Heriot-Watt University is proud to offer the Travel Home Bursary, a £1,500 award designed to support undergraduate students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (RUK fee status) who are beginning their studies in September 2022 onwards. This bursary, available in the first year of study including direct entrants to Year 2 or 3, aims to ease the cost of travelling home during term breaks and is awarded automatically to eligible students.
Heriot-Watt University traces its origins back to 1821 when it was founded in Edinburgh as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world’s first mechanics’ institute, aimed at providing practical education for working people. It was later named after the Scottish inventor James Watt and philanthropist George Heriot. Over time, it grew into a leading university with a strong focus on science, engineering, business, and design. Today, Heriot-Watt has campuses in Scotland, Dubai, and Malaysia, and is recognised internationally for its research, innovation, and global outlook.
Table of Briefs
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Travel Home Bursary |
| Provider | Heriot-Watt University |
| Award Value | £1,500 (paid in three instalments of £500) |
| Eligibility | Undergraduate students from England, Wales, or Northern Ireland (RUK fee status) |
| Level of Study | First-year undergraduate (including direct entrants to Year 2 or 3) |
| Application | No separate application required – awarded automatically |
| Payment Dates | October, February, and April |
| Duration | One year only (first year of study) |
Background
Heriot-Watt University recognises that starting university often means moving away from home for the first time, which can be both exciting and challenging. For students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, studying in Scotland involves additional travel costs that may place extra financial strain on families. To ease this transition, the university introduced the Travel Home Bursary, offering £1,500 in the first year of study.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Travel Home Bursary, students must:
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Be a new undergraduate student beginning their studies in September 2022 onwards at Heriot-Watt University.
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Hold a Rest of UK (RUK) fee status, meaning they are from England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
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Be in their first year of study, including direct entrants to Year 2 or Year 3.
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Have applied for tuition or maintenance loans via the Student Loan Company (SLC), and ensure that parental information is shared with the university.
Benefits
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Award Amount: £1,500 (non-repayable grant).
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Payment Schedule: Paid in three instalments of £500 – October, February, and April.
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Purpose: To support students with travel costs, allowing them to return home during the academic year.
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Conditions:
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If a student withdraws, any overpaid bursary must be repaid on a pro-rata basis.
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The bursary applies only to the first year of study.
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Application Process
The process is simple and automatic:
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No separate application is required.
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Students must apply for a tuition or maintenance loan via the Student Loan Company (SLC) to establish eligibility.
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Parents or sponsors must give consent to share financial information with Heriot-Watt University to ensure bursary payment can be processed.
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Once eligibility is confirmed, payments will be arranged automatically through the SLC.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: Open
Conclusion
The Travel Home Bursary from Heriot-Watt University is a thoughtful initiative that helps students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland ease the transition of living away from home. With an award that is automatic and hassle-free, it ensures that finances don’t become a barrier to staying connected with loved ones during the first year of university life. For students planning to study at Heriot-Watt, this bursary is a valuable support that complements academic and personal growth.