If your question is not answered below, please get in touch via our contact form at the end of this page. If you wish to raise a concern anonymously, please instead complete the HWU Sports Union Reporting Form.

Online Booking FAQs

How do I log in to book online?
All Heriot-Watt students are pre-registered with Oriam and must log in using this existing account. Please check your student email account for a welcome email from Oriam entitled ‘Are you ready to join the Watt family’ that will include your 4 digit password and allow you to log in and book. If you cannot find this email, please click on the reset password button and follow the instructions, using your student email address. If you are still having no luck, or you have locked your account, please use the form at the end of this page to contact us and we’ll get it fixed for you. Please don’t create your own account from scratch as you will not have access to student activities and prices!
Do I need a membership to book online?
All activity in the ‘Student Tasters’ section on the Our Oriam app is free to all Heriot-Watt students and does not require Oriam or Sports Union membership. All other activity in any other section on the app requires either Oriam membership or can be booked on a pay-as-you-go basis.

All Heriot-Watt students are pre-registered with Oriam and must log in using this existing account. Please check your student email account for a welcome email from Oriam that will include your 4 digit password and allow you to log in and book. If you cannot find this email, please click on the reset password button and follow the instructions, using your student email address. If you are still having no luck, or you have locked your account, please use the form at the end of this page to contact us and we’ll get it fixed for you. Please don’t create your own account from scratch as you will not have access to student activities and prices!
Why can’t I book or join the waiting list for a Student Taster Session?
You must be eligible to book a session or join the waiting list. If you are unable to do either, this will be because our system does not have you listed as a student and therefore thinks you are ineligible to book. If this is happening to you please use the contact form below to get in touch.
I thought I had purchased my membership but I am getting error messages when I try to book:
This usually means that your membership has been added to your account but you have not paid. You can check this on the Oriam app by going to ‘Your Basket’. If your membership is there, you can go through the payment stage and then you’ll be able to book. If you think you have already paid (i.e. the payment has been taken from your back account) please do not go through the payment stage again and instead contact us using the form below and we will get it resolved for you.

Membership FAQs

How do I join a Sports Union Club?
You can buy your Oriam Student Membership and join any of our Sport Union Clubs online. Check out our online joining guide to find out how.
I’m based at the Borders Campus. Can I join a Sports Union Club?
Yes! If you have Tri-Fitness Membership you can purchase an Oriam Borders Top-up and then join any Sports Union Club. Borders Top-up membership needs to be purchased in person at Oriam, with proof of your valid Tri-Fitness Membership. If you’re not a Tri-Fitness member, you are welcome to purchase any of our other Oriam Student Memberships which are all available online.
Can I join more than one club?
Absolutely! Once you have your Oriam student membership (Gold, Silver, Bronze or Borders Top-up), you can join as many Sports Union Clubs as you like. Please note that if you have an Oriam “non-facility” membership you will only be able to join Cycling and/or Mountaineering.
How much does it cost to join a Sports Union Club?
Each of our Clubs set their price for the year based on their club budget, in agreement with the Sport Union. Membership fees are listed for each club on our Club Training Timetable. Please note that you will need your Oriam student membership before you can join a Sports Union Club (see How do I join a Sports Union Club?).
I am not a Heriot-Watt student. Can I join a Sports Union Club?
A small number of our Sports Union Clubs currently accept members who are not students at Heriot-Watt. Non-students can join the Aikido Club or Taekwondo Club online, providing you have at least an off-peak Oriam membership, and can join the Squash Club online providing you have full Oriam membership (not off-peak). The Sports Union also has special arrangements in place for non-students to join the Football Club and the Fencing Club. Please contact us using the form at the end of this page if you would like to find out more about joining Football or Fencing as a non-student.
My Sports Union Club does not train at Oriam and I don’t intend to use the facilities myself. Why do I need an Oriam membership?
Oriam invests heavily in the Sports Union, helping to centrally fund coaching, transport, entry fees and covering the cost of hiring external facilities. Without income from student memberships, it would not be possible to fund so many clubs and keep Sports Union Club membership prices relatively low.

General FAQs

Do I need to have previous experience in the sport to join a club?
The vast majority of Sports Union Clubs are suitable for complete beginners and we would actively encourage you to try something brand new, although clubs such a Swimming will need you to have a basic ability for safety reasons. If you’re unsure, please do contact the club directly and they will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Will I have time to participate in sport on top of my studies?
As long as you are organised, then absolutely! Being part of one of our Clubs is a brilliant way to give structure to your week and help you to de-stress. British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) research recently showed that sports participants gain a higher percentage of first class and upper second-class degrees, so being part of a Sports Club is actually good for your studies! You also have Wednesday afternoons timetabled as ‘Sport, Community & Wellbeing Time’ so make the most of this by playing some sport!
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