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Last updated on 27 May '26Heriot Watt UniversityWhat's new?
- Admissions for UG courses are expected to open from Jun 30, 2026 via UCAS Extra
- The admissions for PG courses vary by program
About Heriot Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It began in 1821. Accredited by the UK Quality Assurance Agency, it is the world's first mechanics' institute and is popular among students for its STEM courses, practical hands-on experience, strong links in the industry, and a supportive and welcoming environment.
Recognised as part of the Research Excellence Framework 2021, the university has an active research culture and maintains strong connections with global research institutes to help solve real-world problems. Mathematical Science, Physics, Architecture, and Engineering are among the popular areas of research at Heriot-Watt. Its quality of STEM courses can be determined by the fact that it is part of the top 30 universities in the UK for Engineering, in the top 40 for Natural Sciences, and top 50 for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
The Heriot Watt University Acceptance Rate is 60%, which suggests it is moderately selective in admitting students and gives priority to those with a good academic background.
Heriot-Watt University Information
Given below are some facts you should be aware of about studies at Heriot-Watt Scotland.
| Fact | Validation |
|---|---|
| Location | Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom |
| Endowment (2023) | GBP 12.2 million |
| Total Students | 27,000 |
| Undergraduate Students | 6,350 |
| International Students | 2,310 |
| Postgraduate-Taught students | 1,565 |
| Student to Staff Ratio | 16:1 (Source: Unofficial) |
| Alumni Network | 173,000 from more than 190 countries |
| Media | Heriot-Watt University News |
| Sporting Affiliation | British Universities and Colleges Sport and Boxing Scotland |
History
It began as a school at the St Cecilia's Concert Hall at Niddry Street, Edinburgh, welcoming around 300 students for its first lecture in Chemistry. Horner came up with the idea to start a school that offered evening classes to the working men in the region, and received financial backing from the locals, which led to the start of the Edinburgh School of Arts.
Students can read the Study Guide to the UK for Indian Students
Check out the videos below to know what it's like to be a student at Heriot-Watt.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Yes, Heriot Watt is a very good option for Indian students planning to study in the UK. It is one of the top 50 universities in the UK.
The university maintains strong links in the industry and is known for quality placements, and high research quality. The university research is recognised by the Research Excellence Framwork.
It also maintains a global presence with campuses in Dubai and Malaysia, as well.
No, Heriot-Watt is not a part of the Russell Group Universities in UK. However, it is one of the top 3 universities in Scotland, as part of the latest Shiksha Rankings.
The Heriot Watt University Ranking in Scotland is #3. This makes it a great choice for students planning higher studies in Scotland.
Heriot-Watt is one of the top 10 universities in Scotland, per the latest Shiksha Rankings. The reason many students consider it for higher studies is because of its practical teaching methods, strong links across industries, and the overall quality of research.
Student get the chance to work at some of the best companies in the UK as part of the program. This means they gain industry experience even before graduating.
Heriot Watt University Ranking 2026
One of the top universities in the UK, the Heriot Watt University ranks at #39 in the UK in 2026, as per Shiksha. For 2026, the Heriot Watt University World Ranking is #271. Subject rankings of Heriot-Watt University are also mentioned below:
| Heriot-Watt University Course Name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (World) | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| BA | - | #118 |
| MA | #570 | #82 |
| MArch | #119 | #20 |
| Others PG | #606 | #95 |
| MS | #204 | #27 |
| BSc | - | #35 |
| BE or BTech | - | #20 |
| BBA | - | #33 |
By Other Ranking Bodies
Apart from Shiksha rankings, platforms like The Guardian, The Complete University Guide, and QS World have also ranked the university highly, as listed below:
- The Complete University Guide ranks it #25 in the UK in 2026
- The Guardian ranks it #31 among colleges and universities in the United Kingdom in 2026
- The Heiort Watt University Global Ranking 2026 is #401, as per Times Higher Education
#271
#39
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Heriot-Watt is one of the best engineering universities in the UK for Indian students in 2026. Mentioned below is how prominent university ranking platforms like The Guardian and The Complete University Guide rank Heriot-Watt Uni for its Engineering programs:
| Platform | Engineering Rank |
|---|---|
| The Guardian - UK Ranking (Mechanical Engineering) | #8 |
| The Complete University - UK Ranking (Computer Science) | #33 |
The HWU QS Ranking 2026 is #287 in the world. The university has maintained its place among the top 300 universities in the world, for several years. Given below are the Heriot Watt University Rankings of the last 3 years.
| Year | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World Rank | #287 | #256 | #235 |
Heriot Watt Uni has maintained its standing consistently over the last few years, as part of the university rankings given by prominent platforms like The Guardian, The Complete University Guide, and THE.
Given below is how the Heriot Watt University UK Rankings have changed in the last 3 years.
| Platform | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE World Rankings | #401 | #401 | #351 |
| The Guardian UK | #31 | #66 | #85 |
| Complete University Guide UK | #25 | #40 | #44 |
Heriot Watt University Programs
You can choose from 123 Master's, 110 Bachelor's, and 65 research programs when it comes to Courses at Heriot-Watt. You do get the flexibility of pursuing these courses at your own pace, while some are also available online. The average duration of the UG and Doctorate courses is around 3-4 years, and 1-2 years for most PG courses.
Heriot-Watt University Popular Courses
Engineering, Business and Management, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Construction Project Management, Interior Architecture, and Fashion Design are among the popular courses pursued by students at Heriot-Watt.
Heriot-Watt University Online Courses
The university offers several online degree and certification programs that can be pursued at your own pace. The university delivers these courses via its online platform and gives you around 26 self-paced options.
Computer Science, Energy, Brewing, Urban Design, and Business Analytics are some of the options for you to consider.
4.2(3)12 months - 2 years
14.5K+ students got admitted through us.
4.5(1)12 months - 2 years
We can fast-track your application in a week.
Guided 4.5K students to UK universities.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Yes, an online degree at Heriot-Watt Uni carries the same value as a degree on-campus. Both degrees follow the same curriculum. The mode of delivery is the only difference.
An online degree at HW Uni allows studies for lower costs and less hassle of travel.
BENg (Hons) in Chemical Engineering is the best course offered by Heriot-Watt. It ranks among the top 10 universities in the UK for this program.
The programme is accredited by IChemE, and offers students a more practical learning environment. Students get to learn important chemical engineering concepts like fluid mechanics, heat/mass transfer, and reaction engineering by performing experiments at the university labs under the supervision of experienced faculty members.
Online degree students of the Heriot-Watt Uni take their exams at approved and secure testing centers near their home location. The university partners with several centers across the globe to conduct exams for its online students.
Some tests can also be taken on a student's PC using a safe and invigilated online testing platform.
Heriot Watt University Admission 2026
Indian students need to submit a UCAS application for Heriot-Watt University Admission for UG courses. For PG courses, students can apply directly via the university website. Heriot-Watt advises students to submit the application at least 6 weeks in advance of the deadline, as the processing of personal and academic documents usually takes longer.
Heriot-Watt University Application Deadline 2026
Given below are the upcoming deadlines at Heriot-Watt.
| Application Type | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| UCAS Final Deadline | Jun 30, 2026 |
| PG Courses | Varies by Program |
Heriot-Watt University Eligibility Criteria
- Official documents of all past studies
- English Proficiency by IELTS, TOEFL-iBT, or PTE Academic
- Financial Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
- Valid passport
- Essay
- Personal Statement
Heriot Watt University Entry Requirements for Indian Students PG
- A 3-year UG degree with a minimum of 60%, compared to a 2:1 UK Degree or 55% in a degree comparable to a 2:2 degree in the UK
- A 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 in IELTS, or a 68 overall, with no less than 63 in PTE Academic, or a TOEFL-iBT score of 85 with no band less than 19 is needed.
Heriot Watt University Admission Requirements for Indian Students UG
- Class 12th with a minimum overall average of 70%.
- For Computing or Design programmes, an overall score of 65% is enough
- For Actuarial Science or Statistics programs an overall 75%, with a minimum 80% in Maths is required.
- Some courses may also ask for a valid SAT or ACT score.
- An IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 5.5, or a TOEFL-iBT score of 79 with no less than 17 in any section, or a PTE academic score of 63 with no less than 59 is needed.
- Application fees :Pound 18
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Yes, students from any of the Heriot-Watt UK campus can transfer to its Dubai or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer. This can be done using the Go Global from the UK programme of the university.
Students can request for a transfer in using the MyHWU - Inter-Campus Transfer application on the Student Self Service portal.
For undergraduate courses, Heriot-Watt University aims to make decisions typically around Mid-May for the applications submitted in January. These decisions will be available on UCAS Track. In the case of postgraduate applications, all applications are carefully considered by the appropriate staff in the relevant school and the applicants are going to receive a response as soon as possible. For some programs, where the volume of applications is too high, the applicants should hear back from Heriot-Watt University within 6 weeks.
As such, Heriot-Watt University has not specified application fee for graduate courses. In case of admission to the undergraduate courses, the applicants are required to apply via UCAS. So, to apply for the undergraduate courses, the applicants have to pay the application fee as mentioned at UCAS. worth around GBP 28.95 (INR 3.5 K).
For courses in Dubai you would have to pay AED 300 (INR 7.3 K) per application, and RM 500 (INR 11 K) for some courses in Malaysia.
Heriot Watt UniversityHeriot Watt University Scotland Scholarships for Indian Students 2026
There's no shortage of scholarship options available to Indian students at Heriot-Watt. The university offers several scholarships on merit and some on need to help students finance their studies. These can cover a large portion of your tuition costs, with some covering 50% of the tuition costs. Given below are some popular Heriot-Watt University Scholarships for Indian students.
| Scholarship Type | Scholarship Name | Financial Award | Course Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merit-based | International Merit Scholarship | GBP 1,500-GBP 3,000 (INR 33 K-INR 66 K) | UG or PG |
| Need or Merit-based | Emerging Economies Scholarship | GBP 3,000 (INR 66 K) off on tuition costs | PG |
| Merit-based | High Achiever's Scholarship (Malaysia) | RM 5,000-RM 12,000 (INR 1.1 L-INR 2.64 L) per year for tuition cover | UG |
| Merit-based | GREAT Scholarship | Up to GBP 10,000 (INR 22 L) | UG or PG |
1 GBP = INR 120.72 and 1 RM = INR 22.02
How to get a Scholarship at Heriot-Watt?
Each scholarship has its own set of requirements. However, given below are some general requirements to be met by everyone.
- Should be an International student
- Should have an admission offer in the course of your choice
- Submit class 12th completion or UG degree certificates
- Make sure to submit your application on time
- Should not be receiving financial help from other sources
- Paying the overseas fee rate
- Pay the initial fee deposit
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Scholarship deadlines at HWU Scotland vary for different financial aids. Deadline for most merit scholarships at Heriot Watt Uni is generally between May 31 and Jun 20 for the Sep intake.
Check the HWU Scholarship page on Shiksha Study Abroad for scholarship-specific deadlines.
Indian students don't need to submit a separate scholarship application for most financial aid programs at HWU Scotland. The university asseses students as per their admission application.
However, scholarships such as the Sports Scholarship and external scholarships (like Chevening or Commonwealth) do need a separate application.
Yes, Heriot-Watt offers a variety of scholarships for international students. The university is providing over GBP 500,000 in scholarships to international students enrolling in September or Janurary intake. Some popular scholarships given to international students are:
- Alumni Discount Scheme Centre for Social and Economic Data Analytics Scholarship
- Club Performance Scholarships Funds for Women Graduates (FFWG) grants
- Individual Sports Scholarships
Heriot Watt University Popular Courses
1 yearHeriot Watt UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
4 Verified Reviews- 67% students never faced discrimination in this university
(1) 1 person found this helpful(1) 1 person found this helpful(1) 1 person found this helpfulHeriot Watt University Job Outcomes
As an Indian student at Heriot-Watt, you get access to a wide range of career services provided by the Career Service Department. The university organises skill-development workshops, provides guidance related to interviews and CVs, helps you prepare for interviews, and find jobs that best match your profile.
Heriot-Watt University Placement Rate
Around 84% of the Class of 2024 graduates were able to get jobs, 15 months after the completion of their studies, as part of the Heriot-Watt University Placements. Given below are some key stats that came to light in the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey.
| Fact | Validation |
|---|---|
| On-Campus Employer Events | 171 |
| Number of Jobs Available on Career Service | 6,702 |
| Percentage of Graduates who found jobs | 84% |
ROI After Education
The university has not released official figures for the average salary earned by graduates. The average salary earned by graduates across different roles in Edinburgh is around GBP 37,000 (INR 44.66 L) per year.
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
HWU grads are working in top companies across sectors like Finance, Energy, IT, and Real Estate. Check the table below for the top companies by sector that hire from Heriot-Watt Uni UK:
| Sector | Top Companies Hiring HWU Graduates |
|---|---|
| Energy and Engineering | Siemens Energy, SLB, and TotalEnergies |
| Finance and Banking | Llyods Banking Group, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, and KPMG |
| Technology & IT | IBM, Microsoft, Qualcomm. Wipro, and Capgemini |
| Real Estate | CBRE, Arup, and JLL |
Yes, Heriot Watt UK offers both mandatory and optional industry placements to Indian students as part of its courses. The course structure and duration of the work placement vary as per the chosen degree, campus, and programme level.
Several UG and PG degree courses come with a mandatory placement year and carries credits. Some popular ones are listed below:
- MSc in International Business Management with Advanced Practice
- MA in Fashion and Textile Design
- MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Application
- MSc in Civil Engineering
- BSc (Hons) in Computer Science and Diploma in Industrial Training
- BSc (Hons) in Actuarial Science
Yes, Heriot-Watt Uni offers extensive career support to its Indian students to help prepare them for the job market. Listed below are some key career services the university offers to help students find their dream job:
- Specialist career consultants offering counseling, CV reviews, and mock interviews
- International Student Workshops by the Career and Graduate Future Services
- Access to annual career fairs to connect students with 150+ top-tier UK based on global employers
Heriot Watt University Cost for Indian Students 2026
GBP 20,080-GBP 25,808 (INR 24.24 L-INR 31.15 L) for most UG and GBP 20,456- GBP 28,952 (INR 24.7 L-INR 34.95 L) per year are the Heriot-Watt University Fees for Indian Students, for most PG courses. The cost can vary for courses across the different campuses. An MBA at the Malaysia campus is around RM 73,935 (INR 16.26 L).
Cost of Living for Indian Students in the UK
Given below is a breakdown of the estimated cost of living for Indian students in Edinburgh.
| Component | Monthly Cost in GBP | Monthly Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | GBP 373-GBP 1,536 | INR 45 K-INR 1.85 L |
| Food | GBP 400 | INR 48.2 K |
| Healthcare | GBP 300 | INR 36.2 K |
| Transportation | GBP 54 | INR 6.5 K |
| Mobile and Internet | GBP 40 | INR 4.8 K |
| Total | GBP 1,167-GBP 2,330 | INR 1.4 L-INR 2.8 L |
1 GBP = INR 120.70
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
M.Sc.(95 courses) | INR 14 L - 50 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 79 - 85, PTE: 58 - 68 |
MBA/PGDM(44 courses) | INR 20 L - 38 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 79 - 85, PTE: 58 - 68 |
B.E. / B.Tech(34 courses) | INR 20 L - 33 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4-5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL, PTE: 50 - 65 |
B.Sc.(37 courses) | INR 20 L - 66 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 3-5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL, PTE: 50 - 65 |
BBA(20 courses) | INR 20 L - 27 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 3-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL, PTE: 50 - 63 |
B.A.(31 courses) | INR 20 L - 26 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL, PTE: 50 - 65 |
M.A.(11 courses) | INR 14 L - 32 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 79 & Above, PTE: 58 - 68 |
B.Arch(4 courses) | INR 20 L - 25 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4-5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL, PTE: 50 - 65 |
M.Arch(2 courses) | INR 25 L - 27 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL, PTE: 65 & Above |
M.Des(1 course) | INR 27 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL, PTE: 65 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Indian students need to make a GBP 4,000 (INR 5.1 Lakhs) deposit to confirm enrolment at the Heriot-Watt Uni UK. This deposit allows students to get their CAS letter from the university. The CAS can then be used to get the UK student visa to study in the country.
1 GBP = INR 127.33
Yes, the Heriot-Watt Uni does allow Indian students to pay their fees in fixed installments. Students can opt for a six-month instalment plan by following the steps below:
- Go to the online payment portal
- Select 'Pay Your Fees Online'
- Log in
- Select 'Recurring Card Plan'
For all recurring card plans, instalments are taken on the 15th of the month.
Indian students at the Heriot-Watt Uni are required to pay their tuition fees in full within 30 days of their programme start date. Students can also set up an 6-month instalment plan to pay their fees over the semester (on the 15th of every month from October to March).
Students can pay their fees at HWU using Convera.
Heriot Watt University Notable Alumni
Entertaining People, teaching the next generation, producing music, and writing thrilling novels are things Notable Alumni of Heriot-Watt are known for. The likes of Novelist Irene Welsh, Actress Nivetha Pethuraj, and Novelist Muriel Spark have all pursued their studies at HWU. Mentioned below are some other popular names to have pursued their education at Heriot-Watt Scotland.
| Name | Known For | Alumnus |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Hendry |
Scottish Professional Wrestler Former TNA World Champion, currently signed to WWE Graduated with a Master's in Business and Marketing |
|
| Kygo |
Norwegian Record Producer Came to the limelight for his song "I See Fire" with Ed Sheeran Pursued a course in Business and Finance |
|
| Ruaridh Mollica |
Scottish Actor and Writer Known for his role in the film, Sebastian Graduated with a BSc in Computer Science in 2021 |
|
| Jack Ross |
Scottish Professional Football Coach Former Manager at Dundee United Graduated with an MA in Economics |
|
| Nivetha Pethuraj |
Indian Actress Won the Miss India UAE Pageant in 2015 Graduated with a degree in Human Resource Management |
.jpg/250px-Photos-Celebrities-snapped-attending-the-press-conference-of-Das-Ka-Dhamki-5_(cropped).jpg) |
College comparison
Compare Heriot Watt University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 13.56 L - 50.42 L | #25 CUG, 2026 | |
| INR 25.5 K - 32.63 L | #41 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 19.1 L - 52.46 L | #19 Guardian, 2026 | |
| INR 8.53 L - 56.3 L | #17 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 15.88 L - 31.57 L | #12 Guardian, 2026 | |
| INR 24.25 L - 37.11 L | #31 CUG, 2026 |
CompareHeriot Watt UniversityStudying in UK
Key Facts About UK
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Heriot Watt University Campuses
At Heriot-Watt University, you are exposed to a diverse and supportive environment, a welcoming student community from more than 190 countries, more than 80 student clubs and societies, 24/7 accessible libraries, digital learning spaces, on-campus housing, dining, and several student support services, and more.
Heriot-Watt University Campus Location
The university maintains a global presence, with 3 campuses in the UK, based in Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, and Orkney, and 2 international campuses based in the Dubai Knowledge Park in the UAE and lakeside in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The Heriot Watt University Edinburgh Campus is spread around an area of 380 acres, and is also the university's main campus.
Heriot Watt University Campus Life
Given below are some key features of the student life at Heriot Watt University UK.
- The Student Support department helps with everything, whether that be mental health counselling, disability support, medical, dental, or nursing services, career support, spiritual and social well-being, and more.
- For housing, you can choose to stay as part of the on-campus residence halls that include more than 2,000 rooms of student accommodation, with separate facilities for UG, PG, and Exchange students. These come equipped with all essential services.
Commonly asked questions On Others
Yes, the Heriot-Watt University UK campus is safe for Indian students. This was verified by students who are currently studying or who already studied there as part of the Heriot-Watt student reviews on Shiksha Study Abroad.
The university received 5 stars for security as part of the student reviews.
Yes, you can find Indian food at the Heriot-Watt Uni campus. The main food hall, Central, serves several Indian dishes. Among them, the spicy Indian curry is very popular. The Indian food is mainly served on wednesdays.
Students who wish to eat Indian on most days, can find many restaurants near the university campus.
Take the Lothian Bus 25. The bus runs every 10-15 minutes from the city centre. It takes around 40-50 minutes to reach the campus from there.
Students can also take a train to Curriehill station. The station is only a short walk from the campus.
Heriot Watt University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
US News has been known as one of the top ranking bodies of the world for its accurate rankings derived from a lot of different factors.
For the Global Universities category rankings 2025, some of the factors on which Heriot Watt University is evaluated are given below -
- Global Research Reputation
- Publ
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Heriot Watt University is a popular university for which Indian students apply due to its good ranking. As per the QS rankings 2026, this university ranked #128 and by THE, it was #401.
The Heriot-Watt top courses available for Indian students are given below -
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Hospita
L
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, Heriot Watt University is ranked by the US World and News in the year 2025. The rankings are not that great as per the Global standards.
It also releases National, Global, Regional and Subject Rankings. In the Global University category, Heriot Watt ranks at #937 in 2025 and it shows a decreasi
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, the Business and Management courses at Heriot Watt University are ranked really well and they are quite popular among Indian students. Particularly, the MSc International Business Management and MBA programs.
The Complete University Guide ranked the Business and Management courses at #37 which
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Heriot-Watt remains a university with strong academic standing and it is ranked at #38 in the UK by Shiksha Popularity rankings which makes it really popular among international students.
The Heriot Watt Mathematics and Architecture programs are ranked well the top ranking bodies like Times Higher E
P
Contributor-Level 10
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Edinburgh Campus
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ClassroomHeriot Watt UniversityLocation
| University City | Edinburgh, Scotland, UK |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 4,64,990 |
Heriot Watt UniversityCampuses
Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Scotland UK EH14 4AS, UK
Visit official siteGalashiels, Scotland UK TD1 3HF
Visit official siteOrkney Campus Franklin Road Stromness Orkney KW16 3AN
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