
global perspective, whether at a single campus or abroad. As travel restrictions are
eased, our Go Global programme will continue to offer inter-campus transfers and
exchanges across our campuses in Dubai, Scotland and Malaysia, allowing students to
study, socialise or experience new cultures and places. We encourage students to
connect with likeminded individuals across the globe and grasp every opportunity with
both hands.
Our graduates are sought-after by global professions and industries all over the world.
The very nature of a Heriot-Watt education is one that allows you to benefit from our
research-informed approach, underpinned by our rich heritage and values. We’re
dedicated to providing you with the confidence and leadership skills to be a global
citizen, and the expertise to one day become a leader in your chosen field or career.
Together we will help shape tomorrow to deliver benefits for all of society.
We look forward to supporting you as you grow and become a successful graduate of
Heriot-Watt University. On behalf of our global OneWatt community, I’d like to take this
opportunity to say: welcome to the family.
Professor Richard A. Williams OBE

Principal and Vice-Chancellor
A2.2 COVID-19 and Responsive Blended Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic means that we have adapted the way we deliver learning
and teaching across our campuses to enable us to continue to offer an inspiring
learning experience, whatever pandemic-related restrictions may be in place.
Our approach is called Responsive Blended Learning (RBL).

 Responsive to the changing environments our students are living and learning
in, to the wellbeing concerns of students and staff, and to the diversity of
students’ learning needs at this challenging time.
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 Blended to combine the very best use of online and on-campus teaching, learning
and student support. The exact balance of this blend of online and on-campus
learning will flex depending on local conditions and individual student context.
Our Responsive Blended Learning approach means that you will be able to learn,
interact and collaborate with your classmates, whether you are on campus or studying at
a distance. It will enable you to access materials, collaborate and learn alongside your
class cohort, and build and strengthen friendships, wherever you begin your studies
from. This means our response will flex with the local conditions, and with your particular
circumstances. It will also allow us to slowly and safely phase the return of students and
staff on to our campuses, when conditions allow.
As campuses reopen, there will be increasing opportunities for on-campus teaching

activities. Labs, studios and maker-spaces will, when safe to do so, be opened to allow
students to engage in practical activities. Tutorials and other class teaching will also
resume on campus, when space and safety guidance allows this. Whenever you can
return, we will be here to welcome you and support you to adjust to campus life.
You can discuss any issues around your learning or your wellbeing with your personal
tutor (Programme Leader) and with the University’s support services (see section B6).
A2.3 Welcome from Head of School (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society)
I would like to take this opportunity to greet you as a new or returning student, and
extend a special welcome to those of you who are studying with us for the first time. I
hope that your time at Heriot-Watt is both enjoyable and successful. You have chosen to
study at an establishment with a reputation for the quality of its research and educational
programmes. Our aim is to ensure that our commitment to excellence in research
influences our teaching to create a high-quality, research-led learning experience.
Furthermore, our programmes are accredited by the appropriate professional
institutions. This means that as one of our students you can obtain the maximum
educational and long-term career benefits from your period of study with us.
University life can be exciting and demanding. Being at university means that the
commitment to and responsibility for study is very much your own. Your success will
likely be directly linked to the amount of effort you put in. But please remember we are
here to help.
This year, more than most years, we will all need to be both agile and resilient in order to
deal with the undoubted challenges that the Covid pandemic is presenting. We ask for
your support and understanding as we manage our way through this together. Our staff
are working hard to find new and innovative solutions to a host of new situations we are
presented with. Fortunately in EGIS, we have over 25 years of online learning
experience to bring to help create a supported learning experience for you. We will be
aiming for you to progress through your studies at the ‘normal’ rate so that you career
need not be unduly disrupted or delayed.
As you move through your time at University it is likely you will experience difficulties or
setbacks: most of us do in our careers. What really matters is how we learn and respond
to these obstacles. We are here to support you if you do experience a setback and our
aim would be to help you learn from it and come back stronger. Let’s work together on
building personal resilience.
We have produced this handbook to answer many of the questions that students raise
during their studies, including administrative procedures relating to the running of their
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degree programmes and the support available to them. I hope you find it useful and
informative. If you are ever unsure about any aspect of your studies, or if you are having
problems that you feel may be affecting your progress, please feel free to contact me,
your personal tutor (Programme Leader) or any other member of staff.
Professor T. Malcolm Chrisp

Head of the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society
A3 General Information about Heriot-Watt University and the School
A3.1 Heriot-Watt University has four campuses, a parent campus in Edinburgh, the capital of
Scotland in the UK, two campuses in the north and south of Scotland (Orkney and
Galashiels) a Campus in Dubai, a Campus in Malaysia, as well as a number of overseas
centres running University programmes. Heriot-Watt University’s mission is to provide
students with the opportunity to study programmes which will enable them to contribute
immediately to the economy and wellbeing of the region in which they choose to work.
This ethos of “doing things that matter” stretches right back to the origins of Heriot-Watt
in 1821, when programmes were run to suit the needs of developing industries in
Scotland.
The University web address is www.hw.ac.uk
A3.2 The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society is a multi-disciplinary centre for
research and teaching in a wide variety of subjects that all influence our built environment.
We have an experienced and well regarded body of academic staff that specialise in a
variety of areas of research expertise including drainage, urban design and regeneration,
flood management, building conservation and sustainable building techniques, petroleum
engineering and renewable energy.
The School web address is www.hw.ac.uk/egis
A3.3 General aims

All of the School's postgraduate programmes have the following aims:
To provide an academically sound and vocationally relevant postgraduate education for

those seeking a professional career in the built environment or property management within
the national or international context.
To enable students to attain the best intellectual development and gain the maximum
degree performance compatible with their abilities.
To ensure that our programmes are professionally relevant and provide the educational
base to meet the current and future needs of industry, and continue to receive full
exemption from the written examinations of the relevant professional institutions.
To provide the opportunity for intellectual, personal and inter-personal skills development.
In overall terms to enable students to maximise their academic and professional potential
by developing transferable as well as core skills.
To provide the opportunity for students to engage in higher level learning, acquire deep,
specialist knowledge, and apply critical thinking and analysis to complex, advanced
problems.
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A4 How Heriot-Watt Online course study works:
All formal email communication from the University will be sent to students’
Heriot-Watt email addresses. STUDENTS MUST CHECK THEIR HERIOT-WATT
EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY (AT LEAST ONCE EVERY WEEK).
1. Refer to the programme structure in this handbook and select the course or courses you
wish to study (Semester 1 OR Semester 2 OR (for selected courses) Semester 3).
From January 2019, new Heriot-Watt Online students studying the following programmes
must first successfully complete 2 entry courses. See the individual programme
structure for further details including availability and 2 entry course progression criteria
(Section A11.1):
 MSc International Marine Science  MSc Safety and Risk Management
 MSc Petroleum Engineering  MSc Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering
From September 2019, this extended to the following programmes:
 MSc Commercial Management &  MSc Construction Project Management
Quantity Surveying
2. Check assessment method for the course or courses selected (Section A11.2).
3. Complete online enrolment for the current academic year.
4. Complete online course registration and payment. The payment includes the course and
exam fee.
5. Access course material on VISION and begin studying.
6. Complete exam registration using the online system by the deadline.
7. Complete course assessment:

Coursework: a number of courses have summative or formative assessment by
coursework. Check submission date(s) and ensure coursework is
submitted electronically to Turnitin on VISION on or before the submission
deadline.
Students have a maximum of TWO opportunities (one first attempt and one resit
opportunity) for each assessment within a six-assessment diet period from
registering for a maximum of three courses.
Exam: once you have decided you are ready to take the exam, register online for the
next exam diet by the relevant deadline (see Key Dates), also selecting your exam
location from the list provided. Check the final timetable on the Academic Registry
website. Confirmation about the exam date/time/venue will be emailed to Heriot-Watt
email accounts.
8. Following the relevant Exam Board, results will be available to view online. This will
include grades and the Exam Board decision. Progression information can be found in
Section A7.8. Where re-assessment is required, this should be completed when the
assessment is next available.
9. Depending on progression decision, continue with further courses or dissertation/project.
Further important sections to read / Dissertations/Projects - next page/

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Information about the Research Dissertation/Research Projects/Masters
Dissertation/Field Development Project/Individual Project can be found in Section A8.
It is important that you read the following sections in Part A of this handbook:
 A5.2.2 Course registration
 A7.1 Assessment
 A7.3 Submission of coursework
 A7.8 Progression
 A7.9 Exam boards and results
 A7.10 Re-assessment
 A7.11 Mitigating circumstances
And in Part B of this handbook: APPENDIX A - STUDENT GUIDE TO PLAGIARISM
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A5 Enrolment
A5.1 Maximum period of study for HW Online
Type of Award being studied Maximum Period
Master of Science (via HW Online) 8 years
Postgraduate Diploma (via HW Online) 6 years
Postgraduate Certificate (via HW Online) 3 years
Further information on this issue can be found at https://www.hw.ac.uk/documents/regulations.pdf for:
Regulation 48A – Higher Degree of Master (Taught – Heriot-Watt Online)
Guidance from teaching staff is that the optimal performance is achieved by studying a maximum of
two courses in any semester. Please refer to the individual Programme Structure for the sequence
course study.
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A5.2 How to enrol
New students are required to complete online enrolment when they begin studying.
Continuing students are required to complete online enrolment at the beginning of each
following academic year around the beginning of September. This is mainly to confirm
contact details, programme of study and the process will activate access to VISION
(virtual leaning environment).
Registration for individual courses is usually completed online. Please see section
A5.2.2 for further information.
A5.2.1 Online enrolment

To enrol online you will need your Person ID or Registration number. New students will
find their person ID (Hxxxxxxxx or 9 digits) on any recent correspondence from the
University. Continuing students will find their registration number (Hxxxxxxxx or
Dxxxxxxxx or 9 digits) on their student card.
1. Go to http://www.hw.ac.uk/onlineenrolment
2. Enter your person ID/registration number in the ‘User ID’ field.
3. Enter your date of birth in the required format in the ‘PIN’ field.
4. Click on ‘Login’.
5. The first time you login you will need to create a new pin (password) & security question.
6. On the Login Verification Change PIN page, create a new pin.
7. On the Security Question and Answer page, create a security question.
8. On the Main Menu page click on the ‘Online Enrolment’ link.
9. Please read the information and follow the instructions on each page.
10. If you require any explanations or assistance click on ‘Help’ in the top right corner of each
page.
11. If you require further assistance there will be contact details on the pages.
12. Once you have completed all the required fields on each page and reached the
Enrolment Confirmation page, save/print the enrolment confirmation letter. You can then
log out by clicking on ‘Exit’ in the top right corner.
13. You must then close your browser window.
14. An automated message will be sent to your Heriot-Watt email confirming the enrolment
process has been completed.
Please note: If you log out before completing the process the information you have entered
WILL be saved.
New students:
After you have carried out the above steps and reached the Enrolment Confirmation page
you have successfully completed enrolment for 2020/21. The confirmation letter will contain
you username, email address and password for accessing VISION (for more information
about using VISION, please see Section A5.4). You must use your Heriot-Watt email or
Vision within 21 days of completing online enrolment or your temporary password will
expire.
Continuing students:
After you have carried out the above steps and reached the Enrolment Confirmation page
you have successfully completed enrolment for 2020/21.
For more information please go to: https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/enrolment/distance.htm
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A5.2.2 Course Registration
Once a student has been made an unconditional offer and completed online enrolment,
they should consult the relevant programme structure in Section A11, of this handbook.
Course registration and payment is completed online (credit/debit card/sponsor). The

payment includes the course and assessment fee. THIS IS THE QUICKEST WAY TO
REGISTER FOR EACH COURSE AND IS THE MOST SECURE METHOD OF
PAYMENT
Payment by sponsor: please submit a Course Registration form and copy of a current
sponsor letter to the HW Online Student Support Team ([email protected]).
For other methods of payment, please see Section A5.2.5.
Please note that access to course material cannot be made available unless course
registration has been completed.
Students can only apply for courses for the current academic year. Course
availability can be found in Section A11, of this handbook
Students have a maximum of TWO opportunities (one first attempt and one resit
registering, for a maximum of three courses.
IMPORTANT: Students have until the end of week three of each semester to notify
the HW Online Student Support Team if they wish to cancel a course they are
enrolled for at the beginning of that semester.
Students do not automatically have the opportunity to cancel a course beyond the
end of week three.
Where re-assessment is required, this must be completed at the next opportunity.

This is usually in the July/August of the same academic year as the first attempt.
Exceptions to this may be courses which are provided by other Schools within the
University or by a partner institution.
Coursework: a number of courses have summative or formative assessment by

coursework. Check submission date(s) and ensure coursework is
submitted electronically to Turnitin on VISION on or before the submission
deadline.
Exam: once you have decided you are ready to take the exam, register online for the
next exam diet by the relevant deadline (see Key Dates), also selecting
your exam location from the list provided.
Check the final timetable on the Academic Registry website. Confirmation
about the exam date/time/venue will be emailed to Heriot-Watt email
accounts.
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A5.2.3 Tuition (course) fees for 2020/21 (assessment fee of £125 is included in each course fee)
Heriot-Watt Online tuition & assessment fees for 2020/21 are listed below. With the exception of MSc/PG Dip Architectural Project Management, the MSc and
PG Diploma programmes include a total of 8 courses.
Programme title Fees per course/dissertation/project for 2020/21
Research Project 1 /
Programmes in italics are closed to recruitment and only available to continuing students. Taught courses Research Project 2 / Masters / Research
(includes course and exam fee) Field Development Project / dissertation
Individual Project
MSc/PG Diploma International Marine Science £1110 per course Not applicable £1510
A11VY fieldtrip: £TBC; A11CR fieldtrip: £TBC
MSc/PG Diploma Marine Renewable Energy £1110 per course Not applicable £1510
£TBC per fieldtrip course
MSc/PG Diploma Renewable Energy Development £1110 per course Not applicable £1510
£TBC per fieldtrip course
MSc/PG Diploma Applied Petroleum Geoscience £1220 per course £1090 per Project Not applicable
(see Programme Structure in Section A11.1 for fieldwork details)
MSc/PG Diploma Mature Field Management £1220 per course £1090 per Project Not applicable
MSc/PG Diploma Petroleum Engineering £1220 per course £1090 per Project Not applicable
MSc/PG Diploma Advanced Structural Engineering £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Architectural Engineering £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Building Conservation (Technology and Management) £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Building Services Engineering £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Built Environment £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Carbon and Energy Management £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Civil Engineering £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Civil Engineering and Construction Management £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Construction Project Management £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Real Estate and Planning £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Real Estate Investment and Finance £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Real Estate Management & Development £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Safety and Risk Management £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Safety, Risk & Reliability Engineering £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Structural and Foundation Engineering £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Sustainable Building Design £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Sustainable Community Design £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Sustainable Urban Management £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Urban and Regional Planning £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Water and Environmental Management £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
MSc/PG Diploma Water Technology and Desalination Standard courses: £1400 per course Not applicable £1800
(please check structure (Section A11) for standard/premium courses) Premium courses: £2700 per course
MSc/Diploma Architectural Project Management (joint with £1400 per course
University of Edinburgh) (The MSc and PG Diploma programmes Not applicable £1800
include a total of 7 courses)
15
A5.2.4 Methods of Payment for course/assessment fees:
The taught course fee includes the course and assessment fee.
ONLINE COURSE REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT:

Payment by credit/debit card at
https://myhwu.hw.ac.uk/HWSAS8/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin
This is the quickest way to register for courses and the most secure method of
payment.
 Debit or credit card – if you experience any problems or have any questions, please
contact the Student Support Team ([email protected]). Once the payment
has been completed, the Student Support Team will check the course selection before
updating your record.
 Sponsor – if fees are to be paid by a sponsor, students must submit a scanned copy
of a current letter from the sponsor confirming they will pay the fees plus details of
where the invoice is to be sent. This should be on the sponsor’s headed paper. Also
submit a completed Course Application form. You will find the form at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/distance-
learning/independent/information-for-current-students.htm Please submit the form and
sponsor letter to [email protected]
OTHER METHODS OF PAYMENT:

Please note: these are considerably slower methods of payment and therefore may
delay course registration.
 Bank transfer – please ensure you include your name and ID or application number as a reference
on the remittance. Missing details will delay the payment being allocated to the appropriate
account.
Heriot-Watt University has partnered with Western Union Business Solutions to offer a dynamic
method of payment to all of its students or parent/guardian for paying by bank transfer for tuition,
accommodation and other fees. This service gives international students the ability to pay in their
domestic currency and avoid costly international transfer fees. Western Union will also ensure the
full amount you transfer is passed on to the University. Please follow the instruction at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/services/payment/bank-transfer.htm (also see the document Making
Payment Via Bank-to-Bank Transfer). Please also submit a completed Course Application form to
[email protected] You will find the form at https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-
geoscience-infrastructure-society/distance-learning/independent/information-for-current-
students.htm
 UK cheque or bankers draft – payment should be made in Pounds Sterling (GBP), drawn on a
British bank and made payable to ‘Heriot-Watt University’. Please also submit a completed Course
Application form to [email protected] You will find the form at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/distance-
learning/information-for-current-students.htm
Before mailing a cheque or bankers draft, please check the details with us so we can ensure
you have the correct mailing address.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: HW Online Student Support Team: +44(0)131 451 4424 or 4623 (the team are currently working
remotely and unable to take calls)
16
A5.2.5 Student ID card
As part of the online enrolment process, students can upload a photograph to the online
enrolment system. This will enable the University to provide you with a matriculation card
which students have to provide when taking examinations.
If you upload a photograph, please email the Student Service Centre from your Heriot-
Watt email account so they can generate and mail the card ([email protected]).
A5.3 How to enrol for further courses

Students can apply for further courses in line with entry dates (Section A1.2) by following
the Course Registration instructions as detailed in Section A5.2.2.
A5.4 Access to course material via VISION

Students will access course material via the University’s virtual learning environment
(VLE) known as VISION directly from the Student Portal (myHWU) or
http://vision.hw.ac.uk/ Students are provided with a unique username and password on
the confirmation letter when they enrol online. This will give students access to the course
material for each one in the appropriate semester and also to their Heriot-Watt email
account. This should be checked at least once per week as the University usually uses
this to send out general information. For further information see section A10.3.
A5.5 Amendments to enrolment

Completed forms must be signed and returned to the Student Support Team (scanned
and emailed). The most common amendments to enrolment applied for by distance
learning students are:
A5.5.1 Programme transfer
Students wishing to transfer programme should complete the Programme Transfer
Application (Taught) form at https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/record/change-course-
programme.htm and submit it to the Student Support Team.
A5.5.2 Temporary suspension of studies (TSS)
In certain situations if may be helpful for a student to suspend their studies temporarily. It
sometimes helps to take time out to deal with issues that are preventing a student from
studying effectively – this might be a health or personal issue – and return to their studies
at an agreed date. This also ensures the total length of the period of studies is not
reduced. The Policy on Student Temporary Suspension of Studies is available at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/doc/tss.pdf & more info at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/leaving/temporary-suspension-studies.htm
Application for a TSS is through Student Self Service (go to the Student Portal and click
on the Student Record tile). On the Student menu, under Programme & Course, click the
Temporary Suspension of Studies link. Make an application, explain the reason for the
request and upload any evidence (e.g. medical certificate). Please note that temporary
suspensions of studies will not be approved retrospectively. Students are informed about
the outcome by email by Academic Registry.
A5.5.3 Extension to period of study
If a student has exhausted the standard period of study, they may apply for an extension.
In the first instance, this would be for one additional year and would be approved by the
School. Students should complete the Amendment to Registration (Approval by School)
form at: https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/record/amending-your-enrolment.htm sign
and scan/email it to the Student Support Team.
A5.5.4 Withdrawal from programme of study
If a student wishes to withdraw from their programme of study, they should complete the
Withdrawal from University form at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/leaving/withdrawing-from-university.htm sign and
scan/email it to the Student Support Team in the School. Tuition fees are non-refundable
17
(see online enrolment declaration) but if a student thinks they are entitled to a refund of
any fees, they should submit a request by email to the Student Support Team.
A5.6 Change of personal details (name/address)
Students who wish to change their address should do so through Student Self Service by
following the online enrolment link at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/enrolment.htm
Students who wish to change their name details must contact the Student Service Centre
([email protected]) and provide the appropriate paperwork.
18
A6 Course study
A6.1 Programme structure
In common with most Heriot-Watt University postgraduate programmes, and with the
exception of a small number of courses, these degrees have a structure where each
course can be considered as being the equivalent of 150 hours of student effort. That
includes lectures, tutorials, field work, private study and assessment however, it should be
noted that (with the exception of a very small number of courses) all HW Online
programmes are entirely attendance free. Programme structures are available using the
Course Content link when you search for a postgraduate online programme at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/postgraduate-
programmes.htm
Programme structures for programmes no longer open to recruitment can be found on the
EGIS Organisation section on VISION. The Student Support Team can provide further
assistance.
A6.2 Course descriptors

Course descriptors are available using the links on each detailed programme guide at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/distance-
learning/online-learning.htm
A6.3 Communication with Course or Programme Leaders (Personal Tutor)

Questions relating to course material, coursework questions or examination preparation
should be directed to individual Course Leaders. Some courses are also supported by
Tutors. Information about Course Leaders and Tutors including their contact details are
available on VISION. Students are encouraged to submit questions via the discussion
board for the individual course on VISION if this has been set up by the Course
Leader/Tutor.
More general academic questions relating to a programme should be directed to the

Programme Leader (see Section A1.4).
For HW Online students, their Personal Tutor is their Programme Leader. The Personal
Tutor is the point of contact in relation to a range of academic and pastoral matters.
Administrative questions should be directed to the Heriot-Watt Online Student Support

Team ([email protected]).
19
A7 Assessment and progression
A7.1 Assessment
Course assessment is by either:
1. 100% exam (please note, this may include a mandatory piece of coursework), OR
2. 100% coursework, OR
3. A combination of coursework and exam.
Details of assessment and availability for individual courses can be found on each course
descriptor on the School website or in Section A11.2.
 For courses with an element of coursework (formative or summative), this should be

completed during a semester when teaching is provided. Exams may be completed in
any semester.
It should be noted students have a maximum of TWO opportunities (one first

attempt and one resit opportunity) for each assessment within a six-assessment
diet period from registering, for a maximum of three courses.
A7.2 Access to coursework questions

Coursework questions are available within the individual course information accessed via
VISION (for information about VISION, see section A5.4)
A7.3 Submission of coursework

Summative coursework (the grade contributes to the overall course grade) and formative
coursework (the grade does not contribute to the overall course grade) allows both
students and the Course Leaders to monitor the understanding of the content of each
course as students progress through the material. Coursework is set by Course Leaders.
Course Leaders are not required to make model answers available for coursework.
Before you submit your coursework, please ensure you have read Appendix A:
Student Guide to Plagiarism which is the last section of this handbook.
All coursework submitted become the property of the University and may be retained for
assessment and any later auditing.
All students should note that:

 Coursework must be submitted to Turnitin on VISION.
 Students are not required to submit a hard copy of their coursework unless it is
specifically requested by the Course Leader on VISION.
 UK times are used for coursework submission on VISION. It is the responsibility of the
student to submit their coursework on time.
A7.3.1 Return of coursework to students

1. Coursework feedback may be returned by email or generic feedback may be made
available on VISION.
2. If you are concerned that you have not received marked coursework back within a
reasonable time, you should contact the Course Leader/Tutor directly in the first
instance, and then the Programme Leader for your particular programme.
3. Please note that for the purpose of providing parity of marking across the course,
coursework submitted before the deadline date will not normally be marked before that
date.
20
A7.4 Examinations and examination diets
Examinations are offered at the end of each semester in December, April/May and
August. Dates of diets are noted in Section A1.1. Attention is drawn to the information
regarding calculators and dictionaries noted at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/exam-conduct-id-checks.htm. Please
note that translational dictionaries are not permitted in examinations. Please see section
A7.6 Exam registration.
A7.5 Access to past exam papers

Past exam papers are made available for each course on Vision by the individual Course
Leader.
A7.6 Exam registration

Once a student has registered for a course, there will be six exam diets available when
the exam for that course can be taken. This is over approximately two years.
When a student decides they are ready to take the exam, they register for exams using
the online system accessed via Student Self Service
(https://myhwu.hw.ac.uk/HWSAS8/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin) and can choose from a list of
over 400 exam centres. Students should expect that travel may be required*. Students
must register by the deadline set (see Section A1.2). There will also be deadlines by
which students will have the opportunity to change the location or* cancel exams.
* In response to the Covid-19 global pandemic, exams in August 2020 followed an
online Take Home exam format. It is likely this format will be followed for the
December 2020 exam diet but students will be updated in due course.
Check the final timetables on the Academic Registry website. Confirmation about the
exam date/time/venue will be emailed to Heriot-Watt email accounts. Please note: the
assessment fee is included with each course fee that is paid at the point of course
registration.
A7.6.1 Exam performance feedback

Students cannot question academic judgement however, students can request feedback
about their exam performance. This is normally only provided for students who have
failed an exam or if the result is significantly lower than the student expected. Exam
feedback requests are only accepted within three weeks after marks are released
(provisional or final).
A7.7 Students with special requirements

Course Leaders are provided with details about any special study/assessment requirements.
If a student requires the use of a reader/scribe and/or separate accommodation for an exam,
this must be organised well in advance of each assessment diet however, the onus is on
each student to ensure the necessary arrangements have been made and that they know
specific details.
Further details for students with special requirements can be found on the Student Health
and Wellbeing website:
https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/health-wellbeing/edinburgh/disability.htm
The University has site licence for software to help dyslexic students in the preparation of
documents. If any student feels this would be of benefit to them, they should contact the
EGIS IT Support Unit ([email protected]).
21
A7.8 Progression/award
The University operates Heriot-Watt Assessment and Progression System (HAPS) which
specifies minimum progression requirements. Schools have the option to apply
progression requirements above the minimum University requirement, which are approved
by the Studies Committees. Students should refer to the programme specific information
on progression requirements
Under HAPS students are awarded a Grade rather than a mark in each course.
Some courses in your programme may be marked using a combination of examination

and coursework. Information regarding the proportioning of marks can be found on each
course descriptor. For example, the percentage split between exams and coursework may
be 50-50, 70-30, 0-100 or 100-0.
Standards for Pass, Progression and Credit:

1. Entry courses:
 Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying (from September 2019)
 Construction Management (from September 2019)
 International Marine Science (from January 2019)
 Petroleum Engineering (from January 2019)
 Safety and Risk Management (from January 2019)
 Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering (from January 2019)
For the programmes above, students who start their studies from the months stated must
complete two entry courses before they can continue with the remaining courses. The
criteria are as follows:
 Students who pass both entry courses at grade D or above, at first attempt,
continue at MSc level;
 If a student achieves E grade for either entry course or if they have to resit an entry
course, they will continue at PG Diploma level.
2. PG Diploma minimum requirement: To pass a taught course at PG Diploma level,

Grade E or above is required and an overall average of Grade D (40%) or above is
required over all qualifying courses. This applies to all Heriot-Watt Online programmes.
3. PG Diploma with distinction minimum requirement: To pass a taught course at PG

Diploma distinction level, Grade C or above is required and an overall average of Grade A
(70%) or above is required over all qualifying courses at first opportunity. This applies to
all Heriot-Watt Online programmes.
4. MSc minimum requirement: See the table on next page.
5. MSc with Merit (*New* applies to students first enrolled on programme September 2019
and beyond) minimum requirement: See the table on next page.
6. MSc with distinction minimum requirement: See the table on next page.
Criteria for pass, progression and credit points for PG Diploma, PG Diploma with
distinction, MSc and MSc with distinction is specified in the structures for each
programme. Programme structures are available at using the Course Content link for
each programme at https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-
society/distance-learning/online-learning.htm or on the EGIS Organisation section on
Vision. Also see paragraph A7.10 Re-assessment.
22
A7.8 (continued) Requirements for: Progression to dissertation/projects
Awards of Master, Master with Merit and Master with distinction
Progression to Master Master with Merit Masters with distinction

dissertation/projects *NEW* (applies to students first enrolled on
programme September 2019 and beyond)
Institute Requirements Grade Comments Grade Comments Grade Comments
ILES 1. Pass eight taught courses 50%/C Credit weighted average ≥ 50% 60%/B Credit weighted average ≥ 60% 70%/A Credit weighted average ≥ 70%
(A1 coded at grade D or above over 8 courses at grades A-D over 8 courses at grades A-C over 8 courses at grades A-C
programmes)
plus a dissertation/projects at plus a plus a dissertation/projects at
2. Obtain overall average of minimum grade C dissertation/projects at grade A at first opportunity.
50% or above across the minimum grade B
eight taught courses
IIE 1. Pass eight taught courses 50%/C Credit weighted average ≥ 50% 60%/B Credit weighted average ≥ 60% 70%/A Credit weighted average ≥ 70%
(D2 coded at grade D or above over 8 courses at grades A-D over 8 courses at grades A-C over 8 courses at grades A-C
programmes)
CoESBD 1. Pass eight taught courses 50%/C Credit weighted average ≥ 50% 60%/B Credit weighted average ≥ 60% 70%/A Credit weighted average ≥70%
programmes)
plus a dissertation/projects at plus a dissertation/projects at plus a dissertation/projects at
2. Obtain overall average of minimum grade C minimum grade B grade A at first opportunity.
50% or above across the
TUI 1. Pass eight taught courses 50%/C Credit weighted average ≥ 50% 60%/B Credit weighted average ≥ 60% 70%/A Credit weighted average ≥ 70%
programmes)
IGE 1. Pass eight taught courses 50%/C Credit weighted average ≥ 50% 60%/B Credit weighted average ≥ 60% 70%/A Credit weighted average ≥ 70%
(G1 coded at grade D or above over 8 courses at grades A-D over 8 courses at grades A-C over 8 courses at grades A-C
programmes)
plus a dissertation/projects at plus a plus two projects with an overall
2. Obtain overall average of minimum grade C dissertation/projects at grade A average at first
50% or above across the minimum grade B opportunity. With no single
eight taught courses project at a grade lower than a
grade B.
23
A7.9 Exam boards and results
Where assessment has been completed for a taught course(s) or Masters dissertation/
Projects, the grades will be presented to the appropriate Progression or Award
Examination Board. These are usually held in May/June and September/October.
Results will then be passed to the central Academic Registry and when they have been
made available to view online, a notification email will be sent by Academic Registry to
your Heriot-Watt email account.
A7.10 Re-assessment
 If a Grade A, B or C is awarded at the first assessment attempt in a course, students
are not entitled to any form of re-assessment to obtain a higher grade.
 A student who has been awarded a Grade F in a course will normally be re-assessed
in that course (providing they have sufficient re-assessment opportunities remaining).
 A student who is following the Masters route, who has been awarded a Grade E will
be re-assessed when the assessment (exam and/or coursework) is next available
(providing they have sufficient re-assessment opportunities remaining).
 A student who is following the Postgraduate Diploma route who has been awarded a
Grade E will not normally re-assessed until they have successfully completed all other
taught courses and only if they have the required number of re-assessment
opportunities remaining.
 A student who has been awarded a Grade D may be permitted a re-assessment if
they have the required number of re-assessment opportunities remaining.
 For students following the programmes listed in section A7.8 paragraph 1,

please refer to that paragraph for details about re-assessments for entry
courses. If you have any questions, please contact the HW Online Student
Support Team.
 In all of the above cases, re-assessment decisions are made by the Exam Board
(not by the student).
 Students have a maximum of TWO opportunities (one first attempt and one resit
These decisions are made by the formal Progression Examination Board and any re-
assessments required are noted on the results available online. The format of the re-
assessment shall be as specified by the School however, in most cases, the method of re-
assessment will be the same as the original assessment. If a student is in any doubt about
the method of re-assessment, they should contact the Student Support Team or specific
Course Leader for guidance. Details about re-assessment coursework should be made
available by the specific Course Leader on VISION.
Re-assessment should be taken at the next opportunity. Online results will indicate any
grades obtained by re-assessment by recording the number of assessment opportunities
taken for satisfactory completion of the each course.
A7.11 Mitigating Circumstances
Once a student has registered for a course, there will be six assessment diets available
when the assessment can be taken once a student has decided they are ready to
complete the assessment. This is over approximately two years.
24
 Students have a maximum of TWO opportunities (one first attempt and one resit
Examinations
For assessment by exam, students must register by the deadline set for the relevant exam
diet. There will also be a deadline by which students will have the opportunity to change
the location. There will also be a cancellation deadline and there is no penalty if exam
cancellation is before the deadline. Once the deadline has passed, if a student does not
attend an exam they will be marked as absent and lose an opportunity.
Coursework
If a student has indicated they will complete the coursework in a particular semester but
fails to submit, they will be marked as absent and lose an opportunity.
If absence is recorded for either exam non-attendance or coursework non-submission the

student may consider submitting a Mitigating Circumstances Application.
Your attention is drawn to the Policy on Mitigating Circumstances in Relation to

Assessment and Mitigating Circumstance Guide to Students which are available at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/mitigating-circumstances.htm
This relates to circumstances which, through no fault of the student, mean that
assessment (whether examinations or other types of assessment) has not been
completed. It defines what the University does and does not accept as mitigating
circumstances and details the process for application.
Application for Mitigating Circumstances is through Student Self Service (go to the
Student Portal and click on the Student Record tile). Make an application, explain the
reason for the request and upload any evidence (e.g. medical certificate).
Deadline dates for submission of Mitigating Circumstances Applications:
DEADLINE DATES FOR SUBMISSION OF MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES APPLICATION

FORMS TO THE STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM:
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED For mitigating circumstances occurring during Semester 1 up until
and including Friday 18 December 2020.
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED For mitigating circumstances which relate to only dissertation or
project submissions in April 2021.
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED For mitigating circumstances occurring during Semester 2 up until
and including Friday 7 May 2021.
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED For mitigating circumstances occurring during Semester 3/resit
exam diet up to and including Friday 13 August 2021.
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED For mitigating circumstances which relate to only dissertation or
project submissions in August 2021.
Failure to notify us of any mitigating circumstances by these dates means they will not be
considered at the relevant exam boards.
25
A8 Research Dissertation / Masters Dissertation
Field Development Project / Individual Project
A8.1 Introduction
Heriot-Watt Online students who have successfully completed all taught courses and
progressed to the Masters dissertation, Research Projects, Research Dissertation or
Petroleum Engineering Field Development Project/Individual Project have the option to
choose when to register and commence.
This is dependent on the student having the required semesters remaining within their
total period of studies (the maximum period of studies for MSc is 8 years). You can check
the expiry date on the Programme Details screen when you complete online enrolment for
2020/21.
Students can elect the (start of the) semester when they wish to register for the
dissertation. Students register for the dissertation/project by submitting the
relevant Masters dissertation, Research Projects and Research Dissertation
Application or Projects form.
Dissertations/Projects are a very important and demanding part of your MSc studies.
They require students to undertake a substantial self-directed piece of work under the
direction of an expert academic supervisor, who you will engage with for the duration.
Currently, the Masters dissertation, Research Projects, Research Dissertation, Field
Development Project and Individual Project run over two consecutive semesters. The
reason for this is academic: this important component of your Masters degree has to be
time-bound in order to provide an academic test of your ability to deliver the required
outcomes in the time permitted. As we continue to roll out exciting new changes for
Heriot-Watt Online students, we will gather student feedback and seek ways to increase
flexibility further.
WHEN YOU CAN BEGIN: SUBMISSION DATE:

(please note: extensions will not be granted)
Monday 7 DECEMBER 2020 (23:59 UK time)
Note: the next Award Board and Graduation after this submission
MAY 2020
date is May and June respectively. Final results/award decisions
are only available after the Award Board.
SEPTEMBER 2020 Tuesday 6 APRIL 2021 (23:59 UK time)
JANUARY 2021 Monday 16 AUGUST 2021 (23:59 UK time)
Monday 6 DECEMBER 2021 (23:59 UK time)
Note: the next Award Board and Graduation after this submission
MAY 2021
date is May and June respectively. Final results/award decisions
are only available after the Award Board.
Which piece of work you complete depends on the Programme you are studying and you
should check the lists and information on the following sections:
8.2 Research Dissertation
8.3 Research Projects
8.4 Masters Dissertation
8.5 Field Development Project & Individual Project
Note: For the Masters dissertation, Research Projects and Research Dissertation,
Field Development Project and Individual Project, students must achieve Grade C or
above for Masters award, for Master with Merit, students must achieve Grade B or
above and for Masters with distinction award, students must achieve Grade A.
26
A8.2 Research Dissertation
MSc Advanced Structural Engineering (D21RZ)*
MSc Architectural Project Management (D31RZ)**
MSc Building Conservation (Technology & Management) (D31RZ)**
MSc Civil Engineering (D21RZ)*
MSc Civil Engineering & Construction Management (D21RZ)*
MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying (D31RZ)***
MSc Construction Project Management (D31RZ)***
MSc Real Estate and Planning (D41RZ)****
MSc Real Estate Investment and Finance (D41RZ)****
MSc Real Estate Management and Development (D41RZ)****
MSc Safety and Risk Management (D21RZ)*
MSc Safety Risk and Reliability Engineering (D21RZ)*
MSc Structural and Foundation Engineering (D21RZ)*
MSc Sustainable Urban Management (D41RZ)****
MSc Urban and Regional Planning (D41RZ)****
MSc Water and Environmental Management (D21RZ)*
MSc Water Technology and Desalination (D21RZ)*
Students studying the programmes listed above, once they have completed all taught
courses and have been progressed to the research phase of the programme, will study
the Research Dissertation.
Please ensure you have read the Introduction in Section A8.1.
The Research Dissertation is completed over two semesters. Topics will be set by the
Research Dissertation Course Leader with support provided via VISION.
For starting points and submission dates, please refer to Section A8.1.
For most programmes, please contact the appropriate Dissertation Co-ordinator with
suggested topic for you dissertation:
Programmes Dissertation Co-ordinator Email address

* Dr M Shadi Mohammed [email protected]
** Dr Turker Bayrak [email protected]
*** Information about dissertation topics can be found on Vision.
**** Dr Gina Netto [email protected]
Research Dissertation submission

The Research Dissertation is submitted via Turnitin on VISION on or before the relevant
deadline. Students are not required to submit hard copies.
Turnitin detects all places in a student’s work are the same as work already submitted or
published work. Turnitin flags all cases and these cases are examined in detail by the
markers to determine whether the student has deliberately copied material. See
Appendix A at the end of this handbook for details on how to avoid plagiarism.
27
A8.3 Masters Dissertation
MSc Architectural Engineering (D11ZZ))
MSc Building Services Engineering (D11ZZ)
MSc Carbon and Energy Management (D11ZZ)
MSc Sustainable Building Design (D11ZZ)
MSc Sustainable Community Design (D11ZZ)
Students must achieve Masters level (grade C or above) in order to pass the
dissertation.
This applies to students enrolled on the Masters stream of the above programmes and
students enrolled on the Postgraduate Diploma stream of the same programmes who
hope to achieve the required grades and overall average and transfer to the Masters
stream.
Once a student is reaching the completion of their eight taught courses, they should start
to think about the topic they wish to research for their dissertation and contact the
Dissertation Co-ordinator for their Programme within the School. Once they have
received a formal decision to progress to Masters dissertation (following a Progression
Board) a supervisor will be formally allocated.
Dissertation Co-ordinator Email address

Dr M Shadi Mohammed [email protected]
Once a supervisor has been allocated, students will have regular communication with
them regarding their progress.
The earliest a student can submit their dissertation is at the first submission point following
receipt of the results from the Exam Board which confirms that progression to the Masters
dissertation has been approved.
Students should refer to the School Dissertation Guide and Discipline specific Dissertation
Guide (if available) which can be found on VISION once formal registration for the
dissertation has taken place.
These documents give details about references and bibliography to which students should
pay particular attention.
For starting points and submission dates, please refer to Section A8.1.
Masters dissertation submission

Masters dissertations are submitted via Turnitin on VISION on or before the relevant
deadline. Students are not required to submit hard copies.
28
A8.4 Masters Projects
MSc Applied Petroleum Geoscience Team Exploration Project (also known as Field Exploration
Project) (G11TP)
Individual Project (G11IP)
MSc Mature Field Management Field Management Project (G11FP)
Field Management Individual Project (G11IF)
MSc Petroleum Engineering Field Development Project (also known as Design Project)
(G11DP)
Individual Project (G11IP)
Each project is completed over 2 semesters and can be started independently. Given the
workload, it is not recommended to start both projects at the same time.
A8.5.1 Field Development Project (G11DP)

The task is to carry out a technical and economic study of an oil discovery in the context of
current technological, economic, environmental and political conditions. The ultimate objective
is to prepare a single Field Development report that satisfies the requirements of both
company senior management and the government.
The dataset and instructions for the FDP are available on VISION.
Assessment
The assessment of the Field Development Project for HW Online students is based on a
written report, which is usually marked by several Academic Staff members.
Field Development Project submission

The Field Development report is submitted via Turnitin on VISION on or before the
relevant deadline. Students are not required to submit hard copies.
A8.5.2 Individual Project (G11IP)

The purpose of the individual project is to prepare a substantial piece of individual
research in the area of Petroleum Engineering. All candidates are required to submit a
report (dissertation) which comprehensively describes the work conducted during the
study period.
The process of selecting an appropriate subject and a suitable supervisor is iterative and
should be initiated by the student, immediately after they have registered for the project.
HW Online students should submit a project synopsis and a plan of action for their project
to the Individual Project Co-ordinator, Dr Oscar Vazquez. He will allocate an academic
supervisor, who will provide guidance and support throughout the duration of the project.
Student should regularly submit progress reports to their supervisor.
Assessment/next page
29
Assessment
The results of the investigation must be presented in the form of a written report, as well
as a set of presentation slides. An oral presentation is not required.
Individual Project submission

The Individual Project report and slides are submitted via Turnitin on VISION on or before
the relevant deadline. Students are not required to submit hard copies.
A8.5.3 Team Exploration Project (G11TP)

More information about the Team Exploration Project will be added in due course.
A8.5.4 Field Management Project (G11FP)

More information about the Field Management Project will be added in due course.
A8.5.5 Field Management Individual Project (G11IF)

More information about the Field Management Individual Project will be added in due
course.
30
9 Graduation
Graduations are held in June and November or December. Students who expect to
graduate following an External Exam Board should complete the online Graduation
application and fee payment process per the instructions on the Academic Registry
website at https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/students/studies/graduation.htm as soon as the online
graduation system has opened prior to the next graduation ceremony. If, for any reason,
the student does not graduate, they can request that the fee is refunded. Further details
about Graduation can be found at the same web location.
10 Further School Information

10.1 EGIS Resource Centre
The EGIS Resource Centre is on the top floor of the Edwin Chadwick building, Rooms 2.04,
2.05 and 2.06. EGIS students visiting the University are welcome to make use of these
facilities however, any student wishing to visit the Edinburgh Campus are advised to contact
the HW Online Student Support Team ([email protected]) in the first instance.
10.2 University Library

If students visit the Edinburgh Campus, they are welcome to use the same Library resources
as any campus-based student. However, although most distance learning students do not
visit the campus, they do have access to a wide range of Library resources wherever they
are studying. You can find more information about the Library resources
https://www.hw.ac.uk/services/is/library-essentials.htm Specifically, you will find information
about off-campus access by selecting the Off campus tab at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/services/is/library-essentials/onoff-campus-access.htm Again, any
student wishing to visit the Edinburgh Campus are advised to contact the HW Online Student
Support Team ([email protected]) in the first instance.
10.3 Computing facilities

The University uses a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which provides on-line tailored
access to learning materials, collaborative areas, forums, electronic submission of
coursework and much more.
This is known as Vision (Virtual Student Information Organisation Network) and can be
accessed directly from the Student Portal (myHWU) or at http://vision.hw.ac.uk Students
should use the username and password created during the online enrolment process.
Once you have accessed it from the Student Portal or logged on, you should see all of the
courses for which you have registered to study, however if it includes courses you have
already completed, please ignore these. If you do not see a course for which you are
registered, it may be for one of two reasons:
1. you may not be correctly registered for the course (contact the Student Support Team
at [email protected])
OR
2. the course leader has not made their course available on Vision (contact specific
Course Leader).
10.4 Course and programme feedback questionnaires

At the end of delivery of each course, students are asked to complete a questionnaire to give
feedback on the material used for the course and the quality of the delivery process. At the
end of the academic year, students are asked to give feedback on the relevant year of study
including contents, delivery, assessment, etc. This feedback is used by Course Leaders and
Discipline Directors of Studies to determine issues that need to be addressed and is
31
therefore it is very important that you complete this. Feedback is also discussed at Student-
Staff Committees.
10.5 Health and Safety Policy Statement

This information relates to students while visiting the University:
The principal aim of our policy is to encourage the development and the maintenance of a
health and safety culture of the highest level amongst all employees and students within the
School. This will be achieved through the provision and maintenance of a healthy and safe
work environment for everyone and will apply to all locations for which the School has a
responsibility as well as to the equipment/facilities provided and the associated safe working
systems and procedures that must be adopted.
EGIS will also provide such information, training and supervision as is deemed necessary in
support of the above.
We also accept our responsibility for the health and safety of other people who may be
affected by our activities.
We cannot be held responsible for unreasonable behaviour that puts people at risk. It is
assumed that each person within EGIS is sufficiently responsible to act with a degree of
competence in keeping with their prior experience and qualifications.
You can access the Health and Safety Policy Statement on the University website at
https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/policies.htm
The experiences gained through the operation of the policy will be reviewed annually
and where appropriate the EGIS Health and Safety policy document will be amended.
32
A11 PROGRAMME STRUCTURES, COURSE AVAILABILITY AND
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
A11.1 Recommended routes for the following programmes are listed in alphabetical
order in this section. Included are:
Institute of Life and Earth Sciences

MSc/PG Diploma in International Marine Science
MSc/PG Diploma in Marine Renewable Energy
MSc/PG Diploma in Renewable Energy Development
Institute for Infrastructure & Environment

MSc/PG Diploma in Advanced Structural Engineering
MSc/PG Diploma in Civil Engineering
MSc/PG Diploma in Civil Engineering and Construction Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Safety and Risk Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering
The following programme is closed to recruitment and only available to continuing students:
MSc/PG Diploma in Structural and Foundation Engineering
MSc/PG Diploma in Water and Environmental Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Water Technology and Desalination
Institute of Sustainable Building Design

MSc/PG Diploma in Building Services Engineering
MSc/PG Diploma in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying
MSc/PG Diploma in Construction Project Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Sustainable Urban Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning
The following programmes are closed to recruitment and only available to continuing students:
MSc/PG Diploma in Architectural Engineering
MSc/PG Diploma in Architectural Project Management - joint with University of Edinburgh
MSc/PG Diploma in Building Conservation (Technology and Management)
MSc/PG Diploma in Carbon and Energy Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Sustainable Building Design
MSc/PG Diploma in Sustainable Community Design
The Urban Institute

MSc/PG Diploma in Real Estate and Planning
MSc/PG Diploma in Real Estate Investment and Finance
MSc/PG Diploma in Real Estate Management and Development
Institute of Petroleum Engineering

MSc/PG Diploma in Applied Petroleum Geoscience
MSc/PG Diploma in Mature Field Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Petroleum Engineering
Non- Institute specific

MSc/PG Diploma in Built Environment
Heriot-Watt University reserves the right to update materials from time to time and will ensure
that advance notification concerning changes to materials is provided to students on the
relevant section of the University website. It is the responsibility of students to check the
website, particularly if they are returning to studies after a period during which their studies
have been in abeyance.
33
D2F7-ASE MSc in Advanced Structural Engineering
D2F5-ASE PG Diploma in Advanced Structural Engineering
Course availability and assessment method details can be found in Section A11.2.
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – four mandatory and four optional.
Course code Course title Mandatory/optional

COURSES AVAILABLE IN SEMESTER 1:
D21FA Finite Element Method: Linear Analysis (formerly Finite Element Mandatory
Analysis and Stress Analysis A)
D21EQ Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (formerly Mandatory
Earthquake Engineering)
D21GG Ground Engineering Optional
D21SM Structural Materials Optional
D21AS Advanced Design of Steel and Steel Concrete Composite Mandatory
Structures
D20DT Plastic Analysis of Structures (formerly Analysis of Indeterminate Mandatory
Structures)
D21MC Computational Modelling of Steel and Concrete Optional
D11DC Design of Low Carbon Buildings Optional
D21FB Finite Element Method: Nonlinear Analysis (formerly Finite Optional
Element Analysis and Stress Analysis B)
D21FE Foundation Engineering Optional
D11SB Energy Systems and Buildings Optional
D21SR Safety, Risk and Reliability Optional
Assessment for each course is available in each of three exam diets: December, April/May and
August. Exam registration must be completed online via Student Self Service. See Section A7.6.
For this programme, Masters level students complete the Research Dissertation. Please see
Sections A8.1 & A8.2 for further information.
The Research Dissertation is completed over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning the Research Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all
taught courses and received a formal Exam Board decision to proceed to the dissertation/project.
34
G1G7-APG MSc in Applied Petroleum Geoscience
G1G5-APG PG Diploma in Applied Petroleum Geoscience
Course assessment method details can be found in Section A11.2.
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses - all mandatory
Course Course title Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3

Study: Sept - Dec Study: Jan - Apr Study: May - Aug
code
G11FE Formation Evaluation   
G11PB Petroleum Basins  
G11PS Petroleum Systems  
G11SE Reservoir Sedimentology  
G11GA Applied Petroleum Geophysics 
G11GM Geomechanics and Flow Mechanics 
Operations, Appraisal and 
G11OA
Development
G11PP Play and Prospect Evaluation 
Notes:
1. At the start of the programme, we recommend that students take the following first semester
courses: G11FE (Formation Evaluation) and G11PB (Petroleum Basins).
2. For students who want the MSc in Applied Petroleum Geoscience to be accredited by the
British Geological Society, it is a current requirement of the accrediting body that they
undertake a residential fieldwork course. This takes place after successful completion of the
eight taught courses. At present the residential fieldwork course takes place in the UK and
interested students are advised to carefully consider any associated visa issues. The
residential fieldwork course also incurs an additional cost in the region of £2,500 - £3,000
(costs to be confirmed). There is no fieldwork requirement if students wish to graduate with a
non-accredited qualification.
3. Continued enrolment on the programme is conditional on satisfactory performance in the

assessments.
For this programme, Masters level students complete the Team Exploration Project and the
Individual Project. Please see Sections A8.1 and A8.4 for further information.
The Team Exploration Project is completed over two consecutive semesters and the Individual
Project is completed over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning either the Team Exploration Project or the Individual Project, students must
have successfully completed all taught courses and received a formal Exam Board decision to
proceed to the dissertation/project.
35
D117-AEN MSc in Architectural Engineering
D115-AEN PG Diploma in Architectural Engineering
This programme is closed to recruitment and only available to continuing students.
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – one mandatory and seven optional.
 Students must complete minimum two courses marked *
Continuing students who have any questions about their choice of course(s) should contact the
Student Support Team in the first instance ([email protected]).

D11BD * Building Electrical and Lighting Services Optional
D11CA Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation Optional
D31PZ Contracts and Procurement Optional
B51ET Foundations of Energy (provided by the School of Engineering & Optional
Physical Sciences)
D11MD Modelling for Sustainable Building Design Optional
D41TN Technical Networks and Urban Resilience Optional
D31VR Value and Risk Management Optional
D11VE * Ventilation and Air Conditioning Optional
D21WC Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings Optional
D11DC Design of Low Carbon Buildings Mandatory
D11AF * Architectural Acoustics Optional
B51GK Demand Management and Energy Storage (provided by the Optional
School of Engineering & Physical Sciences)
D30IC Innovation in Construction Practice Optional
D31PO People and Organisation Management for the Built Optional
Environment
D11TH * Thermofluids Optional
D21WW Water and Wastewater Treatment Optional
Assessment for Dxxxx coded courses is available in each of three exam diets: December, April/May
and August. Exam registration must be completed online via Student Self Service. See Section
A7.6.
For this programme, Masters level students complete the Masters Dissertation. Please see
The Masters Dissertation is completed over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning the Masters Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all
36
D3J7-APM MSc in Architectural Project Management
D3J5-APM PG Diploma in Architectural Project Management
This programme is run jointly with the University of Edinburgh.
Students must study: 3 courses from University of Edinburgh (UofE) worth 20 credits each and
4 courses from Heriot-Watt University (HW) worth 15 credits each
The University of Edinburgh courses must be completed in the following order:
1. D31DV Design, Value and Architecture
2. D31AS Architecture and Sustainability
3. D31AI Architecture, Construction and Industrialisation

D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice (HW) Mandatory
D31PZ Contracts & Procurement (HW) Optional
D31VR Value & Risk Management (HW) Optional
D31DV Design, Value & Architecture (EU)* Mandatory
D31AS Architecture and Sustainability (EU) Mandatory
D31AI Architecture, Construction & Industrialisation (EU) Mandatory
D31PS Project Management: Strategic Issues (must complete Mandatory
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice first) (HW)
D31CG Construction Financial Management (HW) Optional
D31PO People & Organisation Management in the Built Optional
Environment (HW)
Assessment for HW courses is available in each of three exam diets: December, April/May and
2020/21: Assessment for D31DV, D31AS and D31AI (University of Edinburgh courses) will be
available in Semester 2 (Jan – Apr 2020) only.
37
D3M7-BCT MSc in Building Conservation (Technology & Management)
D3M5-BCT PG Diploma in Building Conservation (Technology &
Management)
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – seven mandatory and one optional.

D31BR Applied Building Pathology Mandatory
D31HH History of the Built Environment Mandatory
D31CN Conservation Philosophy & Practice Mandatory
D31PZ Contracts & Procurement Optional
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice Optional
D31BX Building & Contextual Investigation Mandatory
D30IC Innovation in Construction Practice Mandatory
D31MS Materials and Structures for Conservation Mandatory
D31PO People and Organisation Management in the Built Mandatory
Environment
38
D107-BSE MSc in Building Services Engineering
D108-BSE PG Diploma in Building Services Engineering
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – one mandatory and seven optional.
 Students must complete minimum two courses marked *

D11BD * Building Electrical and Lighting Services Optional
D31PZ Contracts and Procurement Optional
B51ET Foundations of Energy (provided by the School of Engineering & Optional
Physical Sciences)
D11MD Modelling for Sustainable Building Design Optional
D41TN Technical Networks and Urban Resilience Optional
D31VR Value and Risk Management Optional
D11VE * Ventilation and Air Conditioning Optional
D11AF * Architectural Acoustics Optional
B51GK Demand Management and Energy Storage (provided by the Optional
School of Engineering & Physical Sciences)
D30IC Innovation in Construction Practice Optional
D31PO People and Organisation Management for the Built Optional
Environment
D11TH * Thermofluids Optional
A7.6.
39
D5J7-BLT MSc in Built Environment
D5J5-BLT PG Diploma in Built Environment
This flexible postgraduate degree allows graduates and professionals from all sectors of the
construction and property industries to build a bespoke postgraduate qualification, meeting
their own career development needs whilst contributing towards the life-long learning
requirements of their professional bodies. Students can build a programme that allows them
to develop careers across the whole spectrum of built environment industries.
The taught element of the programme comprises eight optional courses which the student
selects from the list in Section A11.2 (Heriot-Watt courses only), which is comprised of a wide
range of courses offered across all School Institutes (subject to timetabling and demand).
Students who have achieved the required grades and overall average can then complete the
Masters dissertation.
Assessment for most courses is available in each of three exam diets: December, April/May and
40
D134-CMA MSc in Carbon and Energy Management
D135-CMA PG Diploma in Carbon and Energy Management
Continuing students who have any questions should contact the Student Support Team in the first
instance ([email protected]).
A7.6.
41
D2H7-CIV MSc in Civil Engineering
D2H5-CIV PG Diploma in Civil Engineering
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – all optional.

D21EG Environmental Geotechnics Optional
D21EH Environmental Hydrology & Water Resources Optional
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice Optional
D21EQ Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (formerly Optional
D11ST Sustainability for Construction Professionals (formerly Optional
Sustainability in Civil Engineering)
D20DT Plastic Analysis of Structures (formerly Analysis of Indeterminate Optional
Structures)
D31PS Project Management: Strategic Issues (must complete Optional
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice first)
D21SR Safety Risk & Reliability Optional
D21UD Urban Drainage & Water Supply Optional
42
D2J7-CEC MSc in Civil Engineering & Construction Management
D2J5-CEC PG Diploma in Civil Engineering & Construction Management
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – all optional

 Minimum 5 technical courses
 Minimum 2 non-technical Construction Project Management (CPM) courses
 Maximum 1 non-technical Civil Engineering course
Continuing students who have any questions about their choice of course(s) should contact the Student Support Team in the
first instance ([email protected]).
Course Course title
(May – Aug)
(Sep – Dec)
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
(Jan – Apr)
code
OPTIONAL COURSES:
TECHNICAL OPTIONS (select minimum 5 courses):
D21AR Advanced Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures 
D21EH Environmental Hydrology & Water Resources 
D21GG Ground Engineering 
D21EQ Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 
(formerly Earthquake Engineering)
D21SM Structural Materials 
D21AS Advanced Design of Steel and Steel Concrete 
Composite Structures
D21FB Finite Element Method Nonlinear Analysis 
D21FE Foundation Engineering 
D21SR Safety Risk & Reliability 
D20DT Plastic Analysis of Structures 
(formerly Analysis of Indeterminate Structures)
D21UD Urban Drainage & Water Supply 
D21WW Water and Wastewater Treatment 
NON-TECHNICAL CPM OPTIONS (select minimum 2 courses):
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice   
D31VR Value & Risk Management   
D31CG Construction Financial Management  
D31PS Project Management: Strategic Issues (must complete  
NON-TECHNICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING OPTIONS (select maximum 1 course):
D21EG Environmental Geotechnics 
D11ST Sustainability for Construction Professionals   
(formerly Sustainability in Civil Engineering)
ALL EXAMS ARE AVAILABLE
IN EVERY EXAM DIET
Heriot-Watt University reserves the right to update materials from time to time and will ensure that
advance notification concerning changes to materials is provided to students on the relevant section of
the University website. It is the responsibility of students to check the website, particularly if they are
returning to studies after a period during which their studies have been in abeyance.
43
D307-CMQ MSc in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying
D305-CMQ PG Diploma in Commercial Management and Quantity
Surveying
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses - six mandatory (including two entry courses)
and two optional.
Course Course title Mandatory
(May – Aug)
(Sep – Dec)
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
(Jan – Apr)
code /optional
D39TA Construction Technology 3 Mandatory

(Entry course: see below)
(This replaces D31TA Construction Technology. For info:   
Construction Technology 1 & Construction Technology 2 are not
offered to HW Online students)
D31VR Value & Risk Management Mandatory
  
D31PZ Contracts and Procurement Mandatory   
D21EH Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Optional 
D41ME Macroeconomics, Finance and the Built Environment Optional 
D41SP Spatial Planning Optional 
D11ST Sustainability for Construction Professionals Optional   
D41EP Urban Economy and Property Markets (This replaced Optional 
D41RE Real Estate Economics)
D31CG Construction Financial Management Mandatory  
D31CF Quantity Surveying Financial Management Mandatory  
D31PO People & Organisation Management in the Built Mandatory
 
Environment
D30IC Innovation in Construction Practice Optional  
(This replaces D31MI Construction Practice and Information Technology)
ALL EXAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN
EVERY EXAM DIET
TWO COURSE ENTRY FROM SEPTEMBER 2019

New Online students must successfully complete D31VR and D39TA before they can continue with the
remaining six taught courses. The criteria are as follows:
 Students who pass both entry courses at grade D or above, at the first attempt, continue at MSc level;
 If a student achieves E grade for either entry course or if they have to resit an entry course, they will
continue at PG Diploma level.
For this programme, Masters level students complete Research Dissertation. Please see Sections
A8.1 & A8.2 for further information.
Note: Before beginning Research Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all
44
D3K7-CPM MSc in Construction Project Management
D3K5-CPM PG Diploma in Construction Project Management
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – six mandatory (including two entry courses)
and two optional.
Course Course title Mandatory
(May – Aug)
(Sep – Dec)
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
(Jan – Apr)
code /optional
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice Mandatory

  
D31VR Value & Risk Management Mandatory
  
D31PZ Contracts and Procurement Mandatory   
D39TA Construction Technology 3 Optional
(This replaces D31TA Construction Technology. For info: Construction   
Technology 1 & Construction Technology 2 are not offered to HW Online
students)
D21EG Environmental Geotechnics Optional 
D21EH Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Optional 
D41ME Macroeconomics, Finance and the Built Environment Optional 
D41SP Spatial Planning Optional 
D11ST Sustainability for Construction Professionals Optional   
D41EP Urban Economy and Property Markets (This replaced Optional 
D41RE Real Estate Economics)
D31CG Construction Financial Management Mandatory  
D31PO People & Organisation Management in the Built Mandatory
 
Environment
D31PS Project Management: Strategic Issues (must complete Mandatory
 
D30IC Innovation in Construction Practice Optional  
(This replaces D31MI Construction Practice and Information Technology)
ALL EXAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN
EVERY EXAM DIET
TWO COURSE ENTRY FROM SEPTEMBER 2019

New Online students must successfully complete D31PT and D31VR before they can continue with the
remaining six taught courses. The criteria are as follows:
 Students who pass both entry courses at grade D or above, at the first attempt, continue at MSc level;
 If a student achieves E grade for either entry course or if they have to resit an entry course, they will
continue at PG Diploma level.
Note: Before beginning Research Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all
45
A184-IMS MSc in International Marine Science
A183-IMS PG Diploma in International Marine Science
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – five mandatory (including two entry courses)
and three optional.
Course Course title Mandatory Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3

(Sep – Dec) (Jan – Apr) (May – Aug)
code /optional
D11CA Climate Change, Sustainability and Mandatory
  
Adaptation - Entry course (see below)
A11EN Environmental Processes Mandatory
  
Entry course (see below)
A11AR Applied Research Skills Mandatory 
A11OC Oceanography Mandatory   
A11GI GIS for Marine and Environmental Mandatory

Scientists
A11TM Diversity of Marine Organisms Optional 
A11MP Introduction to Marine Planning Optional   
A11WA Marine Ecotoxicology (Labs – see below) Optional 
A11MT Marine Renewable Energy Technology Optional   
A11BT Marine Biotechnology Optional 
A11MV Marine Environmental Monitoring Optional 
A11VY Practical Skills in Marine Surveying Optional

(Fieldwork – see below)
A11CR Tropical Coral Reef Monitoring and Optional

Management (Fieldwork course – see below)
ALL EXAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN EVERY EXAM DIET
TWO COURSE ENTRY FROM JANUARY 2019

D11CA and A11EN are optional courses on the programme structure however, Online students must
successfully complete these two courses before continuing with the remaining six taught courses. If a student
achieves E grade for either entry course or if they have to resit an entry course, they will continue at PG
Diploma level. D11CA and A11EN are available to study in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
FIELDWORK COURSES – AWAITING UPDATED TEXT
LABORATORY COURSE – AWAITING UPDATED TEXT
Assessment for each course is available in each of three exam diets: December, April/May and August.
Exam registration must be completed online via Student Self Service. See Section A7.6.
For this programme, Masters level students complete Masters Dissertation. Please see Sections A8.1 &
A8.2 for further information.
Note: Before beginning Masters Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all taught
courses and received a formal Exam Board decision to proceed to the dissertation/project.
46
A134-MRE MSc in Marine Renewable Energy
A133-MRE PG Diploma in Marine Renewable Energy

A11ER Economics of Renewable Energy Mandatory
A11MT Marine Renewable Energy Technology Mandatory
A11OC Oceanography Mandatory
A11EY Energy in the 21st Century Optional
A11EN Environmental Processes Optional
A11DA Development Appraisal Mandatory
A11DT Development Project Mandatory
A11RN Renewable Technology Commercialisation (replaces Mandatory
Environmental Policy and Risk)
A11TI Integration of Renewable Technology Mandatory
It is recommended that (if possible) students start studying A11ER and A11EY first.
47
G1T7-MFM MSc in Mature Field Management
G1T5-MFM PG Diploma in Mature Field Management
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses - all mandatory

G11DS Managing the Surface Mandatory
G11GF Strategy and Planning Mandatory
G11OP Managing the Reservoir Mandatory
G11RF Optimising Recovery Mandatory
G11IM Cessation of Production? Mandatory
G11OS Optimising Productivity Mandatory
G11RM Producing Field Practices Mandatory
G11TS Managing the Wells Mandatory
Students will study the following two courses before continuing with the remaining courses:
 G11GF Strategy and Planning

 G11OP Managing the Reservoir
For this programme, Masters level students complete the Field Management Project and the Field
Management Individual Project. Please see Sections A8.1 and A8.4 for further information.
The Team Exploration Project is completed over two consecutive semesters and the Individual
Note: Before beginning either the Team Exploration Project or the Individual Project, students must
have successfully completed all taught courses and received a formal Exam Board decision to
48
G137-PEE MSc in Petroleum Engineering
G135-PEE PG Diploma in Petroleum Engineering
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – all mandatory (including two entry courses).

code
G11DE Drilling Engineering   
(Entry Course – see below)
G11FE Formation Evaluation   
G11PE Petroleum Economics   
G11PG Petroleum Geoscience   
G11PT Production Technology   
G11RE Reservoir Engineering   

G11RS Reservoir Simulation   
G11WT Well Test Analysis   
ALL EXAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN EVERY EXAM DIET

New Online students must successfully complete G11DE and G11RE before they can continue with
the remaining six taught courses. The criteria are as follows:
 Students who pass both entry courses at grade D or above, at the first attempt, continue at MSc
level;
 If a student achieves E grade for either entry course or if they have to resit an entry course,
they will continue at PG Diploma level.
Note for continuing students: Reservoir Simulation (G11RS) and Well Test Analysis (G11WT)
require knowledge of Reservoir Engineering (G11RE)
For this programme, Masters level students complete the Field Development Project and the
Individual Project. Please see Sections A8.1 and A8.4 for further information.
The Field Development Project is completed over two consecutive semesters and the Individual
Note: Before beginning either the Field Development Project or the Individual Project, students
must have successfully completed all taught courses and received a formal Exam Board decision to
49
D4P7-REP MSc in Real Estate and Planning
D4P5-REP PG Diploma in Real Estate and Planning
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – all mandatory.

D41VC Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation 1 Mandatory
D41SP Spatial Planning Mandatory
D40PT Planning Theories (replaced D41DD Sustainable Design and Development) Mandatory
D41EP Urban Economy and Property Markets (replaced D41RE Real Mandatory
Estate Economics)
D41PE Environmental Planning (replaced D41SZ Strategic Spatial Vision Mandatory
Project)
D41GV Governance, Participation and Community Planning Mandatory
D40RD Real Estate Development Mandatory
D41IA Real Estate Investment Analysis Mandatory
50
D4K7-REI MSc in Real Estate Investment & Finance
D4K5-REI PG Diploma in Real Estate Investment & Finance

D41VC Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 1 Mandatory
D41ME Macroeconomics, Finance & the Built Environment Mandatory
Estate Economics)
D41AN Real Estate Management & Sustainability (replaced D41IP Mandatory
International Property Markets & Investment)
D41VD Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 2 (must complete D41VC Mandatory
Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 1 first)
51
D4D7-RED MSc in Real Estate Management and Development
D4D5-RED PG Diploma in Real Estate Management and Development

D39TA Construction Technology 3 (replaced D31TA Construction Technology. Mandatory
For info: Construction Technology 1 & Construction Technology 2 are not offered
to HW Online students)
D41VC Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 1 Mandatory
Estate Economics)
D41VD Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 2 (must complete D41VC Mandatory
Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 1 first)
D41AN Real Estate Management and Sustainability Mandatory
52
A144-RED MSc in Renewable Energy Development
A143-RED PG Diploma in Renewable Energy Development

A11ER Economics of Renewable Energy Mandatory
A11EY Energy in the 21st Century Mandatory
A11TG Renewable Technology I: Generation Mandatory
A11EN Environmental Processes Optional
A11OC Oceanography Optional
A11DA Development Appraisal Mandatory
A11DT Development Project Mandatory
A11RN Renewable Technology Commercialisation (replaces Mandatory
Environmental Policy and Risk)
A11TI Integration of Renewable Technology Mandatory
It is recommended (if possible) that students start studying A11ER and A11EY first.
53
D2S7-SRM MSc in Safety and Risk Management
D2S5-SRM PG Diploma in Safety and Risk Management

code
D21HM Human Factors Methods   
D21LD Learning from Disasters   

D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice   
D21RA Risk Assessment & Safety Management  
D31VR Value and Risk Management   
D21FR Fire Safety, Explosions & Process Safety 
Human Factors in the Design and 

D21CR
Evaluation of Control Rooms
ALL EXAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN EVERY
EXAM DIET

New Online students must successfully complete D21HM and D21LD before they can continue with
level;
54
D2Q7-SRE MSc in Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering
D2Q5-SRE PG Diploma in Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering

code
D21HM Human Factors Methods   
D21LD Learning from Disasters   

D21DA Data Analysis and Simulation 
D21RA Risk Assessment & Safety Management  
D21SY Systems Reliability  
D21FR Fire Safety, Explosions & Process Safety 
D21SR Safety, Risk and Reliability 

ALL EXAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN EVERY
EXAM DIET

New Online students must successfully complete D21HM and D21LD before they can continue with
level;
55
D2R7-SFE MSc in Structural and Foundation Engineering
D2R5-SFE PG Diploma in Structural and Foundation Engineering

D21FA Finite Element Method: Linear Analysis (formerly Finite Element Mandatory
Analysis and Stress Analysis A)
D21EQ Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (formerly Mandatory
D21SM Structural Materials Optional
D21AS Advanced Design of Steel and Steel Concrete Composite Mandatory
Structures
D20DT Plastic Analysis of Structures (formerly Analysis of Indeterminate Mandatory
Structures)
D21MC Computational Modelling of Steel and Concrete Optional
D11DC Design of Low Carbon Buildings Optional
D21FB Finite Element Method: Nonlinear Analysis (formerly Finite Optional
Element Analysis and Stress Analysis B)
D21SR Safety, Risk and Reliability Optional
56
D102-SCD MSc in Sustainable Building Design
D103-SCD PG Diploma in Sustainable Building Design

D11CA Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation Mandatory
D11MD Modelling for Sustainable Building Design Mandatory
D11VE Ventilation and Air Conditioning Mandatory
D21WC Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings Mandatory
D11DC Design of Low Carbon Buildings (course code previously D11LC) Mandatory
D11SB Energy Systems and Buildings Mandatory
D11ED Environmental Design Mandatory
D30IC Innovation in Construction Practice (replaced D11HF Human Factors) Mandatory
Note: It is recommended that students study D11SB before studying D11MD.
57
D16P-SCD MSc in Sustainable Community Design
D16Q-SCD PG Diploma in Sustainable Community Design

D11CA Climate Change and Sustainability Mandatory
D11BD Building Electrical & Lighting Services Optional
D21EH Environmental Hydrology & Water Resources Optional
D41SP Spatial Planning Optional
D11VE Ventilation & Air Conditioning Optional
D11EP Ecovillage Practice (no longer running) Mandatory
D11CP Community Design Practice (no longer running) Mandatory
D41PE Environmental Planning Optional
D21UD Urban Drainage & Water Supply Optional
58
D4S7-SUM MSc in Sustainable Urban Management
D4S5-SUM PG Diploma in Sustainable Urban Management
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses – six mandatory and two optional.

D11CA Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation Mandatory
D41TN Technical Networks and Urban Resilience Mandatory
D41EP Urban Economy and Property Markets Mandatory
D41PE Environmental Planning Mandatory
D41UK UK and International Housing Policy Mandatory
D11DC Design of Low Carbon Buildings (course code previously D11LC) Optional
D41GV Governance, Participation and Community Planning Optional
D31PO People and Organisation Management in the Built Optional
Environment
D41SS Social Sustainability Optional
59
D4B7-URP MSc in Urban and Regional Planning
D4B5-URP PG Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning

D40PT Planning Theories Mandatory
(students are advised to study the following two courses before
beginning D40PT: D41EP, D41SP)
D41SZ Strategic Spatial Vision Project Mandatory
D41EP Urban Economy and Property Markets (replaces D41DD Mandatory
Sustainable Design and Development)
D41PE Environmental Planning Mandatory
D41GV Governance, Participation and Community Planning Mandatory
D40RD Real Estate Development (replaces UK and International Housing Policy) Mandatory
D41SS Social Sustainability Mandatory
60
D201-WEM MSc in Water and Environmental Management
D202- WEM PG Diploma in Water and Environmental Management

D21EH Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Mandatory
A11GC Innovative Technologies and Global Water Challenges Mandatory
(course code previously D21GC)
D21RV Computer Simulation of River Flows Optional
D21EG Environmental Geotechnics Optional
D21UD Urban Drainage & Water Supply Mandatory
D21WW Water and Wastewater Treatment Mandatory
D41PE Environmental Planning Optional
D21IW Irrigation Water Management Optional
D21MS Statistical Modelling of the Environment Optional
61
D217-WTD MSc in Water Technology and Desalination
D215- WTD PG Diploma in Water Technology and Desalination
Course code Course title Standard/ Mandatory/

premium optional
D21MP Membrane Processes Premium Mandatory
D21TH Thermal and Hybrid Processes Premium Mandatory
(must complete D21MP first)
A11GC Innovative Technologies and Global Water Standard Mandatory
Challenges (course code previously D21GC)
D21WC Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings Standard Mandatory
D21DE Desalination Economics and Management Premium Mandatory
(must complete D21IP, D21MP & D21TH first)
D21IP Intake, Pre-treatment, Post-treatment and Premium Mandatory
Environmental Issues
D21WW Water and Wastewater Treatment Standard Mandatory
D21IW Irrigation Water Management Standard Optional
D21MS Statistical Modelling of the Environment (replaces Standard Optional
D21MW Marine Wastewater Discharges)
62
A11.2 Course availability and assessment details
The following table lists courses alphabetically and details the availability for study and
assessment method. Students should use this together with the structure for their
programme AND the information about coursework submission and exam diets in the
Significant Dates for HW Online students in Section A1.2 on page 3. Contact details
are included in individual course material on VISION or via People Finder
(https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/contact/people-finder.htm)
Over/
63
A11.2 COURSE AVAILABILITY & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Where course assessment is noted as 100% examination, students may be required to complete (and pass) mandatory, formative coursework. Please check
assessment details on VISION carefully. If you are unsure about the method of assessment, please contact the relevant Course Leader/Tutor.
Course title Course Course leader or HW COURSE AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT METHOD
code Online contact (T = teaching; A = assessment)
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 SEMESTER 3 Examination Coursework (CW)
(Sept – Dec) (Jan – Apr) (May – Aug)
Advanced Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures D21AR D Cotsovos T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Advanced Design of Steel and Steel Concrete Composite Structures D21AS G Vasdravellis A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Applied Building Pathology D31BR C Kennedy T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Applied Petroleum Geophysics G11GA A Shams A T&A A  
Applied Research Skills A11AR T Henry T&A A A NO EXAM 
Architectural Acoustics D11AF L Galbrun A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Architecture and Sustainability D31AS (University of Edinburgh) A T&A Not available NO EXAM 
Architecture, Construction and Industrialisation D31AI (University of Edinburgh) A T&A Not available NO EXAM 
Building and Contextual Investigation D31BX A Forster A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Building Electrical and Lighting Services D11BD M Gormley T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Cessation of Production? G11IM M Bentley A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation D11CA D Kelly T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Computer Simulation of River Flows D21RV G Wright T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Conservation Philosophy and Practice D31CN A Forster T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Construction Financial Management D31CG S Ogunlana A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Construction Technology 3 (Replaced D31TA Construction Technology) D39TA T Bayrak T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Contracts and Procurement D31PZ C Kennedy T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Data Analysis and Simulation D21DA S Patidar T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Demand Management and Energy Storage B51GK S Houston (EPS) A T&A Not available  
Desalination Economics and Management D21DE B Sen Gupta A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Design of Low Carbon Buildings D11DC A MacLaren A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Design, Value and Architecture D31DV (University of Edinburgh) A T&A Not available NO EXAM 
Development Appraisal A11DA S Kerr T&A T&A T&A  
64
A11.2 COURSE AVAILABILITY & ASSESSMENT DETAILS (continued)
Course title Course Course leader COURSE AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT METHOD

code (T = teaching; A = assessment)
Development Project A11DT K Johnston/J Porter T&A T&A T&A NO EXAM 
Diversity of Marine Organisms A11TM TBC T&A A A  
Drilling Engineering G11DE M Haghighat Sefat T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Economics of Renewable Energy A11ER TBC T&A T&A A  
Energy in the 21st Century A11EY D Woolf T&A T&A T&A  
Energy Systems and Buildings D11SB M Gul A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Environmental Design D11ED F Wang A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Environmental Geotechnics D21EG G Medero T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources D21EH A Adeloye T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Environmental Planning D41PE C Brown A T&A A  
Environmental Processes A11EN M Bell T&A T&A T&A  
Finite Element Method: Linear Analysis D21FA S Mohamed T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Finite Element Method: Nonlinear Analysis D21FB S Mohamed A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Fire Safety, Explosions and Process Safety D21FR S Patidar A T&A A  
Formation Evaluation G11FE A Shams T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Foundation Engineering D21FE I Smith A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Foundation of Energy B51ET W Gerrit-Fruh (EPS) T&A A Not available  
Geomechanics and Flow Mechanics G11GM F Doster A T&A A  
GIS for Marine and Environmental Scientists A11GI M Hartl/R Cooper A T&A A NO EXAM 
Governance, Participation and Community Planning D41GV G Netto A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Ground Engineering D21GG I Smith T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
History of the Built Environment D31HH A Forster T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Human Factor Methods D21HM G Walker T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
65

Human Factors in the Design and Evaluation of Control Rooms D21CR G Walker A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Innovation in Construction Management D30IC TBC A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Innovative Technologies and Global Water Challenges A11GC B Sen Gupta T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Intake, Pretreatment, Post-treatment and Environmental Issues D21IP B Sen Gupta A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Integration of Renewable Technology A11TI D Woolf T&A T&A T&A  
Introduction to Marine Planning A11MP K Johnson T&A T&A T&A  
Irrigation Water Management D21IW B Sen Gupta A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Learning from Disasters D21LD G Walker T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Macroeconomics Finance and the Built Environment D41ME C A Jones T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Managing the Reservoir G11OP K Stephen T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Managing the Surface G11DS A Chapoy T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Managing the Wells G11TS K Muradov A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Marine Biotechnology A11BT E Dyrynda A T&A A  
Marine Ecotoxicology A11WA M Hartl T&A A A  
Marine Energy Technology A11MT J Porter T&A T&A T&A  
Marine Environmental Monitoring A11MV T Fernandes A T&A A  
Marine Renewable Energy Technology A11MT D Woolf T&A T&A T&A  
Materials and Structures for Conservation D31MS C Kennedy A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Membrane Processes D21MP B Sen Gupta T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Modelling for Sustainable Building Design D11MD D Jenkins T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Oceanography A11OC D Woolf T&A T&A T&A  
Operations, Appraisal and Development G11OA M Bentley A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Optimising Productivity G11OS I Labed A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
66

People and Organisation Management in the Built Environment D31PO T Elhag A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Petroleum Basins G11PB U Nicholson T&A T&A A  
Petroleum Economics G11PE M Smith (temporary cover) T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Petroleum Geoscience G11PG H Lever T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Petroleum Systems G11PS T Wagner A T&A A  
Planning Theories D40PT C McWilliams T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Plastics Analysis of Structures D20DT G Vasdravellis A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Play and Prospect Evaluation G11PP U Nicholson A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Practical Skills in Marine Surveying A11VY J Porter A T&A A NO EXAM 
Producing Field Practices G11RM M Hghighat Sefat A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Production Technology G11PT K Muradov T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Project Management: Strategic Issues D31PS K Hamani A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Project Management Theory and Practice D31PT S Ogunlana T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Quantity Surveying Financial Management D31CF F Grant/H Hakim A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation 1 D41VC N Dunse T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation 2 D41VD N Dunse A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Development D40RD N Dunse A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Investment Analysis D41IA E Trevillion A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Management and Sustainability D41AN TBC A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Renewable Technology I: Generation A11TG J Porter T&A T&A T&A  
Renewable Technology Commercialisation A11RN TBC A T&A A  
Reservoir Engineering G11RE M Jamiolahmady T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Reservoir Sedimentology G11SE A Gardiner T&A T&A A  
67

Reservoir Simulation G11RS K Stephen T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Risk Assessment and Safety Management D21RA G Walker T&A A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Safety, Risk and Reliability D21SR D Val A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Social Sustainability D41SS R Woolrych A T&A A NO EXAM 
Spatial Planning D41SP J McCarthy T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Strategic Spatial Vision Project D41SZ H Smith T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Strategy and Planning G11GF M Bentley T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Statistical Modelling of the Environment D21MS S Patidar A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering D21EQ O Laghrouche T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Structural Materials D21SM B Suryanto T&A A A NO EXAM 
Sustainability for Construction Professionals D11ST A MacLaren T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Systems Reliability D21SY D Val T&A T&A T&A  
Technical Networks and Urban Resilience D41TN TBC T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Thermal and Hybrid Processes D21TH B Sen Gupta T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Thermofluids D11TH F Wang A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Tropical Coral Reef Monitoring and Management A11CR J Porter A T&A A NO EXAM 
UK and International Housing Policy D41UK M Stephens A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Urban Drainage and Water Supply D21UD S Arthur A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Urban Economy and Property Markets D41EP C Jones T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Value and Risk Management D31VR G Bowles T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Ventilation and Air Conditioning D11VE F Wang T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
68

Water and Wastewater Treatment D21WW A Adeloye A T&A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings D21WC D Campbell T&A A A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
Well Test Analysis G11WT M Jamiolahmady T&A T&A T&A  NO SUMMATIVE CW
69
PART B: UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
B1. Programme and Course Content

The content of our programmes and courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-
to-date and relevant. Individual courses are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in
response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes;
professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of
reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of changes the
University will consult and inform students in good time and will take reasonable steps to
minimise disruption.
B2. Our Values
At Heriot-Watt, we have an established set of values that help up to nurture innovation

and leadership and show our commitment to continuous development in all our activities.
They are:
 Belong to a diverse, inclusive and international community working together

across boundaries and cultures
 Inspire curiosity to learn and find solutions that transform lives
 Collaborate by working in partnership to shape the future whilst taking
responsibility for our own actions
 Celebrate excellence and take pride in the achievements of our students, staff
and alumni
Find out more about the Heriot-Watt values https://strategy2025.hw.ac.uk/our-new-

values/ and what they mean to us.
B3. Student Partnership Agreement
Heriot Watt University and the Heriot Watt University Student Representative Bodies
work in partnership to develop a Student Partnership Agreement (SPA) each year. The
Agreement identifies the main, agreed priorities for working in partnership each
academic year and outlines an associated action plan.
Heriot-Watt University has a long and proud tradition of student engagement in

institutional governance and decision-making and the Student Partnership Agreement
sets out our ambition to continue to work in partnership across all of our campus
locations, with the aim of increasing engagement with the institution, enhancing the
student experience and engendering a sense of belonging to the University community.
The Student Partnership Agreement is available here
B4. University Regulations

Heriot-Watt has a detailed set of rules that govern how the University operates, these are
the University’s Ordinances and Regulations. Ordinances are set by the Court, which is
the University’s governing body, outline how the University is governed. University
regulations provide the framework for the University’s academic work and the education
of our students and they define the policies, procedures and support outlined in the
Quick Finder Guide to Heriot-Watt University section of this Handbook.
70
B5. Your Student Portal
The Student Portal brings together your services and relevant information in one place.
Below is a summary of the services available to you via the portal:
 Office 365 suite: through single sign-on, all of your Office 365 services will be
accessible through the Portal.
 Library: whether you want to search for books or view your loans & reservations,
the Portal allows you to do this on your phone or desktop.
 Vision: your Portal will present you with announcements and tasks related to your
course.
 Student Information: all university-level regulations and policies relating to your
studies can be found on the Portal.
 Campus and School News: the Portal enables the University to promote events
and experiences which will help you develop your skills.
 Personalised: You can hide, add and move tiles on your dashboard.
 AskHWU: You can find everything you need to help you navigate your time at
HWU through the new AskHWU search tile. Ask questions of the University and
enquire directly with members of staff to get information about ID cards, student
finance, confirmation of studies letters, exams, enrolment, careers, wellbeing
services and much more.
 Appointments: Book Careers & Wellbeing appointments through your student
portal.
You can access your student portal here.
In addition to the portal you can telephone the Student Helpdesk 0131 451 8899.
B6. Quick Finder Guide to Heriot-Watt University

The following provides a guide to the support, resources, procedures and more which are
available to you during your studies. This section is arranged alphabetically under four
thematic headings:
 Learning and Teaching

This covers issues related to your academic study.
 Our Community
As a Heriot-Watt student you are part of a community where we value and draw
strength from our diversity, and from the range of different experiences which have
brought us together. This section helps you to find out about events, activities and
opportunities for you to meet new people and get to know other students.
 Supporting Success
This covers issues relating to student life in general and the support resources
available to help you.
 Developing Your Skills
It’s not just knowledge of your subject that you acquire as a student, you will develop
a range of skills that will not only help you study, but also help in everyday life. You
will also develop skills which will help you get a job and develop your career.
Clicking on the links below allows you to find relevant information on the student web pages.
Please make sure that you check myHWU the Student Portal, and the University web pages
throughout the year for the most up-to-date information.
71
Learning & Teaching
Academic Appeals
An academic appeal is a formal request by a student for the review of a decision made by
the University on the student’s progression, assessment or academic award. There are
valid and invalid grounds for an appeal. Appeals cannot be made on the basis of academic
judgment (for example, thinking that your work deserves a higher grade). You are strongly
advised to seek advice before starting an appeal, and to try and seek an informal
resolution before making a formal appeal
Assessment
Assessment is an essential part of learning at university. Make sure you are aware
of the guidelines and regulations around University assessment.
Assessment Feedback
Heriot-Watt University aims to support students in becoming confident, independent
learners; feedback is a key part of the student learning experience, as it is designed to
help students to learn and improve. It’s also important to know what to do with the
feedback when you receive it.
Assessment Results
Once your course results have been released, you will automatically be sent an email (to
your Heriot-Watt email address) to inform you that new assessment results are available
online to view/download via the Student Self-Service. Guidance is available on the
results and the grading system used by the University.
Changing Your Course

If you wish to change your course in 2020/21, you can do this online after you
complete online enrolment up until the end of the second week of the semester. To
swap a course you go to the ‘Student menu’ in self-service and select ‘Course Swap’.
There is further guidance online as you follow the process.
In 2020/21, learning, teaching and assessment will be delivered through a

combination of online and face-to-face methods as part of the University's
Responsive Blended Learning Approach. Online activities will be delivered through
Vision, the University's VLE. Prompt course registration will ensure that you are able
to participate in all online activities.
Changing Your Programme

The University recognises that students may wish to transfer to a different programme of
study and will normally allow this provided that a student’s prior study or subject
knowledge meets the entry requirements of the new programme. Transferring after year 1
may be difficult without repeating stages of study. If you are considering changing to
another Heriot-Watt programme please make sure you discuss this with your personal
tutor and see the following advice.
 Think carefully about what you want to study instead

 Access all sources of information about any alternative programme. Find out
who the programme contact is, what the entry requirements are and what
careers it might lead to. You can find out the programme contact by contacting
the School Office. Find out if you would you have to repeat a year.
 Talk to programme staff and students who are currently studying the
programme.
72
 Remember, it is not automatic that you will be allowed to transfer to a different
programme.
 If you are able to transfer, make sure you complete the correct forms and have
the appropriate approval. Your new programme leader can advise you on this.
 You may have to repeat a year on your new programme, e.g. start again at
Year 1, in which case you should check with your funding body what financial
support will be available if you do this. Repeat funding can sometimes be
offered but this will depend on your circumstances.
Examinations & Examination Diets

There are three examination diets (assessment periods): December,
April/May and the Semester 3/Resit Diet in the August.
Exam Conduct and ID Checks

Make sure you know what is required and permitted within each of your exams and
understand the University exam conduct.
Exam Timetables
Information on the exam timetable and when it will be available. Please note that exam
timetables are subject to change so check regularly – we recommend checking the
morning of each exam for any adjustments.
Exit Awards
You will receive an award if you successfully complete your programme of study, however,
if you leave the University part way through your programme, you may still have met the
required criteria for receiving a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma as an
exit award.
External Examiners Information

External Examiners ensure that students are judged fairly according to academic
standards. In addition, they ensure that that the processes for assessment, examination
and determination of awards are sound and fairly operated.
Learning and Teaching Matters

Across our campuses and global community of students, we are promoting learning and
teaching with a series of key messages to provide you with advice and information at
crucial points during your Heriot-Watt experience.
Periods of Study
The University Regulations explain the maximum time allowed to complete your
programme of study.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the ideas, writings or inventions of another person and using
these as if they were your own, whether intentionally or not. Here you can find out more
about plagiarism, how the University responds to it and guidance on how to avoid
plagiarism in your academic work. The Library also provides workshops and support
on citing and referencing to avoid plagiarism.
Reassessment
If you fail an assessment during the first or second semester of an academic year, then
you will have to sit a reassessment for that course before being able to progress. This
page contains information on reassessment procedures, how to register for reassessments
on your campus, reassessment diet dates, and information about additional reassessment
opportunities.
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Recording of Lectures
As part of the University’s Responsive Blended Learning approach, in 2020/21 learning
and teaching activities may be recorded for academic purposes. Students will have access
to these recordings for use in their studies, but must not download, access or use these
recordings for any purpose other than their studies at the University. Equally, students
must not copy or share the recordings, in whole or in part, in any way with any other party.
New and continuing students will be invited to sign up to these requirements as part of the
Student Declaration at the point of enrolment.
Requirements for Awards

Refer to the regulation(s) that are appropriate for your level of study. These regulations
explain the number of credits required to receive an award from the University.
Recognition of Prior Learning & Credit Transfer

If you have previously been in higher education, have passed courses or have
academically relevant professional experience, then this could count as credit towards
your Heriot-Watt degree. In the linked page, scroll down to ‘Recognition of Prior Learning
& Credit Transfer to view the policy and procedures relating to this, as well as other
information.
Submission of Coursework Policy

You will have a set submission deadline for each piece of coursework. This policy
explains how the deadline works.
Teaching Timetables
Use the link above to find out when and where your lectures, tutorials, or labs will be taking
place on your campus.
Use of Calculators in Examinations

Refer to the link above to find out when you can use a calculator in an examination, and
what kind of calculators are permitted.
Use of Dictionaries in Examinations

Dictionaries are generally not permitted in exams. However, the following link details the
exceptions and circumstances when a dictionary may be permitted.
Our Community
Alumni
Information on the opportunities available to students after they graduate from Heriot-Watt.
These include membership of The Watt Club (Heriot-Watt’s alumni association), how to
network and connect with other alumni, and how alumni can give back to the University
after they have left.
Armed Forces Reservists

The University has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and we are committed to
ensuring that current and former Armed Forces personnel and their families are treated
fairly. We will ensure that students who are reservists are not disadvantaged in their
studies by undertaking compulsory training and service, and this includes the
consideration of Mitigating Circumstances in assessments. You can discuss any issues
relating to your service with your personal tutor.
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Accommodation
Information about student accommodation at each of our campuses
Accommodation (Dubai Campus)
Accommodation (Edinburgh Campus)
Accommodation (Malaysia Campus)
Accommodation (Scottish Borders Campus)
Accommodation (Orkney Campus)
Faith and Belief

Heriot-Watt University respects religious and cultural diversity and aims to support
individuals in their religious and cultural observance.
Faith and Belief: Edinburgh Campus
Faith and Belief: Scottish Borders Campus
Faith and Belief: Orkney Campus
Faith and Belief: Dubai Campus
Faith and Belief: Malaysia Campus
Residence Life
Residence Life (Res Life) provide help and support for students living in University
accommodation. This can be practical help and information, help with the transition to
living in halls of residence, signposting to other sources of support and providing a
calendar of social events.
Sport and Exercise

Opportunities for a range of sport and exercise activities are available at all our campuses.
From recreational fun to competition, there’s a place in the WattFamily for everyone
regardless of sporting ability or experience. The Edinburgh campus is also home to Oriam
Scotland's Sports Performance Centre.
Sport and Exercise: Edinburgh Campus
Sport and Exercise: Scottish Borders Campus
Sport and Exercise: Orkney Campus
Sport and Exercise: Dubai Campus
Sport and Exercise: Malaysia Campus
Student Representation
All students have representative bodies for their campus who will also oversee clubs and
societies and organise events for students.
Heriot-Watt University Student Union (Edinburgh, Orkney and Scottish Borders Campuses)
All Heriot-Watt students at Scottish campuses are a member of the Student Union. In
addition to the wide range of societies, the Student Union offers volunteering opportunities
for students to get involved in and make friends and connections during their time at
university. The Union regularly hold events and host campaigns for good causes. The
Student Union can also provide advice and support for all Heriot-Watt students via the
Advice Hub .
Heriot-Watt University Dubai Student Council is the primary representative body for all
students at Dubai campus. Further details can be found on the Student Council’s
Facebook page
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Student Association represents students at Malaysia

campus, manages clubs, implements welfare projects and organises events for students.
Supporting Success
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Amendment to Enrolment
Amendments can be made to a student’s enrolment at any point during their studies. This
can include Temporary Suspension of Studies, extension of study period or amendment to
study level or method.
Assistive Technology
We have a variety of assistive technology available at Heriot-Watt University. Our
Technology Assistant is here to help you with the enabling technology that we have and
can assist you with any queries or support needs.
Assistive Technology at Edinburgh Campus

Assistive Technology at Scottish Borders Campus
Assistive Technology at Orkney Campus
Assistive Technology at Dubai Campus
Assistive Technology at Malaysia Campus
Attendance and Absence

It is extremely important that you keep the University informed if you are unable to attend
classes. Absence may affect your academic progress, so you should discuss with your
personal tutor whether you may need to temporarily suspend your studies or apply for
Mitigating Circumstances. If you are unable to attend an exam or complete an assessment
due to an unforeseen absence beyond your control, such as significant illness, you will
need to make an application for consideration of Mitigating Circumstances in writing with
supporting evidence.
Big White Wall

Big White Wall is an online support resource 24 hours a day every day which you can sign
up to with your university email address then choose an anonymous username for your
time on Big White Wall. You can use Big White Wall for help with a wide range of mental
health and wellbeing issues.
Care Experienced Students

We recognise that students with care experience are under-represented in higher
education and are committed to offering support for you to study at Heriot -Watt. We
can provide access to the advice, guidance, financial support and accommodation
required to help you succeed at university. We offer a named point of contact and
support within the University,
Caring Responsibilities
Heriot-Watt University is committed to supporting students who are carers. A carer is
anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a
mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.
Change of Address
For legal, academic and administrative purposes it is very important that the information
the University holds about you is correct and up to date, including your address details.
You can check and amend your personal information by logging in to Student Self Service.
Childcare
There is a nursery based at Edinburgh campus run by an independent company called
Pinocchio’s. At Scottish Borders there is no on-campus nursery, however Osito Nursery is
close to the campus. You are advised to ensure that any nursery or childminder you use is
registered with the Care Commission. Information about childcare provision in your area is
76
available from the Scottish Family Information Service You may be eligible for help with
childcare fees through the Childcare Fund. Students wishing to apply must be home
students who are fulltime, undergraduate and eligible for student loan support. Students
must have applied for the maximum student loan available.
Complaints
If for any reason you are unhappy with action taken (or not taken) by the University, or by
the standard of service you have received, you may be able to make a formal complaint
using the University’s Complaints Procedure.
Counselling
Being a student can be a very positive experience but there are also many challenges to
deal with such as being away from home, being in a new country, exam pressures and
building new relationships with friends. If you are worried about any issue or are thinking
about dropping out of University, we can offer you counselling, support, and information to
help you deal with the difficulties you may face. It may be that you only need one
appointment but can attend more if you wish
Data Protection
Information about how the University uses and protects data.
Disability Support
The Disability Service provides support for students with a range of disabilities (dyslexia
and other specific learning difficulties, sensory impairment, mental health, medical and
physical health conditions, Autistic Spectrum Condition). Let us know if you have a
disability and we’ll arrange an appointment. We also offer advice and screening if you think
that you may have a disability. You may be eligible for additional funding from the Disabled
Students Allowance. Drop-in times and contact details are available via the link above.
Discipline
The University can take action against any student if they have committed an academic
offence (such as plagiarism, collusion or cheating in an exam) or a non-academic offense
such as improper use of, or damage to, university property, or unacceptable behaviour.
Discretionary Credit
A student who has not achieved the minimum number of credit points necessary to qualify
for consideration of an award or the minimum number of credit points to progress from one
stage to another may be awarded the requisite credit points at the discretion of the Award
Board or Progression Board, as appropriate.
Effective Learning Service

Our global team of Effective Learning Advisers can provide advice and guidance on study
skills for University work e.g. academic writing, study strategies, managing your time and
effective group working.
Email
Make sure you keep checking your Heriot-Watt email at least every day and use it if you
need to contact the University. Sometimes mail from personal e-mail addresses is blocked
by the University’s IT systems, so use your Heriot-Watt e-mail to be sure your message
gets through to us. Essential messages and information will also be available via myHWU
the Student Portal.
Enrolment
Enrolment is the formal process of becoming a student of the University, agreeing to abide
by its rules and accepting any liability for fees or other costs associated with your studies.
All new and continuing students must be enrolled while studying at Heriot Watt University.
The enrolment process must be completed online at the start of each new academic year.
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Equality and Diversity
As well as meeting our legal requirements we make sure that people across the University
Community understand how they contribute to a Culture of Inclusion for All. This holistic
approach helps us maintain an open and accessible working, living and learning
environment where all are supported to reach their full potential.
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ enables you to study or work in Europe as part of your degree programme,
usually for a full academic year. At Heriot Watt students have the opportunity to study at a
wide range of institutions in Europe.
Estranged Students
An estranged student is "someone who no longer has the support of their family due to
a breakdown in their relationship which has led to ceased contact. This might mean
biological or adoptive parents or wider family members who have been responsible
for supporting a student in the past". We recognise that estrangement causes
particular challenges to students and the University is able to provide a range of
support. If this applies to you, please get in contact.
Exchanges
An exchange can be arranged with an institution abroad. This can be arranged with your
school Exchange Coordinator but it is the responsibility of the student to complete the
application for that institution.
Failing a course
Failing a course may be a setback, but it is not necessarily a disastrous one. Students who
have failed can go on to pass resits and still graduate with a good degree. If you fail a
course it is important you discuss this with your personal tutor in the first instance. Your
personal tutor will be able to offer advice on how to obtain detailed feedback and suggest
sources of support.
Go Global
Go Global is the University’s inter-campus transfer opportunity and offers students the
opportunity to study at a different Heriot-Watt campus.
Graduate Attributes
Through your experience at Heriot-Watt University you will develop the skills and qualities
of the four graduate attributes: specialist, creative, professional and global.
Graduation
All the information you need to apply for and attend your graduation ceremony.
Guide to Student Life

This A to Z guide, also available via the Student Portal, is another way you can access
essential information on a range of issues you may encounter.
Harassment and Bullying

Heriot-Watt University is committed to a working, learning and living environment that is
free of discrimination and intimidation. If you feel that you are being bullied or harassed, in
person or online, please talk to your personal tutor, or to Student Wellbeing.
Health and Wellbeing

During your time at University it is important to look after yourself and use the resources
available to help you with this, including Wellbeing Services, and medical and dental
services.
Library Essentials
Library essentials covers how to navigate the library service across campuses at the
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University. If you need to borrow a book or book out a study space this can be accessed
from the library essentials webpage.
Library Resources for your Subject

There is an Academic Support & Liaison Librarians supporting your subject or School.
Together with Library staff at Malaysia and Dubai campuses they can provide advice and
guidance on library resources and developing your information skills. See also the online
subject guides for information about books, journals and online resources for each subject
area.
Managing Your Money

As a student you will find there is a lot to think about financially. For some of you, studying
at university will be the first time you have had to manage your money and keep your
expenditure within a fixed budget. Advice and support on money matters is available at all
Heriot-Watt campuses.
Maternity and Paternity

The University has a set of published guidelines to ensure that students who become
pregnant during their studies know where to seek advice and support, including on matters
such as returning to study following a period of maternity leave and on requests for shared
leave or paternity leave.
Mental Health
If you experience a mental health difficulty while at the University, or have a pre-existing
mental health condition, you can discuss any issues and concerns with a professional
counsellor or Student Advisor
Mitigating Circumstances
There are circumstances which, through no fault of your own, may have affected your
performance in an assessment (exams or other assessment), meaning that the
assessment has not accurately measured your ability. These circumstances are described
as ‘mitigating circumstances'. You can submit an application to have mitigating
circumstances taken into account.
Next Steps: Post result help

Next Steps is a simple guide that can help you after you have received your course
assessment results. The guide has information about importance of obtaining feedback
from your assessments, and how to reflect and act on feedback to ensure you are more
successful in your studies.
People Finder
Find a key person on campus by using People Finder
Sexual Misconduct
The University is committed to providing a safe environment that allows you to work, study,
and fulfil your potential without fear of sexual misconduct and has a policy to combat
sexual misconduct.
Software
You can access a range of IT software provided by the University to help in your studies.
Student Success Advisors

Nobody knows the challenges of being a Heriot-Watt student better than those who have
been through it all themselves. With the benefit of recent experience and successful study
at Heriot-Watt, the Student Success Advisors will be able to offer advice to students based
on their own experiences. They will also have an overview of the other support resources
79
available at Heriot-Watt and point you in the right direction if you need it.
Student Service Centre

The Student Service Centre offers help and support relating to matters on enrolment,
examinations, paying tuition fees, graduation, as well as advice for students holding a visa.
Dubai Campus
Edinburgh Campus
Malaysia Campus
Student Fees, Funding and Additional Charges

The University can give you advice about paying your tuition fees as well as information on
scholarships and bursaries, and other means of financial support.
Student Policies and Guidance

Our list of student policies can give you information on University regulations and guidance
relating to issues including attendance, mitigating circumstances, mental health, and
programme transfer.
Student Surveys
Feedback from students is extremely important as it allows the University to further
improve and enhance what it offers to students. Surveys give students the opportunity to
feedback their thoughts and opinions to the University.
Temporary Suspension of Studies

In certain situations, it may be in a student’s best interests for them to suspend their
studies temporarily to enable them to deal with particular issues and return at an agreed
date. A Temporary Suspension of Studies (TSS) can be applied for and approved on the
basis of genuine medical, personal, financial reasons or military service.
Thinking of Leaving
If you are thinking about leaving university for whatever reason please talk through your
decision with a member of staff at the university. Many students think about leaving
university at some stage during their studies. If anything is bothering you or you are
thinking about leaving, you can come along to a drop in to speak to a member of support
staff to explore and understand all of your options.
Visa Advice
Advice on visa requirements for studying at Heriot-Watt is available at all our campuses.
Visa Advice: UK Campuses

Visa Advice: Dubai Campus
Visa Advice: Malaysia Campus
Virtual Learning Environment (Vision)

Vision is Heriot-Watt’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and is a vital learning and
communication tool for you and your lecturers, so make sure you log in and check Vision
every day. A Student Guide to VISION can be found here.
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Developing Your Skills
Careers
Careers advice and guidance is available to all students and recent graduates to help:
 Develop your employability skills
 Identify your potential career options
 Help you to find work experience/part time work
 Market yourself to employers
Careers: UK Campuses
Careers: Dubai Campus, contact Benita Maben, Careers Advisor, [email protected]
Careers: Malaysia Campus, contact [email protected]
Career Mentoring
Career Mentoring can connect a student with a professional working in a student’s area of
interest. The programme gives students an opportunity to gain an insight into what it is like
working in a certain field. A mentor will also be able to support a student with their long-
term career planning. This programme is mostly aimed at students in their penultimate
year, however all students are welcome to apply.
Enhanced Transcript
An Enhanced Transcript is a formal University document which will include not only details
of your award and grades, but also a range of academic and extra-curricular activities
undertaken whilst at University. The Transcript is designed to help you to maximise your
employability as it records your University achievements in one document which you can
share with prospective employers and postgraduate recruiters.
LinkedIn Learning
As a Heriot-Watt student, you have full, free access to LinkedIn Learning. The platform
hosts over 12,000 digital courses on business, creative and technology topics. These
courses are broken into bitesize sections, making it easy to focus on developing the skills
you need.
Maths Gym
The Maths Gym is a cross-campus initiative aimed at supporting all HW students, from any
subject, to strengthen their mathematical or statistical skills and gain confidence in
applying these skills. We provide support through a variety of activities including:
 drop-in sessions
 one-to-one or small group appointments
 workshops.
Whether you want to brush up on basic skills or need help to understand new material
from your course, the Maths Gym is there to help you.
Skills Development
Studying at university gives you the opportunity to learn new skills or build on existing skills
you already have. Information Services provide many workshops and resources to help
you gain or develop the skills you will need to have a successful time at university.
Study Spaces
Heriot-Watt provide a large number of modern and contemporary study spaces for both
individuals and groups in convenient locations. Some of these spaces are open late, and
offer IT access as well as food and drink.
Volunteering
Volunteering offers you the opportunity to develop your skills and experience while helping
your fellow students, your community or a charitable organisation. There are numerous
81
opportunities for volunteering within and outside the University. The Careers service also
provide advice on volunteering. Your experience as a volunteer can be logged and
evidenced, and help enhance your employability.
82
APPENDIX A
Heriot-Watt University: Student Guide to Plagiarism, October 2005, (updated Jan 2006, June 2007, April 2008, Feb 2017)
STUDENT GUIDE TO PLAGIARISM 1
Plagiarism is intellectual theft and is a major offence which the University takes
seriously in all cases. Students must therefore avoid committing acts of plagiarism
by following these guidelines and speaking to academic staff if they are uncertain
about what plagiarism means. Those who are found to have plagiarised will be
subject to the University’s disciplinary procedures, which may result in penalties
ranging from the deduction of credits and courses already achieved by students to
compulsory termination of studies. Students are advised to refer to Regulation 50 at
http://www.hw.ac.uk/ordinances/regulations.pdf and to the Guidelines for Staff and
Students on Discipline at https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/record/discipline.htm
for further details of how the University deals with all acts of plagiarism.
1. Introduction
1.1. This guide is intended to provide students at Heriot-Watt University with a clear definition of
plagiarism and examples of how to avoid it.
1.2. The guide may also be of use to members of staff who seek to advise students on the various issues
outlined below.
2. Definition
2.1 Plagiarism involves the act of taking the ideas, writings or inventions of another person and using
these as if they were one’s own, whether intentionally or not. Plagiarism occurs where there is no
acknowledgement that the writings or ideas belong to or have come from another source.
2.2 Most academic writing involves building on the work of others and this is acceptable as long as their
contribution is identified and fully acknowledged. It is not wrong in itself to use the ideas, writings or
inventions of others, provided that whoever does so is honest about acknowledging the source of
that information. Many aspects of plagiarism can be simply avoided through proper referencing.
However, plagiarism extends beyond minor errors in referencing the work of others and also includes
the reproduction of an entire paper or passage of work or of the ideas and views contained in such
pieces of work.
3. Good Practice
3.1 Academic work is almost always drawn from other published information supplemented by the
writer’s own ideas, results or findings. Thus drawing from other work is entirely acceptable, but it is
unacceptable not to acknowledge such work. Conventions or methods for making
acknowledgements can vary slightly from subject to subject, and students should seek the advice of
staff in their own School about ways of doing this. Generally, referencing systems fall into the
Harvard (where the text citation is by author and date) and numeric (where the text citation is by
using a number). Both systems refer readers to a list at the end of the piece of work where sufficient
information is provided to enable the reader to locate the source for themselves.
3.2 When a student undertakes a piece of work that involves drawing on the writings or ideas of others,
they must ensure that they acknowledge each contribution in the following manner:
 Citations: when a direct quotation, a figure, a general idea or other piece of information is taken
from another source, the work and its source must be acknowledged and identified where it
occurs in the text;
 Quotations: inverted commas must always be used to identify direct quotations, and the source
of the quotation must be cited;
1
The author acknowledges the following sources of information used in preparing this guide to Plagiarism:
“Plagiarism – A Good Practice Guide”, Carroll, J and Appleton, J (2001) and various extracts from Student/Course Handbooks 2004/2005,
Schools at Heriot-Watt University
83
APPENDIX A
 References: the full details of all references and other sources must be listed in a section at the
end of any piece of work, such as an essay, together with the full publication details. This is
normally referred to as a “List of References” and it must include details of any and all sources
of information that the student has referred to in producing their work. (This is slightly different to
a Bibliography, which may also contain references and sources which, although not directly
referred to in your work, you consulted in producing your work).
3.3 Students may wish to refer to the following examples which illustrate the basic principles of
plagiarism and how students might avoid it in their work by using some very simple techniques:
3.3.1 Example 1: A Clear Case of Plagiarism
Examine the following example in which a student has simply inserted a passage of text (in
italics) into their work directly from a book they have read:
University and college managers should consider implementing strategic frameworks if

they wish to embrace good management standards. One of the key problems in setting a
strategic framework for a college or university is that the individual institution has both
positive and negative constraints placed upon its freedom of action. Managers are
employed to resolve these issues effectively.
This is an example of bad practice as the student makes no attempt to distinguish the passage
they have inserted from their own work. Thus, this constitutes a clear case of plagiarism.
Simply changing a few key words in such a passage of text (e.g. replace ‘problems’ with
‘difficulties’) does not make it the student’s work and it is still considered to be an act of
plagiarism.
3.3.2 Common Mistakes
Students may also find the following examples2 of common plagiarism mistakes made by
other students useful when reflecting on their own work:
 “I thought it would be okay as long as I included the source in my bibliography” [without

indicating a quotation had been used in the text]
 “I made lots of notes for my essay and couldn't remember where I found the information”
 “I thought it would be okay to use material that I had purchased online”
 “I thought it would be okay to copy the text if I changed some of the words into my own”
 “I thought that plagiarism only applied to essays, I didn't know that it also applies to oral
presentations/group projects etc”
 “I thought it would be okay just to use my tutor's notes”
 “I didn't think that you needed to reference material found on the web”
 “I left it too late and just didn't have time to reference my sources”
None of the above are acceptable reasons for failing to acknowledge the use of others’ work
and thereby constitute plagiarism.
3.4 What follows are examples of the measures that students should employ in order to correctly cite the
words, thought or ideas of others that have influenced their work:
3.4.1 Example 2: Quoting the work of others
If a student wishes to cite a passage of text in order to support their own work, the correct way
of doing so is to use quotation marks (e.g. “ “) to show that the passage is someone else’s
work, as follows:
“One of the key problems in setting a strategic framework for a college or university is that
the individual institution has both positive and negative constraints placed upon its
freedom of action”.
2
Extract from ‘Plagiarism at the University of Essex’ advice copyrighted and published by the Learning, Teaching and Quality Unit at the
University of Essex (http://www.essex.ac.uk/plagiarism/reasons.html ), reproduced with kind permission.
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APPENDIX A
3.4.2 Example 3: Referencing the work of others
In addition to using quotation marks as above, students must also use a text citation. If the
work being cited is a book, page numbers would also normally be required. Thus, using the
Harvard system for a book:
freedom of action” (Jones, 2001, p121).
The same reference could also be made to a book using the numeric system:
freedom of action” (Ref.1, p121).
More often, a piece of work will have multiple references and this serves to show an examiner
that the student is drawing from a number of sources. For example, articles by Brown and by
Smith may be cited as follows in the Harvard system
“It has been asserted that Higher Education in the United Kingdom continued to be poorly
funded during the 1980’s [Brown, 1991], whereas more modern writers [Smith, 2002] argue
that the HE sector actually received, in real terms, more funding during this period than the
thirty year period immediately preceding it”.
or as follows using the numeric system:
“It has been asserted that Higher Education in the United Kingdom continued to be poorly
funded during the 1980’s [Ref 1], whereas more modern writers [Ref 2] argue that the HE
sector actually received, in real terms, more funding during this period than the thirty year
period immediately preceding it”.
3.4.3 Example 4: Use of reference lists
Whichever system is used, a list must be included at the end, which allows the reader to
locate the works cited for themselves. The Internet is also an increasingly popular source of
information for students and details must again be provided. You should adhere to the
following guidelines in all cases where you reference the work of others:
If the source is a book, the required information is as follows:
 Author’s name(s)  Publishers Name

 Year of Publication  All Page Numbers cited
 Title of Book  Edition (if more than one, e.g. 3rd
 Place of Publication edition, 2001)
If the source is an article in a journal or periodical, the required information is as follows:
 Author’s name(s)  Volume and part number

 Year of Publication  Page numbers for the article
 Title of Journal
If the source is from the Internet, the required information is as follows:
 Author’s or Institution’s name  Full URL (e.g. http://www.lib.utk.edu

(“Anon”, if not known) /instruction/plagiarism/)
 Title of Document  Affiliation of author, if given (e.g.
 Date last accessed by student University of Tennessee)
85
APPENDIX A
The way in which the information is organised can vary, and there are some types of work (for
example edited volumes and conference proceedings) where the required information is slightly
different. Essentially, though, it is your responsibility to make it clear where you are citing references
within your work and what the source is within your reference list. Failure to do so is an act of
plagiarism.
3.5 Students are encouraged to use a style of acknowledgement that is appropriate to their own
academic discipline and should seek advice from their personal tutor, course leader or other
appropriate member of academic staff. There are also many reference sources available in the
University Library which will provide useful guidance on referencing styles.
4. Managing Plagiarism
4.1 Students, supervisors and institutions have a joint role in ensuring that plagiarism is avoided in all
areas of academic activity. Each role is outlined below as follows:
How you can ensure that you avoid plagiarism in your work:
 Take responsibility for applying the above principles of best practice and integrity within all of
your work
 Be aware that your written work will be checked for plagiarism and that all incidents of
plagiarism, if found, are likely to result in severe disciplinary action by the University. The
standard penalty is to annul all assessments taken in the same diet of examinations (for details
please refer to Regulation 50 at http://www.hw.ac.uk/ordinances/regulations.pdf and to the
Guidelines for Staff and Students on Discipline at
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/record/discipline.htm).
How your School will help you to avoid plagiarism:
 Highlight written guidance on how you can avoid plagiarism and provide you with
supplementary, verbal guidance wherever appropriate
 Regularly check student work to ensure that plagiarism has not taken place. This may involve
both manual and electronic methods of checking. A number of plagiarism detection packages
are in use at Heriot-Watt University, one example being the Joint Information Systems
Committee (JISC) “TurnitIn” plagiarism detection software. See
https://www.hw.ac.uk/is/turnitin.htm for more information on how this software package works.
 Alert you to the procedures that will apply should you be found to have committed or be
suspected of having committed an act of plagiarism and explain how further action will be taken
in accordance with University policy and procedures.
How the University will endeavour to reduce student plagiarism:
 Provide clear written guidance on what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it directly to your
School and to you
 Alert you and staff in your School to the penalties employed when dealing with plagiarism cases
 Take steps to ensure that a consistent approach is applied when dealing with cases of
suspected plagiarism across the institution
 Take the issue of academic dishonesty very seriously and routinely investigate cases where
students have plagiarised and apply appropriate penalties in all proven cases.
86

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What are the significant dates for HW Online students?

What are the significant dates for HW Online students?

How does HW Online course study work?

How does HW Online course study work?

Heriot-Watt Online (HW Online)

Student Handbook 2020/21

A1 SUMMARY OF INFORMATION………………………………………………………………….. 3-6

A2 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………. 7

A3 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY AND

A4 HOW HW ONLINE COURSE STUDY WORKS................................................................... 10 - 11

A8 RESEARCH DISSERTATION / RESEARCH PROJECTS / MASTERS DISSERTATION / FIELD

A10 FURTHER SCHOOL INFORMATION…………………………………………………………….. 31 - 32

PART B – UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

B1. Programme and Course Content

B2. Our Values

B3. Student Partnership Agreement

B4. University Regulations

B5. Your Student Portal (myHWU)  PLEASE READ!!

APPENDIX A - STUDENT GUIDE TO PLAGIARISM  PLEASE READ!!

A1 SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION

A1.1 SIGNIFICANT DATES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR

ON CAMPUS TERM SESSION DATES 2020/21

BLOCK 2 TEACHING (12 WEEKS) 11 JANUARY – 2 APRIL 2021*

GRADUATION (Edinburgh Campus) 22 – 25 June 2021 (dates to be confirmed)

SEMESTER 3/RE-ASSESSMENT 2 AUGUST – 13 AUGUST 2021

GRADUATION 16 – 17 November 2021 (dates to be

Please see the next page for

HW Online - Programme entry dates

HW Online - Course Application deadlines for new and continuing students

HW Online – Exam deadlines:

Coursework Submission Dates

Dissertation/Project Submission Dates (full information can be found in Section A8)

A1.3 LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION/SERVICES

Marine Renewable Energy Dr David Woolf 852259 [email protected]

Programme title (MSc/PG Programme Leader Phone Email address

* Carbon and Energy Dr David Campbell 4618 [email protected]

THE URBAN INSTITUTE (see next page):

Programme title (MSc/PG Programme Leader Phone Email address

STUDENT SERVICE CENTRE [email protected]

EGIS RESOURCE CENTRE Ms Isabel Seymour 4651 [email protected]

Professor Richard A. Williams OBE

A2.2 COVID-19 and Responsive Blended Learning

Our approach is called Responsive Blended Learning (RBL).

As campuses reopen, there will be increasing opportunities for on-campus teaching

Professor T. Malcolm Chrisp

A3 General Information about Heriot-Watt University and the School

The University web address is www.hw.ac.uk

The School web address is www.hw.ac.uk/egis

A3.3 General aims

To provide an academically sound and vocationally relevant postgraduate education for

3. Complete online enrolment for the current academic year.

5. Access course material on VISION and begin studying.

6. Complete exam registration using the online system by the deadline.

7. Complete course assessment:

9. Depending on progression decision, continue with further courses or dissertation/project.

Further important sections to read / Dissertations/Projects - next page/

And in Part B of this handbook: APPENDIX A - STUDENT GUIDE TO PLAGIARISM

Type of Award being studied Maximum Period