01 Identity
Scottish charity record
- OSCR charity number
- SC011949
- Status
- Active
- Regulatory type
- Standard
- Designated religious body
- No
- Geographical spread
- A specific local point, community or neighbourhood
- Volunteers
- 1-50 volunteers
- Staff
- 42
- Postcode
- EH14 4AS
02 Purpose and work
What the charity exists to do
To provide support, guidance, advice and services to the students of Heriot Watt University to improve their experience whilst studying at the University.
Charitable purposes
- the advancement of education
- the advancement of citizenship or community development
- the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended
- the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Beneficiaries
- Other defined groups
Activities
- It carries out activities or services itself
Constitutional objectives
The objects of the Union (“the Objects”) shall be: 1. The advancement of education of students at Heriot-Watt University by representing, supporting, advising and promoting the interests, health and welfare of students within the University during their course of study and within the wider community, and by promoting student participation in, facilitating, co-ordinating and developing, the services, projects and activities of the Union. 2. The provision of recreational activities through the services, projects and activities of the University providing social, cultural, and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its Students. 3. The advancement of community development within the University and within the wider community through student participation in the Union and its services, projects and activities, and by facilitating the involvement of students in the wider community. 4. The relief of the student needs by being the recognised representative channel between Students and Heriot-Watt University, other academic organisation, the general public and any other external bodies and promoting social and academic unity among students of the University.
03 Annual returns
Income and expenditure history
| Year end | Income | Expenditure | Staff | Return received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2025 | £5,955,162 | £3,191,298 | 42 | 13 April 2026 |
| 31 July 2024 | £3,038,230 | £2,935,180 | 42 | 28 April 2025 |
| 31 July 2023 | £2,758,493 | £2,679,780 | 42 | 17 April 2024 |
| 31 July 2022 | £1,851,792 | £2,013,292 | 42 | 8 March 2023 |
| 31 July 2021 | £1,289,321 | £1,453,529 | 42 | 22 March 2022 |
Figures are those reported by the charity and supplied in the OSCR bulk download. Blank facts remain distinct from zero.
04 Contact record
Principal office or trustees address
- Address supplied to OSCR
- Riccarton, Edinburgh
- Website supplied to OSCR
- www.hwunion.com
- Parent charity
- Not supplied
No direct external links on this profile. The official OSCR record and source documentation are available through BritDB’s dedicated source page.
05 Provenance
Source for this profile
© Crown Copyright and database right 2026. Contains information from the Scottish Charity Register supplied by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. BritDB is an independent service and does not claim to be the Scottish Charity Register.