As a current MACS student, this website will provide you with useful information at each stage of your journey with us.
MACS School Office
The MACS School Office is now closed. Student enquiries can be dealt with in person at the Student Service Centre in the Hugh Nisbet Building, from 7 September 2020. You can also log enquiries on the Student Portal, “Ask HWU”. The University is also operating a Student Help Line on 0131 451 8899.
Enrolment
Each academic year you will be required to enrol online. This can be done through Student Self Service. The enrolment page provides additional information about the enrolment process and key dates. New students will be provided with information on how to enrol for the first time.
Student Handbook
The student handbooks contain a lot of information about your studies, please familiarise yourself with its contents. Specific programme handbooks can be found on the programme information pages.
Personal Tutors
Every student has a member of academic staff allocated to them as a Personal Tutor who will be a key source of advice, guidance and support during your time at Heriot-Watt. Your personal tutor is your first point of contact if you need advice on any issue, both academic and non-academic, and can refer you to other support services where relevant for non-academic matters. Personal tutors provide a clear point of contact for you throughout your degree.
You will be able to see who is your Personal Tutor through your Student Portal. If this information is not there, please log an enquiry in MyHWU.
Programmes and Courses
You can find further detail about your programme and courses on the Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes pages within each Department.
AMS Programmes and Courses | CS Programmes and Courses | Maths Programmes and Courses
Programme Specifications includes details of Programme Structure, Notes and Description which gives details on Progression & Award Criteria, Re-assessment Opportunities and Leaning Outcomes for current and earlier programmes.
Timetables
Timetable information for your programme can be found on each programme information page. The online timetables allow you to see live student group, course and room timetables. Log in using your University user name and password.
Course Materials
Canvas is Heriot-Watt University’s Virtual Learning Environment where you will be able to access your learning materials and coursework assignments. Log in using your University user name and password.
Academic Study Skills
Information on Academic Study Skills includes useful advice and resources to help you develop the skills you will need to be successful at University and beyond.
Coursework Submission
The University recognises that, on occasion, students may be unable to submit coursework and dissertations by the submission date. As such, the University has agreed a new policy from 2018/19 which states:
- No individual extensions are permitted under any circumstances (see exceptions listed below)
- Standard 30% deduction from the mark awarded (maximum of five working days);
In the case where you submit coursework up to five working days late and you have valid mitigating circumstances, the mitigating circumstances policy will apply and appropriate mitigation will be applied. The mitigating circumstances policy can be found here.
Formative feedback will be provided on all coursework submitted up to five working days late.
Any coursework submitted after five working days of the set submission date shall be automatically awarded a no grade with no formative feedback provided.
There will be no extensions granted to coursework (this includes undergraduate and postgraduate taught dissertations).
The full policy can be found here
Exceptions:
- Individual reasonable adjustments (coursework) must be considered. Outside of previously agreed reasonable adjustments, students must follow the coursework deadlines of each course.
- There is an exemption for course coordinators who decide to give an extension to an entire class in exceptional circumstances.
- Midterm class-based tests, webtests, presentations or other-time limited activities are exempt from this policy.
This policy is intended to ensure equity and fairness for all students.
Examinations
Students in Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia can check their examination timetables online. The Heriot-Watt website provides further information about examinations. When assessment results have been released you will receive an email notification and can access your results through Student Self Service. If you have any circumstances which may have affected your examination performance please view our Mitigating Circumstances Policy.
Communication
Important communication will be sent to your Heriot-Watt University Email Account and specific course communication may be issued through announcements on Canvas. It is important you check both regularly. Please ensure your contact details are kept up to date using Student Self Service. The contact details of key staff members can be found in the MACS Staff Directory.
Graduation
Your graduation ceremony is a special and significant day and an opportunity to celebrate all that you have achieved. There is more useful information on the Graduation Page.
Thinking of Leaving
If you are considering leaving the University, please consult our Thinking Of Leaving web pages for help and advice. You should also speak to your Personal Tutor.