IDL D Prog Handbook - 201617 Version II 120916

Heriot-Watt University is a registered charity in Scotland, SC026900
School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
Independent Distance Learning

Student Handbook 2016/17
Version 1: 10 August 2016 Version 2: 12 September 2016
For the following programmes, please refer to the relevant programme specific handbook:
MSc/PG Diploma in Petroleum Engineering
MSc/PG Diploma in Food Science, Safety and Health
MSc/PG Diploma in Marine Renewable Energy
MSc/PG Diploma in Renewable Energy Development
PAGE NO.
PART A - SCHOOL INFORMATION
1 SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 3

1.1 Significant dates in the academic year......................................................................... 3
1.2 Significant dates for distance learning students........................................ . 4
1.3 Links to further information/services............................................................................. 4
1.4 Key staff and contact details..................................................................................... 5-6
2 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. .. 7

2.1 Welcome from the Principal........................................................................................... 7
2.2 Welcome from the Head of School................................................................................ 7
3 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY AND

THE SCHOOL ............................................................................................................. 8
3.1 Heriot-Watt University.................................................................................................... 8
3.2 School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Energy............................................... 8
3.3 General aims.................................................................................................................. 8
4 HOW DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE STUDY WORKS........................................ ....... 9
5 ENROLMENT .......................................................................................................................... 10
5.1 Period of study.............................................................................................................. 10
5.2 How to enrol............................................................................................................. . 11
5.2.1 Online enrolment. 11
5.2.2 Course Application and (if appropriate) Examination Application..................... 12
5.2.3 Tuition fees for 2016/17.................................................................................... 13
5.2.4 Examination fees for 2016/17........................................................................... 14
5.2.5 Methods of payment for tuition fees and (if appropriate) exam fees................. 15
5.2.6 Matriculation/registration card........................................................................... 16
5.3 How to enrol for further courses............................................................................... ..... 16
5.4 Access to course material via VISION........................................................................... 16
5.5 Text books...................................................................................................................... 16
5.6 Amendments to enrolment............................................................................................. 16
5.6.1 Temporary suspension of studies..................................................................... 16
5.6.2 Extension to period of study.............................................................................. 16
5.6.3 Withdrawal from a programme ......................................................................... 17
5.6.4 Programme transfer........................................................................................... 17
5.7 Change of address.......................................................................................................... 17
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6 COURSE STUDY ............................................................................................................. 18
6.1 Programme structure..................................................................................................... 18
6.2 Course descriptors........................................................................................................ 18
6.3 Communication with Course or Programme Leaders................................................... 18
7 ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESSION ................................................................................... 19

7.1 Assessment.................................................................................................................. 19
7.2 Access to coursework questions.................................................................................. 19
7.3 Submission of coursework........................................................................................... 19 - 20
7.3.1 Return of coursework feedback to students.................................................... 20
7.4 Examinations and examination diets........................................................................... 20
7.5 Access to past exam papers.................................................................................... 20
7.6 Applying for exams...................................................................................................... 20
7.7 Students with special needs........................................................................................ 21
7.8 Progression.................................................................................................................. 21
7.9 Exam boards and results............................................................................................. 22
7.10 Re-assessment............................................................................................................ 22
7.11 Mitigating Circumstances............................................................................................. 22 - 23
8 RESEARCH DISSERTATION / RESEARCH PROJECTS /

MASTERS DISSERTATION..... 24
8.1 Research Dissertation.............................................................................................. ... 25
8.2 Research Projects......................................................................................... 26
8.3 Masters Dissertation.................................................................................................... 27
9 GRADUATION ........................................................................................................................ 28
10 FURTHER SCHOOL INFORMATION ................................................................................. 28

10.1 School Resource Centre............................................................................................... 28
10.2 University Library.......................................................................................................... 28
10.3 Computing facilities....................................................................................................... 28
10.4 Course and programme feedback questionnaires........................................................ 28
10.5 Health and Safety Policy Statement.............................................................................. 29
11 PROGRAMME STRUCTURES, COURSE AVAILABILITY AND ASSESSMENT
DETAILS..................................................................................... 30
11.1 Programme structures.................................................................................................. 30 - 59
11.2 Course availability and assessment............................................................................. 60 - 64
PART B UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
B1 UNIVERSITY POLICY AND GUIDANCE
B2 ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS
B3 QUICK FINDER GUIGE TO ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES
B4 QUICK FINDER GUIDE TO STUDENT ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
APPENDIX A - STUDENT LEARNING CODE OF PRACTICE - For Independent Learners

APPENDIX B - STUDENT GUIDE TO PLAGIARISM
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PART A SCHOOL INFORMATION
1 SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION
1.1 SIGNIFICANT DATES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR
ON CAMPUS TERM SESSION DATES 2016/17

SEMESTER 1
BLOCK 1 TEACHING (12 WEEKS) 12 SEPTEMBER - 2 DECEMBER 2016
BLOCK 1 EXAM DIET (2 WEEKS) 5 DECEMBER - 18 DECEMBER 2016
BREAK 1 (3 WEEKS) 19 DECEMBER 2016 - 6 JANUARY 2017
SEMESTER 2
BLOCK 2 TEACHING (12 WEEKS) 9 JANUARY - 31 MARCH 2017

BREAK 2 (3 WEEKS) 3 APRIL - 21 APRIL 2017
includes public holidays:
Good Friday 14 April and
Easter Monday 17 April)
BLOCK 2 EXAM DIET (4 WEEKS) PG & UG FINAL YEAR:
24 APRIL - 5 MAY 2017
UG YEARS 1 TO 3:
8 MAY - 19 MAY 2017
GRADUATION 20 - 23 JUNE 2017
REASSESSMENT EXAM DIET 3 - 11 AUGUST 2017
GRADUATION 16 & 17 NOVEMBER 2017
Please see the next page for

SIGNIFICANT DATES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS
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1.2 SIGNIFICANT DATES FOR INDEPDENDENT DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS
Distance Learning Entry Dates

Semester 1: 12 September 2016 (programme applications will be accepted until 1 July 2016)
Semester 2: 9 January 2017 (programme applications will be accepted until 1 October 2016)
Course/Exam Application Deadlines for new and continuing students

Semester 1: 12 September 2016 (Deadline for course cancellations: 30 September 2016)
Semester 2: 9 January 2017 (Deadline for course cancellations: 27 January 2017)
Examination Diets
If the method of assessment includes an exam, the exam application must be
submitted with the course application.
Semester 1: 5 to 16 December 2016
Semester 2: 24 April to 5 May 2017
Semester 3 (REASSESSMENTS ONLY) 3 to 11 August 2017
DRAFT AND FINAL TIMETABLES (WHEN PUBLISHED) WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE
ACADEMIC REGISTRY WEBSITE AT: http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry
Coursework Submission Dates

(unless otherwise stated on VISION by individual Course Leaders)
Semester 1: Friday 2 December 2016
Semester 2: Friday 31 March 2017
Re-assessment: Friday 28 July 2017
Dissertation/Research Project Submission Dates

Friday 2 December 2016
Friday 31 March 2017
Friday 11 August 2017
Friday 1 December 2017
1.3 LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION/SERVICES

Please see the www.hw.ac.uk website which contains information about Heriot-Watt
University.
For School specific information, please see
www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/
For distance learning information in particular, please see
http://web.sbe.hw.ac.uk/currentstudents/distancelearning/IndependentDistanceLearning.htm?pane=2
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1.4 KEY CONTACTS
The Principal and Vice-Chancellor is the head of the University and is supported by
academic and administrative staff.
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 David Connolly 8051 d.connolly@hw.ac.uk
Construction Management
Civil Engineering
Safety, Risk and Reliability Dr Pauline Thompson 4417 p.thompson@hw.ac.uk
Engineering
Safety and Risk Management
Structural & Foundation Professor Omar 3100 o.laghrouche@hw.ac.uk
Engineering Laghrouche
* Water Resources Dr Alan Cuthbertson 8358 a.cuthbertson@hw.ac.uk
Water and Environmental
Management
Water Technology and Professor Bhaskar Sen 8171 b.sengupta@hw.ac.uk
Desalination Gupta
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN:
Architectural Engineering Dr David Campbell 4618 d.p.campbell@hw.ac.uk
* Building Services Engineering
* Building Services Engineering
Management
* Building Services Facilities
Management
* Environmental Services
Sustainable Building Design Dr Fan Wang 4636 fan.wang@hw.ac.uk
Carbon and Energy Dr Gillian Menzies 4663 g.f.menzies@hw.ac.uk

Management
* Sustainable Community
Design
Architectural Project Dr Graeme Bowles 4626 g.bowles@hw.ac.uk
Management
Construction Project Dr Turker Bayrak 4606 t.bayrak@hw.ac.uk
Management
Commercial Management and Professor Fiona Grant 4662 f.grant@hw.ac.uk
Quantity Surveying
* Facilities Management
* Building Surveying
* Construction Financial
Management
Building Conservation Dr Alan Forster 4661 a.m.forster@hw.ac.uk
(Technology & Management)
Sustainable Urban Dr John McCarthy 8093 j.p.mccarthy@hw.ac.uk
Management
Urban and Regional Planning
INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY, HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT AND REAL ESTATE

(I-SPHERE) (see over):
5
1.4 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 FOR SOCIAL POLICY, HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT AND REAL
ESTATE (I-SPHERE):
Real Estate Investment & Mr Colin Elliot 4627 c.j.elliot@hw.ac.uk
Finance
Real Estate Management &
Development
Real Estate and Planning
NON-INSTITUTE/CENTRE SPECIFIC:
Built Environment Allocated individually
Details of Course Co-ordinators can be found on individual course descriptors at

http://web.sbe.hw.ac.uk/currentstudents/studentinfo/sipg(new).htm?pane=1
and contact details are included in individual course material on VISION or via People Finder
(http://www.hw.ac.uk/people-finder/).
Phone
Administrative staff Name +44(0)131 451 Email address
followed by...
OFF-CAMPUS TEAM
Administrator (Independent
Ms Lesley Allan 3866 egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk
Distance Learning)
Administrator (Recruitment and

Ms Louise Dean 4657 egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk
Admissions)
Mrs Karen Biggar
Ms Maria Brichs
Mr David Cowie 4623

Mrs Lynne Dewar or
Administrative Assistants (Senior Assistant) 4424 egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk
or
Ms Kim Forrest 3898
Mrs Lisa Kennedy
Ms Liz McLean
(Senior Assistant)
Mrs Jackie Pringle
(Senior Assistant)
Ms Emma Davidson 3673 egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk

FINANCE TEAM Mrs Lisa Wright 4604 egis-idl-finance@hw.ac.uk
Mrs Vivienne Batho

RESOURCE CENTRE 4651 rc@egis.hw.ac.uk
Ms Isabel Seymour
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2 Welcome and Introduction
The term Flexible, Distributed and Independent Learning is used to refer to educational
provision leading to an award of Heriot-Watt University as the awarding institution, but
delivered, supported or assessed through means which do not require the student to
attend on-campus. This includes distributed learning delivered through an Approved
Learning Partner, individual distance learning in which there may be little direct contact
with staff and students on campus, and e-learning supported and, where relevant,
assessed via the internet. Students may study using a mixture of on-and off-campus
mechanisms.
Independent learners should contact the appropriate School in the first instance for any
academic query or assistance.
2.1 Welcome from the Principal

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Heriot-Watt University
community!
We are delighted you have chosen to study at Heriot-Watt. We are an exciting and
distinctive University, unique in terms of our global reach. As one of the most
progressive and international institutions based in Scotland, we are confident you will
have the opportunity to thrive, both personally and academically, during your time
with us. Our learning environment offers the very best in terms of study programmes
which apply knowledge to real world challenges, together with the latest learning
technologies, and outstanding support and facilities.
We hope you will thoroughly enjoy the experience of being a Heriot-Watt student and
we look forward to you commencing your studies with us.
Professor Richard A Williams OBE

University Principal and Vice-Chancellor
2.2 Welcome from Head of School

We have produced this handbook in order to answer many of the questions that students
may have during their studies here, including administrative procedures relating to the
running of your degree programme and the support services available to you. We hope
you will find this information useful.
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 with us for the first time. I hope that
your time at Heriot-Watt will be 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. Linking this to our
student-centred approach to teaching means that ultimately your academic performance
will be directly related to the amount of effort you put into your work.
7
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
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 or any other member of staff.
Professor Gareth Pender

Head of the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society
3 General Information about Heriot-Watt University and the School
3.1 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, ie Orkney and
Galashiels, a Campus in Dubai, a Campus in Malaysia, as well as a number of overseas
centres running University programmes. Heriot-Watt Universitys 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
3.2 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 and
petroleum engineering.
The facitilities that exist at the School support the learning and teaching at the School and
all of our students and researchers benefit from access to our state of the art laboratory and
computing facilties. The School web address is www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-
geoscience-infrastructure-society/
3.3 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.
8
4 How distance learning 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 AND 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 and/or Semester 2 for current academic year only).
2. Check assessment method for the course or courses selected.
3. Complete online enrolment for the current academic year.
4. Payment by debit/credit card: complete course selection and course fee payment
online. Submit Exam application and exam fee payment form (if appropriate) to the Off-
Campus Team.
Payment by UK cheque, bankers draft, bank transfer or sponsor: Submit Course
Application and Exam Application with appropriate payment/sponsor letter to the Off-
Campus Team.
5. Access course material on VISION and begin studying.
6. 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
date.
Examinations: a larger number of courses have assessment by examination. Check

draft and final timetables on the Academic Registry website.
Details about off-campus exam date/time/venue off-campus will be
emailed to Heriot-Watt email accounts.
7. Following the relevant Exam Board, results will be available to view online. This will
include grades and the Exam Board decision. Where re-assessment is required, this
must be completed in July/August of the same academic year as the first attempt.
8. Continue with further courses.
Information about Research Dissertation/Research Projects/Masters Dissertation can be

found in Part A, Section 8.
It is important that you read the following sections in Part A of this handbook:
5.2.2 Course Application and (if appropriate) Exam Application
7.1 Assessment
7.3 Submission of coursework
7.8 Progression
7.9 Exam boards and results
7.10 Re-assessment
7.11 Mitigating circumstances
And in Part B of this handbook:

APPENDIX A - STUDENT LEARNING CODE OF PRACTICE
APPENDIX B - STUDENT GUIDE TO PLAGIARISM
9
5 Enrolment
5.1 Period of study
Students are normally expected to follow the normal periods of study as described within
the Universitys Regulations. Students may extend their period of study up to a maximum
period, again as described in the Universitys Regulations. These time periods are as
follows:
Type of Award being studied Recommended period Maximum Period*
Postgraduate Certificate (f/t) 6 months 2 years
Postgraduate Certificate (p/t) 12 months 4 years
Postgraduate Diploma (f/t) 9 months 2 years
Postgraduate Diploma (p/t) 1.5 - 2 years 4 years
2 years
Postgraduate Masters Degree (f/t) 1 year
Postgraduate Masters Degree (p/t) 2.5 - 3 years 7 years
* Postgraduate Studies Committee, acting on behalf of Senate, can extend these periods in
extraordinary circumstances.
Please refer to the programme-specific information in Part A of this handbook for further
details on periods of study.
Further information on this issue can be found at http://www.hw.ac.uk/ordinances/regulations.pdf for:
Regulation 4 Postgraduate Diplomas and Graduate Diplomas, paragraph 10

Regulation 18 Postgraduate Certificates and Graduate Certificates, paragraph 10
Regulation 48 Higher Degree of Master (Taught), paragraph 10
The minimum periods within which Independent Distance Learning students can complete
their studies are:
Postgraduate Diploma: 2 years

Master of Science: 2.5 years
Most students intend to complete their studies within 2 - 3 years.
10
5.2 How to enrol
New students are required to complete online enrolment when they begin studying in
either September or January. Continuing students are required to complete online
enrolment at the beginning of each academic year during September. This is mainly to
confirm contact details, programme of study and the process will activate access to
VISION (virtual leaning environment).
The method of registration for individual courses, depends on the method of payment.
Please see section 5.2.2 for further information.
5.2.1 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 or if you are a
new student in a computer lab at a campus ask a member of staff for help.
12. Once you have completed all the required fields on each page and reached the
Enrolment Confirmation page you can log out by clicking on Exit in the top right corner.
13. You must then close your browser window.
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 2016/17. The confirmation letter will contain
you username, email address and password for accessing VISION (for more information
about using VISION, please see Part A, section 5.4).
Continuing students:
After you have carried out the above steps and reached the Enrolment Confirmation page
you have successfully completed enrolment for 2016/17. The confirmation letter will contain
you username, email address and new password for accessing VISION. You should be
able to use this if your old password no longer works.
For more information please go to: http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/enrolment.htm
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5.2.2 Course Application and (if appropriate) Exam Application
Once a student has been made an unconditional offer and completed online enrolment,
they should consult the relevant programme structure in Part A, Section 11, of this
handbook.
How a student registers for courses depends on the method of payment of course fees:
Payment by debit/credit card: complete course selection and course fee payment
online. Submit Exam application and exam fee payment form (if appropriate) to the
Off-Campus Team.
Payment by UK cheque, bankers draft, bank transfer or sponsor: Submit Course
Application and Exam Application with appropriate payment/sponsor letter to the Off-
Campus Team.
The Course Application form, Examination Application and credit card payment forms
can be downloaded from the School website at
http://web.sbe.hw.ac.uk/currentstudents/distancelearning/IndependentDistanceLearning.
htm?pane=2
Please note that access to course material cannot be made available unless the
appropriate Exam Application (including location) has been submitted.
Courses are available to study in Semester 1 OR Semester 2 only. Students

should only apply for courses for the current academic year.
Students are required to complete ALL parts of assessment within the semester
when the course is available (Semester 1 OR Semester 2). Where there is a
combination of assessment for a course (i.e. coursework and examination),
students must complete all parts of assessment within the same semester.
IMPORTANT: Students have until the end of week three of each semester to notify
the Off-Campus Team if they wish to cancel a course they are enrolled for during
that semester. After the end of week three, students are committed to completing
all parts of assessment within that semester. They will be marked as absent for
any parts of assessment not completed and may lose a re-assessment opportunity
(these are limited).
Students do not automatically have the opportunity to cancel a course beyond the
end of week three and should therefore consider carefully at the beginning of each
semester how much time they will have available for their studies.
Where re-assessment is required, this must be completed in 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.
12
5.2.3 Tuition fees for 2016/17
Distance learning tuition fees for 2016/17 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 Fee per course for 2016/17
Programmes in italics are closed to recruitment and only available to continuing students. Taught courses Research Project 1 / Masters/ Research
Research Project 2 dissertation
MSc/PG Diploma Architectural Engineering 1162 per course 830 per Research Project* Not applicable
MSc/PG Diploma Building Conservation (Technology and Management) 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Building Services Facilities Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Building Services Engineering 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Building Services Engineering Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Building Surveying 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Built Environment 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Carbon and Energy Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Civil Engineering 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Civil Engineering and Construction Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Construction Financial Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Construction Project Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Environmental Services 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Facilities Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Housing and Real Estate 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Real Estate and Planning 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Real Estate Investment and Finance 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Real Estate Management & Development 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Safety, Risk & Reliability Engineering 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Safety Risk Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Structural and Foundation Engineering 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Sustainable Building Design 1162 per course 830 per Research Project* Not applicable
MSc/PG Diploma Sustainable Community Design 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Sustainable Urban Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Urban and Regional Planning 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Water and Environmental Management 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Water Resources 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
MSc/PG Diploma Water Technology and Desalination Standard courses: 1162 per course Not applicable 1660*
(please check structure (Section 11) for standard/premium courses) Premium courses: 2260 per course
MSc/Diploma Architectural Project Management (joint with 1162 per course
University of Edinburgh) (The MSc and PG Diploma programmes Not applicable 1660*
include a total of 7 courses)
* Please see Part A, Section 8 to check whether this charge applies to you.
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5.2.4 Examination fees for 2016/17:
Edinburgh Campus No charge
Dubai Campus 110.00 per exam
Malaysia Campus 110.00 per exam
Off-campus location 110.00 per exam
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCHOOL WILL BE REVIEWING HOW EXAMINATION FEES ARE CHARGED
AND CHANGES MAY BE IMPLEMENTED FROM SEPTEMBER 2017
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5.2.5 Methods of Payment for tuition (course) fees and (if appropriate) exam
fees:
Debit or credit card students wishing to pay by debit or credit card can select
and pay for courses ONLY online at
https://myhwu.hw.ac.uk/HWSAS8/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin If you experience any
problems or have any questions, please contact the Off-Campus Team (egis-idl-
enquiries@hw.ac.uk). Once the payment has been completed, the Off-Campus
Team will check the course selection before updating your record.
PLEASE NOTE: The Exam Application form must still be submitted to the Off-
Campus Team via email, fax or mail.
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 http://www.hw.ac.uk/payment/bank-transfer.htm
(also see the document Making Payment Via Bank-to-Bank Transfer).
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.
Sponsor if tuition fees are to be paid by a sponsor, students must submit a copy
of a 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 sponsors headed paper.
Courses - what you need Exams - what you need to

to do: do:
Credit/debit card Select courses and pay Submit application and
online payment to Off-Campus
Team
Bank transfer Submit application to Off- Submit application and
Campus Team and pay payment to Off-Campus
online Team
UK cheque/bankers draft Submit application and Submit application and
payment to Off-Campus payment to Off-Campus
Team Team
Sponsor Submit application and Submit application and
sponsor letter to Off- payment to Off-Campus
Campus Team Team
Off-Campus Team
School of the Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society (EGIS)
Heriot-Watt University
Edwin Chadwick Building
Edinburgh Campus
EDINBURGH
UK
Email: egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk
Fax: +44(0)131 451 4617
Tel:
Off-Campus Team: +44(0)131 451 4424 or 4623 or 3898
Finance Team: +44(0)131 451 3673 or 4604
15
5.2.6 Matriculation/registration 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 contact the Student Service Centre so they can
generate and mail the card (studentcentre@hw.ac.uk).
5.3 How to enrol for further courses

Students can apply for further courses in line with entry dates (see Part A, Section
1.2) by following the Course and Exam Application instructions as detailed in Part A,
Section 5.2.5.
5.4 Access to course material via VISION

Students will access course material via the Universitys virtual learning environment
(VLE) known as VISION at 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 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 10.3.
5.5 Text books

Students can choose from where they wish to source text books but the School does
have an agreement with Blackwell Booksellers
(http://www.blackwells.co.uk/bobuk/scripts/welcome.jsp) who operate a book ordering
service for distance learning students at Heriot-Watt University. Distance learning
students will receive a 10% discount on books ordered from Blackwell's and books will
be posted directly to students. A copy of the relevant information and order form is
emailed to students at the beginning of their studies.
5.6 Amendments to enrolment

Completed forms must be signed and returned to the Off-Campus Team by mail or fax
or scanned and emailed. The most common amendments to enrolment applied for by
distance learning students are:
5.6.1 Temporary suspension of studies
If a student knows in advance that they will take a break from their studies of more
than one semester, they can request a temporary suspension of studies in order to
ensure that the total length of period of study is not reduced. Students should
complete the Amendment to Registration Form (Taught Programmes) (Approval by
Postgraduate Studies Committee) at http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/studentrecords.htm
Save the file as instructed and email it to the Off-Campus Team in the School. Please
note that temporary suspensions of studies will not be approved retrospectively.
Students are informed about the outcome in writing by Academic Registry.
5.6.2 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
Form (Approval by School/Institute) at:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/studentrecords.htm sign and scan/email, fax or mail it to
the Off-Campus Team in the School.
16
5.6.3 Withdrawal from programme of study
If a student wishes to withdraw from their programme of study, they should complete
the University Withdrawal form at http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/studentrecords.htm
sign and scan/email, fax or mail it to the Off-Campus Team in the School. Tuition fees
are non-refundable (see online enrolment declaration) but if a student thinks they are
entitled to a refund of any fees, they should submit a request in writing to the Off-
Campus Team.
5.6.4 Programme transfer
Students wishing to transfer programme should complete the Programme Transfer
Application form (Research/Taught) at
http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/studentrecords.htm and submit it to the Off-Campus
Team in the School.
5.7 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
http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/enrolment/distance-learning.htm
Students who wish to change their name details must contact the Student Service
Centre (studentcentre@hw.ac.uk) and provide the appropriate paperwork.
17
6 Course study
6.1 Programme structure
In common with most Heriot-Watt University postgraduate programme, 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 all distance learning programme are entirely attendance free.
Programme structures for 2016/17 are available at
(please refer to Graduate Schools then the appropriate Institute).
6.2 Course descriptors

Course descriptors for 2016/17 are available on the School website at
(please refer to Stage 5 / Postgraduate).
6.3 Communication with Course or Programme Leaders

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 Part A, Section 1.4).
For distance learning 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 Off-Campus Team (egis-idl-

enquiries@hw.ac.uk).
18
7 Assessment and progression
7.1 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 for individual courses can be found on each course descriptor
on the School website or in Part A, Section 11.2.
Courses are available in either Semester 1 OR Semester 2.

Students are required to complete all parts of the course assessment within
the semester when the course is available.
Where there is a combination of assessment for a course (i.e. coursework and
examination), students must complete all parts of the assessment in the same
semester (this is in line with requirements for all students).
If a student fails to meet this requirement, they will be marked as absent for the
relevant part or parts of assessment, the course will be recorded as a fail and,
unless they have exhausted all re-assessment opportunities, a re-assessment
will be required.
It should be noted that postgraduate students are entitled to one re-assessment

opportunity in a maximum of three taught courses. Once all re-assessment
opportunities have been exhausted, students will not be permitted to continue
with their programme.
7.2 Access to coursework questions

Coursework questions are available within the individual course information accessed
via VISION (for information about VISION, see section 5.4)
7.3 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 the Appendix: 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.
Any coursework submitted after the submission date/time is late and will be
treated as such, as described below:
19
Coursework submitted up to 1 week late (7 calendar days) will have 10% deducted
from the mark awarded. i.e.
Deduction for late
Mark awarded
submission
40 - 49 % - 4%
50 - 59 % - 5%
60 - 69 % - 6%
70 - 79 % - 7%
80 - 89 % - 8%
90 100 % - 9%
Coursework submitted more than 1 week late will be awarded zero percent.
7.3.1 Return of coursework to students

1. Coursework feedback is usually returned to you by email.
2. If you are concerned that you are not receiving 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.
7.4 Examinations and examination diets
Where a course has examination assessment, students must submit an Examination

Application form when they submit the Course Application (register for courses
online). Examinations are offered at the end of the semester when the specific course
is available (December OR April/May). Dates of diets are noted in Part A, Section 1.1.
Attention is drawn to the information regarding calculators and dictionaries noted at
http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/policies.htm. Please see section 7.6 on the next page
about Applying for Exams. Please note that translational dictionaries are not
permitted in examinations.
7.5 Access to past exam papers

Past exam papers can be accessed via the School website at
http://web.sbe.hw.ac.uk/currentstudents/studentinfo/sipg(new).htm?pane=1 Students
should select the remote access only (password protected) option. Course leaders
are not required to make model answers available for exam papers. The username
and password is changed at the beginning of each academic year and is provided by
the Off-Campus Team.
7.6 Applying for exams

Students can apply to take exams at a Heriot-Watt campus or at a location near to
them. There is no charge for taking an exam at the Edinburgh Campus but there is a
charge for the each exam arranged at an off-campus location or at the Dubai Campus
or Malaysia Campus. The charge for 2016/17 is 110GBP per exam.
Access to course material cannot be made available unless the appropriate

Exam Application (including location) has been submitted.
The Examination Application and credit/debit payment forms can be found at

http://web.sbe.hw.ac.uk/currentstudents/distancelearning/IndependentDistanceLearni
ng.htm?pane=2
Please note that the school will be reviewing how examination fees are charged and
changes may be implemented from September 2017.
20
7.7 Students with special needs
During each exam diet the School will be informed of those students who have special
needs. Each course leader will be informed of these requirements prior to the exams. If a
student requires the use of a reader/scribe and/or separate accommodation, this must
be organised well in advance of each exam 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 needs can be found on the Student Welfare
Services website: https://www.hw.ac.uk/students/health-wellbeing/disability.htm
The University has recently received a new 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 School IT Support Unit (it-support@sbe.hw.ac.uk
ithelp@egis.hw.ac.uk).
7.8 Progression
The University operates the Heriot-Watt Assessment and Progression System
(HWAPS). Full details are given on the University website at
http://www.hw.ac.uk/ordinances/regulations.pdf
Below is information describing how HWAPS will apply to you as a student enrolled on
a School postgraduate degree programme. It does not provide a comprehensive
description of the entire system. Under HWAPS you will be awarded a Grade rather
than a mark in each course. Grades will map onto marks according to the following
general guidelines:
CAPS HWAPS Grade Approximate marks range

A 70% - 100%
B 60% - 69%
C 50% - 59%
D 40% - 49%
E < 40% and above the minimum standard for the award of credit points, but usually
insufficient to continue study in the subject
F < 40% and below the minimum standard for the award of credit points
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.
Minimum Standards for Pass, Progression and Credit:

1. PG Diploma: To pass a course at PG Diploma level, Grade E or above is required.
In addition, an overall average of Grade D or above is required in all qualifying
courses.
2. MSc: To pass a course at MSc level, Grade D or above is required. In addition, an
overall average of Grade C or above is required in all qualifying courses and Grade C
or above is required for Research Project/Masters dissertation/Research Dissertation.
4. Criteria for pass, progression and credit points shall be as specified in the
structures for each programme. Programme structures can be accessed via the
School website.
5. Also see paragraph 7.10 Re-assessment.
21
7.9 Exam boards and results
Where assessment has been completed for a course(s) or Masters
dissertation/Research 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.
7.10 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 have the required number of re-
assessment opportunities remaining.
A student who has been awarded a Grade D may be permitted a re-assessment
but this decision will be made by the relevant exam board.
Students are entitled to one re-assessment opportunity in a maximum of

three courses.
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 Off-Campus 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 must be taken in the same academic year as the first attempt in the
summer period. Exceptions to this may be courses which are provided by other
Schools within the University or by a partner institution. 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.
There is a charge of 35 for each course to be re-assessed (irrespective of the

method of re-assessment).
Where the method of re-assessment is by exam, students must submit an

Examination Application form to the Off-Campus Team as described in Part A, Section
7.6.
7.11 Mitigating Circumstances
Students have until the end of week three of each semester to notify the Off-Campus
Team if they wish to cancel a course they are enrolled for during that semester. After
the end of week three, students are committed to completing all parts of assessment
22
within that semester. They will be marked as absent for any parts of assessment not
completed and may lose a re-assessment opportunity.
Students do not automatically have the opportunity to cancel a course beyond the end
of week three and should therefore consider carefully at the beginning of each
semester how much time they will have available for their studies.
Your attention is drawn to the Policy on Mitigating Circumstances in Relation to

Assessment which is available on the Academic Registry website at
http://www1.hw.ac.uk/committees/ltb/ltb-policies.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.
The Mitigating Circumstances Application Form can be found on the Find a Form
page at http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/forms.htm under the Examinations and
Assessments heading.
Deadline dates for submission of Mitigating Circumstances Application forms:
DEADLINE DATES FOR SUBMISSION OF MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES APPLICATION

FORMS TO THE OFF-CAMPUS TEAM:
Tuesday 10 January 2017 For mitigating circumstances occurring during Semester 1 up until
and including Friday 16 December 2016.
Friday 5 May 2017 For mitigating circumstances which relate to only dissertation and
Research Project submission in April 2016.
Friday 26 May 2017 For mitigating circumstances occurring during Semester 2 up until
and including Friday 5 May 2017.
Wednesday 16 August 2017 For mitigating circumstances occurring during the summer resit
exam diet up to and including Friday 11 August 2017 and
dissertation or Research Project in August 2017.
Failure to notify us of any mitigating circumstances by these dates means they will not
be considered at the relevant exam boards.
23
8 Research Dissertation / Research Projects / Masters Dissertation
Independent distance learning students who have successfully completed all taught
courses and progressed to the Masters dissertation, Research Projects or Research
Dissertation have the option to choose when to register and commence. Part-time
students (including distance learning) have a maximum of two semesters within which
to complete their Masters dissertation, Research Projects or Research Dissertation.
This is dependent on the student having the required two semesters remaining within
their total period of studies (the maximum period of studies for MSc is 7 years). You
can check the expiry date on the Programme Details screen when you complete
online enrolment for 2016/17 in September 2016.
For the Masters dissertation, Research Projects and Research Dissertation,

students must achieve grade C or above in order to pass the Masters level.
Students can elect the (start of the) semester when they wish to register for the
dissertation. From the point at which a student registers for the dissertation
(after receiving the formal progression decision) they have two semesters
within which to undertake and submit the dissertation.
Students register for the dissertation by submitting the relevant Masters

dissertation, Research Projects and Research Dissertation Application form.
The Masters dissertation, Research Projects and Research Dissertation are

completed over two consecutive semesters and the points during 2016/17 at which
students can begin the Masters dissertation or Research Projects are:
12 September 2016
9 January 2017
22 May 2017
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:
8.1 Research Dissertation

8.2 Research Projects
8.3 Masters Dissertation
24
8.1 Research Dissertation
MSc Architectural Project Management
MSc Building Conservation (Technology & Management)
MSc Carbon & Energy Management
MSc Civil Engineering
MSc Civil Engineering & Construction Management
MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying
MSc Construction Project Management
MSc Facilities Management
MSc Real Estate and Planning
MSc Real Estate Investment and Finance
MSc Real Estate Management and Development
MSc Safety and Risk Management
MSc Safety Risk and Reliability Engineering
MSc Structural and Foundation Engineering
MSc Sustainable Urban Management
MSc Urban and Regional Planning
MSc Water and Environmental Management
MSc Water Resources
MSc Water Technology and Desalination
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.
The Research Dissertation is completed over two semesters. Topics will be set by the
Research Dissertation Course Leader with support provided via VISION.
The table below shows whether or not you will be required to pay a fee for the
Research Projects:
First enrolled for First enrolled for
programme before programme after
May 2013 May 2013
Programmes listed above, on this page No fee* 1660
* There will be no fee associated with the Research Dissertation IF the Research
Dissertation is completed by December 2016. Otherwise the appropriate fee will be
charged.
Research Dissertation submission

The Research Dissertation is submitted in the same way as coursework (via Turnitin
on VISION on or before the relevant deadline). Students are not required to submit
hard copies.
25
8.2 Research Projects
MSc Architectural Engineering
MSc Sustainable Building Design
Students must achieve Masters level (grade C or above) in order to pass the
Research Projects.
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 Research Projects (Research Project 1 (30 credits) & Research Project 2 (30
credits)). The two Research Projects combined have the equal credit value to the
dissertation (60 credits).
Research Projects are completed over two semesters in sequence with no break.
Topics will be set by the Research Project Course Leader with support provided via
VISION. Students are required to submit an interim report in weeks 10 - 12 of their
project and the single final submission is near the end of the second semester (check
Key Dates for submission date).
The table below shows whether or not you will be required to pay a fee for the
Research Projects:
First enrolled for programme First enrolled for
before May 2013 programme after May 2013
Research Research Research Research
Project 1 Project 2 Project 1 Project 2
Programmes listed above, on this page No fee* No fee* 830 830
* There will be no fee associated with the Research Projects IF the Research Projects
are completed by December 2016. Otherwise the appropriate fee will be charged.
Research Project submission

Research Projects are submitted in the same way as coursework (via Turnitin on
VISION on or before the relevant deadline). Students are not required to submit hard
copies.
26
8.3 Masters dissertation
MSc Carbon and Energy Management
MSc Sustainable Community Design
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.
The table below shows whether you will be required to pay a fee for the Masters
dissertation:
First enrolled for First enrolled for
programme before programme after
May 2013 May 2013
Programmes listed above, on this page No fee* 1660
* There will be no fee associated with the Masters dissertation IF it is completed by

December 2016. Otherwise the appropriate fee will be charged.
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.
Phone
Area of study Dissertation Co-ordinator +44(0)131 451 Email address
followed by...
Architectural Engineering
Dr Mehreen Gul 4082 m.gul@hw.ac.uk
(D1xx programmes)
Civil Engineering
Dr Mehreen Gul 4082 m.gul@hw.ac.uk
(D2xx programmes)
Construction Management
& Surveying Dr Craig Kennedy 4629 craig.kennedy@hw.ac.uk
(D3xx programmes)
Real Estate and Housing
Dr Craig Kennedy 4629 craig.kennedy@hw.ac.uk
(D4xx programmes)
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.
Dissertation submission
Masters dissertations are submitted in the same way as coursework (via Turnitin on
VISION on or before the relevant deadline). Students are not required to submit hard
copies.
27
9 Graduation
Graduations are held in June and November. Students who expect to graduate
following an External Exam Board should submit a Graduation form and appropriate
fee to Academic Registry per the instructions on their website at
http://www.hw.ac.uk/registry/graduation.htm as soon as they submit their dissertation.
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 School Resource Centre
The School Resource Centre is on the top floor of the Edwin Chadwick building, Rooms
2.04, 2.05 and 2.06. Students visiting the School are welcome to make use of these
facilities.
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 http://www.hw.ac.uk/is/about.htm Specifically, you will find information about
off-campus access by selecting the Off campus tab at http://www.hw.ac.uk/is/library-
essentials/onoff-campus-access.htm
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 at http://vision.hw.ac.uk Students who enrolled before August 2010
should use the username and password emailed to them by the Off-Campus Team at
the beginning of their studies. Students who enrol for the first time should use the
username and password created during the online enrolment process.
Once you have logged on, you should see all of the courses for which you have
enrolled 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 enrolled, it may be for one
of two reasons:
1. you may not be correctly enrolled for the course (contact the Off-Campus Team at
egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk)
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 to determine issues that need to be addressed
and is therefore it is very important that you complete this. Feedback is also discussed
at Student-Staff Committees.
28
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.
The School 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 the School 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/students/health-wellbeing/safety.htm
Further information relating to the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure &
Society can be accessed at
http://web.sbe.hw.ac.uk/currentstaff/healthandsafety/hs.htm?pane=0
The experiences gained through the operation of the policy will be reviewed
annually and where appropriate the School Health and Safety policy document
will be amended.
29
11 PROGRAMME STRUCTURES, COURSE AVAILABILITY AND
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
11.1 Recommended routes for the following programmes are listed in
alphabetical order in this section. Included are:
Institute for Infrastructure & Environment

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
MSc/PG Diploma in Structural & Foundation Engineering
MSc/PG Diploma in Water and Environmental Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Water Technology and Desalination
The following programmes are closed to recruitment and only available to continuing students:
MSc/PG Diploma in Water Resources
Institute for Building and Urban Design

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 Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying
MSc/PG Diploma in Construction Project Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Sustainable Building Design
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 Building Services Engineering
MSc/PG Diploma in Building Services Engineering Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Building Services Facilities Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Environmental Services
MSc/PG Diploma in Building Surveying
MSc/PG Diploma in Construction Financial Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Facilities Management
MSc/PG Diploma in Sustainable Community Design
The Urban Institute for Housing, Urban and Real Estate Research
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
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.
30
D117-AEN MSc in Architectural Engineering
D115-AEN PG Diploma in Architectural Engineering
Course availability and assessment method details can be found in Part A, Section 11.2.
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses - six mandatory and two optional.
Course code Course title Mandatory/optional

COURSES AVAILABLE IN SEMESTER 1:
D11BD Building Electrical and Lighting Services Mandatory
D11LC Low Carbon Buildings Mandatory
D11VE Ventilation and Air Conditioning Mandatory
D31PZ Contracts and Procurement Optional
D41DD Sustainable Design and Development Optional
D21WC Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings Optional
D11AF Architectural Acoustics Mandatory
D11HF Human Factors Mandatory
D11TH Thermofluids Mandatory
D11PP Carbon Footprinting Optional
D11SC Corporate Social Responsibility Optional
D11SB Energy Systems and Buildings Optional
D31PO People and Organisational Management for the Built Optional
Environment
For this programme, Masters level students complete Research Projects 1 and 2. Please see Part A,
Section 8 and 8.2 for further information.
Research Projects 1 and 2 are completed in sequence over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning Research Projects 1 and 2, students must have successfully completed all
taught courses and received a formal Exam Board decision to proceed to the dissertation/project.
31
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. You will find further
information on their website at
http://www.eca.ed.ac.uk/architecture-landscape-architecture/postgraduate/taught-
degrees/architectural-project-management-msc
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

D31DV Design, Value & Architecture (EU) Mandatory
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice (HW) Mandatory
D31PZ Contracts & Procurement (HW) Optional
D31VR Value & Risk Management (HW) Optional
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 & Organisational Management in the Built Optional
Environment (HW)
Submission dates for University of Edinburgh courses: DATES TO BE CONFIRMED

Course Course title Topic Structure Report Essay
code
D31DV Design, Value & Architecture (UofE)
Semester 1 TBC TBC TBC TBC
D31AS Architecture and Sustainability (UofE)
D31AI Architecture, Construction & Industrialisation(UofE)
For this programme, Masters level students complete the Research Dissertation. Please see Part A,
Section 8 & 8.1 for further information.
The Research Dissertation is completed over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning the Research Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all
32
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
D31MS Materials and Structures for Conservation Mandatory
D31PO People and Organisational Management in the Built Mandatory
Environment
D31ST Services and Technology for Conservation Mandatory
33
D177-BDE MSc in Building Services Engineering
D175-BDE PG Diploma in Building Services Engineering
This programme is closed to recruitment and only available to continuing students.
Any questions related to this programme should be directed to the

Off-Campus Team in the first instance (egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk)
For this programme, Masters level students complete the Masters Dissertation. Please see Part A,
The Masters Dissertation is completed over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning the Masters Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all
34
D197-BDM MSc in Building Services Engineering Management
D195-BDM PG Diploma in Building Services Engineering Management

35
D1G7-BDF MSc in Building Services Facilities Management
D1G5-BDF PG Diploma in Building Services Facilities Management

36
D3V7-BSU MSc in Building Surveying
D3V5-BSU PG Diploma in Building Surveying

37
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 Part A, Section11.2 (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.
38
D134-CMA MSc in Carbon and Energy Management
D135-CMA PG Diploma in Carbon and Energy Management
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses - all mandatory.

D11CA Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation Mandatory
C21EN Environmental and Energy Economics (provided by the School of Mandatory
Management & Languages)
D41SP Spatial Planning Mandatory
D11SB Energy Systems and Buildings Mandatory
D11SC Corporate Social Responsibility Mandatory
D11PP Carbon Footprinting Mandatory
39
D2H7-CIV MSc in Civil Engineering
D2H5-CIV PG Diploma in Civil Engineering
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses all optional.

D21EQ Earthquake Engineering Optional
D21EG Environmental Geotechnics Optional
D21EH Environmental Hydrology & Water Resources Optional
D21GG Ground Engineering Optional
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice Optional
D21ST Sustainability in Civil Engineering Optional
D21FE Foundation Engineering Optional
D20DT Analysis of Indeterminate Structures Optional
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
D21WW Water and Wastewater Treatment Optional
40
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
Off-Campus Team in the first instance (egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk).
Course code Course title Semester

OPTIONAL COURSES:
TECHNICAL OPTIONS (select minimum 5 courses):
D21EQ Earthquake Engineering 1
D21EH Environmental Hydrology & Water Resources 1
D21GG Ground Engineering 1
D20DS Indeterminate Structures 1
D20DT Analysis of Indeterminate Structures 2
D21FE Foundation Engineering 2
D21MW Marine Wastewater Discharges 2
D21SR Safety Risk & Reliability 2
D21UD Urban Drainage & Water Supply 2
D21WW Water and Wastewater Treatment 2
NON-TECHNICAL CPM OPTIONS (select minimum 2 courses):
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice 1
D31VR Value & Risk Management 1
D31CG Construction Financial Management 2
D31PS Project Management: Strategic Issues (must complete D31PT 2
Project Management Theory & Practice first)
NON-TECHNICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING OPTIONS (select maximum 1 course):
D21EG Environmental Geotechnics 1
D21ST Sustainability in Civil Engineering 1
41
D3C7-QSU MSc in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying
D3C5-QSU PG Diploma in Commercial Management and Quantity
Surveying
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses - seven mandatory and one optional.

D31TA Construction Technology Mandatory
D31PZ Contracts & Procurement Mandatory
D31VR Value & Risk Management Mandatory
D21EH Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Optional
D41ME Macroeconomics, Finance and the Built Environment Optional
D41RE Real Estate Economics Optional
D41SP Spatial Planning Optional
D31CG Construction Financial Management Mandatory
D31MI Construction Practice and Information Technology Mandatory
D31CF Quantity Surveying Financial Management Mandatory
D31PO People & Organisational Management in the Built Mandatory
Environment
For this programme, Masters level students complete Research Dissertation. Please see Part A,
Research Dissertation are completed in sequence over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning Research Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all
42
D3G7-CFM MSc in Construction Financial Management
D3G5-CFM PG Diploma in Construction Financial Management

43
D3K7-CPM MSc in Construction Project Management
D3K5-CPM PG Diploma in Construction Project Management

D31PZ Contracts and Procurement Mandatory
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice Mandatory
D31TA Construction Technology Optional
D41ME Macroeconomics, Finance and the Built Environment Optional
D31PO People & Organisational Management in the Built Mandatory
Environment
D31PS Project Management: Strategic Issues (must complete D31PT Mandatory
Project Management Theory & Practice first)
For this programme, Masters level students complete Research Dissertation. Please see Part A,
Research Dissertation are completed in sequence over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning Research Dissertation, students must have successfully completed all
44
D1K7-ENS MSc in Environmental Services
D1K5-ENS PG Diploma in Environmental Services

45
D3T7-FAM MSc in Facilities Management
D3T5-FAM PG Diploma in Facilities Management

D31PZ Contracts & Procurement Mandatory
D31SQ Service Procurement & Provision Mandatory
D31AM Asset Maintenance Management Mandatory
D31SM Space Planning and Management no longer running Mandatory
46
D4P7-REP MSc in Real Estate and Planning
D4P5-REP PG Diploma in Real Estate and Planning

D41VC Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation 1 Mandatory
D41RE Real Estate Economics Mandatory
D41DD Sustainable Design and Development Mandatory
D41GV Governance, Participation and Community Planning Mandatory
D41RD Real Estate Development Mandatory
D41IA Real Estate Investment Analysis Mandatory
D41SZ Strategic Spatial Vision Project Mandatory
47
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
D41IP International Property Markets & Investment Mandatory
D41VD Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 2 (must complete D41VC Mandatory
Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 1 first)
48
D4D7-RED MSc in Real Estate Management and Development
D4D5-RED PG Diploma in Real Estate Management and Development

D41VC Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 1 Mandatory
D41VD Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 2 (must complete D41VC Mandatory
Real Estate Appraisal & Valuation 1 first)
D41AN Real Estate Management and Sustainability Mandatory
49
D2S7-SRM MSc in Safety and Risk Management
D2S5-SRM PG Diploma in Safety and Risk Management

D21HM Human Factors Methods Mandatory
D31PT Project Management Theory & Practice Mandatory
D21RA Risk Assessment & Safety Management Mandatory
D31VR Value and Risk Management Mandatory
B51GH Environmental Impact Assessment (provided by the School of Mandatory
Engineering & Physical Sciences)
D21FR Fire Safety, Explosions & Process Safety Mandatory
D21CR Human Factors in the Design and Evaluation of Control Mandatory
Rooms
D21LD Learning from Disasters Mandatory
50
D2Q7-SRE MSc in Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering
D2Q5-SRE PG Diploma in Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering

D21DA Data Analysis and Simulation Mandatory
D21HM Human Factors Methods Mandatory
D21RA Risk Assessment & Safety Management Mandatory
D21SY Systems Reliability Mandatory
B51GH Environmental Impact Assessment (provided by the School of Mandatory
D21FR Fire Safety, Explosions & Process Safety Mandatory
D21LD Learning from Disasters Mandatory
D21SR Safety, Risk and Reliability Mandatory
51
D2R7-SFE MSc in Structural and Foundation Engineering
D2R5-SFE PG Diploma in Structural and Foundation Engineering

D21EQ Earthquake Engineering Mandatory
D21FA Finite Element Analysis and Stress Analysis A Mandatory
D21GG Ground Engineering Mandatory
D21SD Stability and Dynamics Mandatory
D20DS
D20DT Analysis of Indeterminate Structures Mandatory
D21FB Finite Element Analysis and Stress Analysis B Mandatory
D21FE Foundation Engineering Mandatory
D21SR Safety, Risk and Reliability Mandatory
52
D102-SCD MSc in Sustainable Building Design
D103-SCD PG Diploma in Sustainable Building Design

D11VE Ventilation and Air Conditioning Mandatory
D21WC Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings Mandatory
D11SB Energy Systems and Buildings Mandatory
D11ED Environmental Design Mandatory
D11MD Modelling for Sustainable Building Design Mandatory
For this programme, Masters level students complete Research Projects 1 and 2. Please see Part
A, Section 8 & 8.2 for further information.
Research Projects 1 and 2 are completed in sequence over two consecutive semesters.
Note: Before beginning Research Projects 1 and 2, students must have successfully completed all
53
D167-SCD MSc in Sustainable Community Design
D165-SCD PG Diploma in Sustainable Community Design
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses - five mandatory and three optional.

D11CA Climate Change and Sustainability Mandatory
D11BD Building Electrical & Lighting Services Optional
D21EH Environmental Hydrology & Water Resources Optional
D11VE Ventilation & Air Conditioning Optional
D11EP Ecovillage Practice (no longer running) Mandatory
D11CP Community Design Practice (no longer running) Mandatory
D11SB Energy Systems and Buildings Optional
B51GH Environmental Impact Assessment (provided by the School of Optional
D41PE Environmental Planning Optional
D11HF Human Factors Optional
D41RD Real Estate Development Optional
54
D4S7-SUM MSc in Sustainable Urban Management
D4S5-SUM PG Diploma in Sustainable Urban Management
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses - five mandatory and three optional.

D41TN Technical Networks and Urban Resilience Mandatory
D21IR Integrated Water Resource Management Optional
D11LC Low Carbon Buildings Optional
D41UK UK and International Housing Policy Optional
D41PE Environmental Planning Mandatory
D41EP Urban Economy and Property Markets Mandatory
D11SC Corporate Social Responsibility Optional
D41GV Governance, Participation and Community Planning Optional
D31PO People and Organisational Management in the Built Optional
Environment
D41SS Social Sustainability Optional
55
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: D41DD, D41SP)
D11CA Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation Optional
D41TN Technical Networks and Urban Resilience Optional
D41UK UK and International Housing Policy Optional
D41UD Urban Design for Health and Wellbeing not available 2016/17 Optional
D41PE Environmental Planning Mandatory
D41GV Governance, Participation and Community Planning Mandatory
D41SS Social Sustainability Mandatory
D41SZ Strategic Spatial Vision Project Mandatory
56
D201-WEM MSc in Water and Environmental Management
D202- WEM PG Diploma in Water and Environmental Management
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses all optional.

D21RV Computer Simulation of River Flows Optional
C21EN Environmental and Energy Economics Optional
D21GC Innovative Technologies and Global Water Challenges Optional
D21IR Integrated Water Resource Management Optional
D41PE Environmental Planning Optional
D21IW Irrigation Water Management Optional
D21MW Marine Wastewater Discharges Optional
D21MS Statistical Modelling of the Environment Optional
D21WW Water and Wastewater Treatment Optional
57
D2W7-WRC MSc in Water Resources
D2W5- WRC PG Diploma in Water Resources
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses seven mandatory and one optional.

D21EH Environmental Hydrology & Water Resources Mandatory
D21RV Computer Simulation of River Flows Mandatory
D21IR Integrated Water Resource Management Mandatory
D21UD Urban Drainage & Water Supply Mandatory
D21WW Water and Wastewater Treatment Mandatory
D21MW Marine Water Discharges Mandatory
58
D217-WTD MSc in Water Technology and Desalination
D215- WTD PG Diploma in Water Technology and Desalination
Composition of taught courses: Eight courses six mandatory and two optional.
Course code Course title Standard/ Mandatory/

premium optional
D21IR Integrated Water Resource Management Standard Mandatory
D21MP Membrane Processes Premium Mandatory
D21TH Thermal and Hybrid Processes Premium Mandatory
(must complete D21MP first)
D21GC Innovative Technologies and Global Water Standard Optional
Challenges
D21IR Integrated Water Resource Management Standard Optional
D21WC Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings Standard Optional
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
D21MW Marine Wastewater Discharges Standard Optional
59
11.2 Course availability and assessment details
The following table lists courses alphabetically and details the availability 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 IDL students in Part A, section 1.2 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/
60
11.2 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 IDL COURSE AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT METHOD
code contact
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 Examination Coursework
(Sept Dec) (Jan Apr)
Analysis of Indeterminate Structures D20DT G Vasdravellis NO SUMMATIVE CW
Applied Building Pathology D31BR C Kennedy NO SUMMATIVE CW
Architectural Acoustics D11AF L Galbrun NO SUMMATIVE CW
Architecture and Sustainability D31AS (University of Edinburgh) NO EXAM
Architecture, Construction and Industrialisation D31AI (University of Edinburgh) NO EXAM
Asset Maintenance Management D31AM A Al-Hajj NO SUMMATIVE CW
Building and Contextual Investigation D31BX A Forster NO SUMMATIVE CW
Building Electrical and Lighting Services D11BD M Gormley TBC NO SUMMATIVE CW
Carbon Footprinting D11PP G Menzies NO SUMMATIVE CW
Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation D11CA D Kelly NO SUMMATIVE CW
Computer Simulation of River Flows D21RV G Wright NO SUMMATIVE CW
Conservation Philosophy and Practice D31CN A Forster NO SUMMATIVE CW
Construction Financial Management D31CG S Ogunlana NO SUMMATIVE CW
Construction Practice and Information Technology D31MI I Motawa NO SUMMATIVE CW
Construction Technology D31TA M Abdel-Wahab NO SUMMATIVE CW
Contracts and Procurement D31PZ A Oyegoke NO SUMMATIVE CW
Corporate Social Responsibility D11SC M Gul NO SUMMATIVE CW
Data Analysis and Simulation D21DA S Patidar NO SUMMATIVE CW
Desalination Economics and Management D21DE TBC NO SUMMATIVE CW
Design, Value and Architecture D31DV (University of Edinburgh) NO EXAM
Earthquake Engineering D21EQ O Laghrouche NO SUMMATIVE CW
Energy Systems and Buildings D11SB D J Harris M Gul NO SUMMATIVE CW
Environmental and Energy Economics C21EN M Schaffer (SML)
61
11.2 COURSE AVAILABILITY & ASSESSMENT DETAILS (continued)
Course title Course Course leader COURSE AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT METHOD

code
Environmental Design D11ED F Wang NO SUMMATIVE CW
Environmental Geotechnics D21EG G Medero NO SUMMATIVE CW
Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources D21EH A Adeloye NO SUMMATIVE CW
Environmental Impact Assessment B51GH To be confirmed (EPS)
Environmental Planning D41PE C Brown
Finite Element Analysis & Stress Analysis A D21FA S Mohamed NO SUMMATIVE CW
Finite Element Analysis & Stress Analysis B D21FB S Mohamed NO SUMMATIVE CW
Fire Safety, Explosions and Process Safety D21FR P Thompson
Foundation Engineering D21FE W J McCarter NO SUMMATIVE CW
Governance, Participation and Community Planning D41GV C McWilliams NO EXAM
Ground Engineering D21GG P Woodward NO SUMMATIVE CW
History of the Built Environment D31HH A Montarzino TBC NO SUMMATIVE CW
Human Factor Methods D21HM G Walker NO SUMMATIVE CW
Human Factors in the Design and Evaluation of Control Rooms D21CR G Walker NO SUMMATIVE CW
Human Factors D11HF S Payne NO SUMMATIVE CW
Innovative Technologies and Global Water Challenges D21GC A Drizo NO SUMMATIVE CW
Intake, Pretreatment, Post-treatment and Environmental Issues D21IP TBC NO SUMMATIVE CW
Integrated Water Resource Management D21IR L Beevers NO SUMMATIVE CW
International Property Markets & Investment D41IP E Trevillion NO SUMMATIVE CW
Irrigation Water Management D21IW B Sen Gupta NO SUMMATIVE CW
Learning from Disasters D21LD P Thompson
Low Carbon Buildings D11LC S Roaf G Menzies NO SUMMATIVE CW
Macroeconomics Finance and the Built Environment D41ME C A Jones NO SUMMATIVE CW
62

code
Marine Wastewater Discharges D21MW A Cuthbertson NO SUMMATIVE CW
Materials and Structures for Conservation D31MS P Banfill NO SUMMATIVE CW
Membrane Processes D21MP TBC NO SUMMATIVE CW
Modelling for Sustainable Building Design D11MD D Jenkins NO SUMMATIVE CW
People and Organisational Management in the Built Environment D31PO M Sun NO SUMMATIVE CW
Planning Theories D40PT C McWilliams
Project Management: Strategic Issues D31PS B Erdogan NO SUMMATIVE CW
Project Management Theory and Practice D31PT B Erdogan NO SUMMATIVE CW
Quantity Surveying Financial Management D31CF F Grant/H Hakim NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation 1 D41VC N Dunse NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation 2 D41VD N Dunse NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Development D41RD W Wu NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Economics D41RE C Leishman NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Investment Analysis D41IA E Trevillion NO SUMMATIVE CW
Real Estate Management and Sustainability D41AN C Elliot NO SUMMATIVE CW
Risk Assessment and Safety Management D21RA P Thompson
Safety, Risk and Reliability D21SR D Val NO SUMMATIVE CW
Service Procurement and Provision D31SQ TBC NO EXAM
Services and Technology for Conservation D31ST D Harris/P Banfill NO SUMMATIVE CW
Social Sustainability D41SS R Woolrych NO EXAM
Spatial Planning D41SP J McCarthy NO SUMMATIVE CW
Stability and Dynamics D21SD J Balfour NO SUMMATIVE CW
Strategic Spatial Vision Project D41SZ TBC NO EXAM
63

code
Statistical Modelling of the Environment D21MS S Patidar NO SUMMATIVE CW

Sustainability in Civil Engineering D21ST P Thompson NO SUMMATIVE CW
Sustainable Design and Development D41DD C Elliot/J Morgan NO SUMMATIVE CW
Systems Reliability D21SY D Val
Technical Networks and Urban Resilience D41TN F MacKillop NO SUMMATIVE CW
Thermal and Hybrid Processes D21TH TBC NO SUMMATIVE CW
Thermofluids D11TH F Wang NO SUMMATIVE CW
UK and International Housing Policy D41UK M Stephens NO EXAM
Urban Design for Health and Wellbeing not available 2016/17 D41UD S Payne NO EXAM
Urban Drainage and Water Supply D21UD S Arthur NO SUMMATIVE CW
Urban Economy and Property Markets D41EP C Jones
Value and Risk Management D31VR G Bowles NO SUMMATIVE CW
Ventilation and Air Conditioning D11VE F Wang NO SUMMATIVE CW
Water and Wastewater Treatment D21WW A Adeloye NO SUMMATIVE CW
Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings D21WC L Jack NO SUMMATIVE CW
64
PART B UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
The Academic Registry is responsible for producing Part B of the handbook to

provide information and assistance on University policies and support services.
It is important to read through Part A of the Handbook which provides more specific
information on the requirements of your particular programme of study. All flexible,
distributed and independent learners should contact the appropriate School in the
first instance for any academic query or assistance. Please contact Miss Jenny
Tough, Registry Officer (Quality and External Partnerships) or Mrs Michele
Stenhouse, Student Experience Manager, Academic Registry, on any query relating
to Part B of this handbook and this will be directed to the relevant staff.
Email: J.Tough@hw.ac.uk / M.R.Stenhouse@hw.ac.uk
Tel: + 44 (0)131 451 3292 / Tel: + 44 (0)131 451 4016
Please note that the following sections are standard sources of information provided
to all students. However, certain aspects are programme-specific and students
should refer to Part A where directed. Students are advised that the University will
make changes to study programmes and progression requirements from time to time
in accordance with strategic developments and it is therefore important to ensure
that students check the most recent version of their handbook for up-to-date
information.
B1. UNIVERSITY POLICY AND GUIDANCE
The University publishes policies and reference information on its website that may be of
use and of interest to students through the programme of their studies at Heriot-Watt
University
Wherever practicable, University policy is designed to include all members of the

Universitys community, both within and out with the main campus environments.
Important information for students is contained in the Student Learning Code of Practice.
This document is attached in Appendix A.
Policies of specific interest and relevance to students can be accessed via:
http://www1.hw.ac.uk/committees/ltb/ltb-policies.htm
B2. ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS
Heriot-Watt University has a detailed set of rules which governs the operation and
management of University business. These are referred to as Ordinances and these
Ordinances are set by the Court, which is the governing body of the University. The
Ordinances provide a regulatory framework for corporate governance,
The University Ordinances are supported by University Regulations which provide a

regulatory framework for the governance of academic-related matters which Staff and
Students must adhere to for all academic matters.
65
There are a number of policies and procedures that underpin the Ordinances and
Regulations.
The following section on Academic Support Services often refers to Ordinances and
Regulations. These links will provide you with information and guidance on all matters
relating to your academic life.
A full list of Ordinances and Regulations are available at the following web link:
http://www1.hw.ac.uk/ordinances/
B3. QUICK FINDER GUIDE TO ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES
How to use this guide.
The following guide lists academic support services and resources and provides
appropriate web links. The guide is divided into 10 sections:
1. Academic Support
2. Enrolment Attendance and Periods of Study
3. Guidance of Assessment
4. Examination and Re-assessment Procedures
5. Grading Awards and Qualifications
6. Graduation
7. Conduct, Discipline and Appeals
8. Complaints
9. Suspension, Withdrawal and Exit Award
10. Student Fees and Charges
1. Academic Support
On-campus students at Heriot-Watt University are provided with the following services, and
where possible we will seek to provide you with the same opportunities.
1.1 Personal Tutoring http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/personal-tutors.htm
Please note that a named tutor will be assigned to you.
1.2 Professional For further information and to access e-PDP templates:

Development http://www.hw.ac.uk/careers/pdp/index.php
Planning
1.3 Student Feedback Please communicate with your personal tutor in the first instance.
1.4 Learning and http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/learning-teaching.htm

Teaching
Materials
2. Enrolment, Attendance and Periods of Study
2.1 Recognition of http://www.hw.ac.uk/staff/policies-governance/procedures/charter-statutes-

Prior Learning & ordinances-regulations.htm
Credit Transfer Regulation 46 Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Policies and Procedures:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/services/academic-registry/quality/learning-
teaching/policy-bank.htm
2.2 Change of Please login to Student Self
Address www.hw.ac.uk/selfservice
Please refer to the programme information in Part A of this handbook for
66
further details on notifying a change of address to the relevant School.
2.3 Enrolment http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/enrolment.htm

further information on Enrolment.
2.4 Periods of Study Additional information is available from:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/staff/policies-governance/procedures/charter-statutes-
ordinances-regulations.htm
Regulation 3 Modular First Degrees, paragraph 6

Regulation 4 Postgraduate Diplomas and Graduate Diplomas,
paragraph 10
Regulation 18 Postgraduate Certificates and Graduate Certificates,
paragraph 10
Regulation 44 Mixed-Mode Study Modular First Degrees (for
undergraduates only), paragraph 4
Regulation 48 Higher Degrees of Master (Taught), paragraph 10

further details on Periods of Study.
2.5 Suspension of Students are advised to consult with their personal tutor /Year Co-
Studies ordinator/Director of Studies in the first instance
Further information and details of how to apply can be found here:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/leaving/temporary-suspension-
studies.htm
2.6 Data Protection http://www.hw.ac.uk/about/policies/data-protection.htm
3. Guidance on Assessment
3.1 Heriot-Watt http://www.hw.ac.uk/services/academic-registry/quality/learning-

Assessment and teaching/policy-bank.htm
Progression
System (HAPS) The University operates a 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. Please refer to the programme-specific
information in Part A of this handbook for further details on
progression requirements.
3.2 Extension to Please refer to the programme-specific information in Part A of this

Assessment handbook for further details on extensions to assessment deadlines.
Deadlines
3.3 Non-Submission Where applicable, students should inform their School if they are unable to
of submit assessed work for any reason.
Assessment
3.4 Submission of Please refer to the programme-specific information in Part A of this
Assessment handbook for further details on Submission of Assessment deadlines.
4. Examination and Re-assessment Procedures
4.1 Assessment http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/results.htm

Results
Please refer to the programme-specific information in Part A of this
handbook for further details on assessment results.
4.2 Discretionary http://www.hw.ac.uk/staff/policies-governance/procedures/charter-statutes-
67
Credits ordinances-regulations.htm
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
paragraph 20
paragraph 20
4.3 Examinations http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations.htm
Regulation 9 Assessments and Examinations, paragraph 9, 12, 13
Students should refer to the relevant School or institution for information on

fee requirements for the examination of courses for which they are enrolled.
4.4 Examination http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations.htm

Diets
further details on examination diets.
4.5 Examination http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/exam-conduct-id-

Conduct checks.htm
4.6 Ill Health and http://www.hw.ac.uk/staff/policies-governance/procedures/charter-statutes-

Mitigating ordinances-regulations.htm
Circumstances
Examinations Regulation 1 General Regulation, paragraph 6
Regulation 3 Modular First Degrees, paragraph 10, 15, 25
paragraph 12, 17, 21
Regulation 9 Assessments and Examinations, paragraph 9 and 12
Regulation 44 Mixed-Mode Study Modular First Degrees (for
undergraduates only), paragraph 8
Regulation 48 Higher Degrees of Master (Taught), paragraph 12, 17, 22
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/mitigating-
circumstances.htm
4.7 Examination in Policy:

Different Time http://www.hw.ac.uk/services/academic-registry/quality/learning-
Zones teaching/policy-bank.htm
4.8 Re-assessment Information on re-assessment can be found:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/reassessment/what-if-
i-fail-.htm
Re-assessment Procedures:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/re-assessment.htm
Please refer to the programme-specific information in Part A of this

handbook for further details on re-assessment.
4.9 Information on Information on student fees and charges:

Student Fees and http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/money/tuition-fees.htm
Charges
68
Ordinance E1 (previously Ordinance 2) Fees, Charges, Fines and
Debts
4.10 Use of Policy on the Use of Calculators:

Calculators http://www.hw.ac.uk/services/academic-registry/quality/learning-
in Examinations teaching/policy-bank.htm
Regulation 9 Assessments and Examinations, paragraph 8

4.11 Use of Dictionaries are not permitted in any examinations, wherever or
Dictionaries whenever the examination is held.
4.12 External Information on access to External Examiners reports:

Examiners http://www.hw.ac.uk/services/academic-registry/quality/qa/external-
Information and examiners.htm
Reports
List of External Examiners:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations.htm
5. Grading, Awards and Qualifications
5.1 Intermediate http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/record/awards.htm

Awards
5.2 Requirements for http://www.hw.ac.uk/staff/policies-governance/procedures/charter-statutes-
Awards ordinances-regulations.htm
Regulation 3 Modular First Degree, paragraph 14, 20, 23, 24

Regulation 4 Postgraduate Diplomas and Graduate Diplomas, paragraph
15, 16, 19, 21
Regulation 44 Mixed-Mode Study Modular First Degree (for
undergraduate students only), paragraph 17, 20
Regulation 48 Higher Degrees of Master (Taught), paragraph 15, 16,
20, 22
5.3 Undergraduate http://www.hw.ac.uk/staff/policies-governance/procedures/charter-statutes-

Honours ordinances-regulations.htm
Classification and
Awards Grading Regulation 3 Modular First Degrees, paragraph 14, 20, 25
6. Graduation
6.1 Graduation
Information http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/graduation.htm
7. Conduct, Discipline and Appeals
7.1 Academic Further Information is available from:

Conduct http://www.hw.ac.uk/staff/policies-governance/procedures/charter-statutes-
(including ordinances-regulations.htm
copying,
plagiarism and Regulation 9 Assessment and Examinations, Paragraph 8
collusion) Regulation 50 Student Discipline
69
Student Discipline Policy and Procedures:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/record/discipline.htm
Examination Conduct:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/exam-conduct-id-
checks.htm
7.2 Appeals Further Information is available at:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/complaints/student-appeals.htm
Student Academic Appeal Policy and Procedures

Regulation 36 - Student Academic Appeals
Appeals relating to all disciplinary matters are located within the Student
Discipline Policy and Procedures:
7.3 Detection of http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/plagiarism.htm

Plagiarism
7.4 Student The purpose of the Student Discipline Policy and Procedures is to regulate
Discipline Policy student behaviour in order to secure the proper working of the University in
and Procedures the broadest sense. These procedures cover both academic and non-
academic misconduct.
Further information is available from:

Misconduct and Law

At any time during enrolment a student is cautioned or arrested for, or
charges with a criminal offence, including motoring offences (see
exceptions) the student is required to report this immediately to the
Academic Registrar. The Academic Registrar must also be kept informed
of any criminal or court proceedings.
For further information on Misconduct and the Law see:

7.5 Plagiarism Further Information is available from:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/plagiarism.htm
Plagiarism Guide:
For an English language version, please refer to
teaching/policy-bank.htm (this document is attached in Appendix B)
For the Chinese language version, please refer to

For the Arabic language version, please refer to

7.7 Use of http://www.hw.ac.uk/staff/policies-governance/procedures/charter-statutes-

Unauthorised ordinances-regulations.htm
Equipment in
Exams Regulation 9 Assessment and Examinations, paragraph 8
Regulation 50 Student Discipline
8. Complaints
70
8.1 Complaints Policy Further information on the University's Complaints Policy and procedures
and Procedures is available from:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/complaints/complaints.htm
9. Suspension, Withdrawal and Exit Award
9.1 Suspension Students are advised to consult with their personal tutor /Year Co-
ordinator/Director of Studies in the first instance
Application forms are available on the current student website,
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/record/amending-your-
enrolment.htm
Further Information is available from:

paragraph 10
paragraph 10
9.2 Withdrawal Application Form to withdraw from the University:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/leaving/withdrawing-from-
university.htm
Before making any decision to withdraw, students are strongly

advised to speak to their Programme Director, personal tutor or other
trusted member of staff to discuss the situation fully.
9.3 Exit Awards Information and application form:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/record/awards.htm
10. Student Fees and Charges
10.1 Charges for Follow the link for Additional Notes on Fees at:
Transcripts, http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/doc/additionalfees-uk-alp-idl.pdf
Certifications and
Student Identity
Cards
10.2 Re-assessment http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/re-assessment.htm
Fees
and Procedures
10.3 Repeat and http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/money/tuition-fees.htm
Additional
Courses
B4. QUICK FINDER GUIDE TO STUDENT ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT

SERVICES
The following information describes a range of services aimed at helping students to get the
most out of their time on Heriot-Watt University programmes and to assist with, and remedy
any problems experienced along the way.
Students are encouraged to refer to the Universitys Code of Practice for the Management
of Multi-Location, Multi-Mode Programmes:
71
http://www1.hw.ac.uk/quality/cop-multi-location.htm
Students study for Heriot-Watt awards from all over the world and the University is therefore
committed to providing a range of online support services which will be available to any
student who requires it. In doing so, the University will attempt to ensure that all students
receive high quality and relevant services that support their studies.
The main student support services are summarised below. For further information on each
of the services, please refer to the Academic Registry Online Enrolment page:
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/enrolment.htm
Student Administration and Support Service
1. Study Support http://www.hw.ac.uk/is/skills-development/study-support.htm
2. Academic Registry http://www.hw.ac.uk/services/academic-registry.htm
3. Careers Service http://www1.hw.ac.uk/careers/global.php
4. Information Services General IT information: http://www.hw.ac.uk/is/

or contact IT Help on +44 (0)130 451 4045
5. Development and http://www.hw.ac.uk/alumni.htm

Alumni
Office
6. Heriot Watt University http://HWUnion.com
Students Union or contact info@hwunion.com
8. Student Service Centre http://www1.hw.ac.uk/studentcentre

(Edinburgh Campus)
9. Student Support http://www.hw.ac.uk/student-life/campus-life/student-support.htm

or contact:
studentsupport@hw.ac.uk
72
APPENDIX B
STUDENT LEARNING CODE OF PRACTICE - For Independent Learners
What Heriot-Watt University can expect from students
Most importantly, we expect you to take charge of your own learning. This is your degree; to get the
most of your time at the University you need to be independent, self-motivated and proactive in your
studies. We understand that you may have other demands on your time, but your studies should come
first. In addition, we expect:
Preparation for classes as specified by your lecturers, including studying lecture notes, working on
tutorial questions and participating in online activities. To do well in your studies you will need to
undertake a significant amount of private study
Basic organisational skills, including using a calendar so that you don't forget deadlines and
appointments
Attention, courtesy and participation in any discussion groups; this includes asking and answering
questions
Respecting deadlines for any assignments
Taking responsibility for your work, whether completed individually or as part of a group
Checking your University email, providing timely responses to emails from members of staff
Provision of feedback on your courses and programme
Commitment to your learning and a professional approach to your academic work
Self-reflection on progress and willingness to learn from feedback on tutorial work, projects, exams,
and trying to improve your work based on that feedback
Determination and persistence; some topics and problems will be challenging and we expect you to
make a sustained effort to master difficult topics. Heriot-Watt University staff are there to help if
you need it
To keep yourself informed about new and interesting developments in your discipline (beyond what
is covered in your courses)
Full referencing of all work *
Adherence with regulations and requirements
Politeness and respect for all members of the Heriot-Watt University community
(http://www.hw.ac.uk/about/careers/culture/our-values.htm ) and for the facilities/ services
provided. This includes switching off your phones and other social media during classes
.
* Full referencing is required in accordance with the conventions of your subject area/discipline.
Guidance on referencing and the use of sources is available from the Heriot-Watt University Information
Services Effective Learning Service (http://www.hw.ac.uk/is/skills-development/study-support.htm).
Remember that plagiarism is an academic offence even if it is unintentional; you need to take care to
avoid it.
73
What students can expect from Heriot-Watt University
Teaching is one of the most important duties for members of staff. Although members of academic staff
at Heriot-Watt University have research and administrative duties which also require attention, we aim
to provide:
Commitment to helping you learn, with support, encouragement and technical back-up to help you
develop your skills
Research informed teaching and high quality delivery of learning materials in accordance with the
syllabus
Advice and support on course content at tutorials, laboratories and through pre-arranged meetings
Appropriate supervision of project/dissertation work where this is part of your study programme
Clear information and guidance on assessment requirements
Availability for communications at pre-arranged times
Timely oral and written feedback
Timely provision of marks/grades for coursework and exams
A prompt response from your personal tutor (or programme/ course point of contact)
A timely response to general email questions
Guidance on specific regulations and requirements
Politeness and respect (http://www.hw.ac.uk/about/careers/culture/our-values.htm )
Sometimes members of staff are away on University business and are not able to respond as quickly as
normal. If this happens, they will leave an "out-of-office" message and will advise you who to contact
instead.
If you have a problem
If you have a personal or any other type of problem that is having an adverse effect on your studies,
please discuss it with your personal tutor (or programme/ course point of contact).
For problems about your course or study programme, talk to your personal tutor (or programme/
course point of contact) in the first instance. If you need further help, you can contact the University
for guidance (refer to your student handbook for details of who to contact).
Academic Registrar
September 2013; rev January 2014, rev April 2016
74
APPENDIX B
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 Universitys disciplinary
procedures, which may result in penalties ranging from the deduction of credits and modules
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
http://www.hw.ac.uk/students/studies/examinations/plagiarism.htm for further details of how the
University deals with all acts of plagiarism.
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.
Definition
1.3. Plagiarism involves the act of taking the ideas, writings or inventions of another person and using
these as if they were ones 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.
1.4. 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.
Good Practice
1.5. Academic work is almost always drawn from other published information supplemented by the
writers 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.
1.6. 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
75
APPENDIX B
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).
1.7. 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:
1.7.1. 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 students work and it is still considered to be an act of
plagiarism.
1.7.2. 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.
1.8. 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:
1.8.1. 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 elses
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.
76
APPENDIX B
1.8.2. 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 1980s [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 1980s [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.
1.8.3. 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:
Authors 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:
Authors 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:
Authors or Institutions 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)
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
77
APPENDIX B
within your work and what the source is within your reference list. Failure to do so is an act of
plagiarism.
1.9. 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.
Managing Plagiarism
1.10. 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/staff/policies-
governance/procedures/charter-statutes-ordinances-regulations.htm 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.
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.
78

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Heriot-Watt University is a registered charity in Scotland, SC026900

School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society

Independent Distance Learning

1 SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 3

2 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. .. 7

3 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY AND

4 HOW DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE STUDY WORKS........................................ ....... 9

7 ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESSION ................................................................................... 19

8 RESEARCH DISSERTATION / RESEARCH PROJECTS /

10 FURTHER SCHOOL INFORMATION ................................................................................. 28

PART B UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

B1 UNIVERSITY POLICY AND GUIDANCE

B2 ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS

B3 QUICK FINDER GUIGE TO ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

B4 QUICK FINDER GUIDE TO STUDENT ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES

APPENDIX A - STUDENT LEARNING CODE OF PRACTICE - For Independent Learners

1 SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION

1.1 SIGNIFICANT DATES IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR

ON CAMPUS TERM SESSION DATES 2016/17

BLOCK 2 TEACHING (12 WEEKS) 9 JANUARY - 31 MARCH 2017

GRADUATION 20 - 23 JUNE 2017

REASSESSMENT EXAM DIET 3 - 11 AUGUST 2017

GRADUATION 16 & 17 NOVEMBER 2017

Please see the next page for

Distance Learning Entry Dates

Course/Exam Application Deadlines for new and continuing students

Coursework Submission Dates

Dissertation/Research Project Submission Dates

1.3 LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION/SERVICES

Carbon and Energy Dr Gillian Menzies 4663 g.f.menzies@hw.ac.uk

INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY, HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT AND REAL ESTATE

Programme title (MSc/PG Programme Leader Phone Email address

Details of Course Co-ordinators can be found on individual course descriptors at

Administrator (Recruitment and

Mrs Karen Biggar

Mr David Cowie 4623

Ms Emma Davidson 3673 egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk

Mrs Vivienne Batho

2.1 Welcome from the Principal

Professor Richard A Williams OBE

2.2 Welcome from Head of School

Professor Gareth Pender

3 General Information about Heriot-Watt University and the School

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

3.3 General aims

To provide an academically sound and vocationally relevant postgraduate education for

2. Check assessment method for the course or courses selected.

3. Complete online enrolment for the current academic year.

5. Access course material on VISION and begin studying.

6. Complete course assessment:

Coursework: a number of courses have summative or formative assessment by

Examinations: a larger number of courses have assessment by examination. Check

8. Continue with further courses.

Information about Research Dissertation/Research Projects/Masters Dissertation can be

And in Part B of this handbook:

Type of Award being studied Recommended period Maximum Period*

Postgraduate Certificate (f/t) 6 months 2 years

Postgraduate Certificate (p/t) 12 months 4 years

Postgraduate Diploma (f/t) 9 months 2 years

Postgraduate Diploma (p/t) 1.5 - 2 years 4 years

Postgraduate Masters Degree (p/t) 2.5 - 3 years 7 years

Further information on this issue can be found at http://www.hw.ac.uk/ordinances/regulations.pdf for:

Regulation 4 Postgraduate Diplomas and Graduate Diplomas, paragraph 10