Heriot-Watt University

Overview

  • Heriot-Watt University he is highly respected around the world, with a strong emphasis on business, engineering, design and the physical and life sciences

  • Culturally diverse, warm and welcoming, Heriot-Watt University is one of the most modern universities in Scotland with a global footprint. It received the Times Higher Education ‘International University of the Year’ 2018 award.

  • Within six months of graduation, 95 per cent of Heriot-Watt first degree graduates were in jobs or further studies and it is the number 1 university in Scotland with the highest-paid salaries (Times Higher Education). Due to the essence of the university’s research-informed education, multinational corporations actively seek out Heriot-Watt graduates.


  • History

    Heriot-Watt University is the UK’s eighth oldest higher education institution and was founded in 1821 as the Edinburgh School of Arts, the world’s first institute of mechanics. By Royal Charter, it became a university in 1966. The University has a tradition of quality teaching and practical study. A truly global university with five campuses, including locations in Malaysia with over 1,200 students and Dubai with nearly 4,000 students.

    The Heriot-Watt University has state-of-the-art campuses in Edinburgh, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai that provide a unique educational environment. In Edinburgh, the main campus occupies an area of 380 acres with residential buildings, student residences, libraries, health and sports facilities and the office of the student union. Exchange programs between the Emirates and the UK are supported by the Dubai campus. The purpose-built campus is considered to be the first ‘green campus’ in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

    Location

    There are six Heriot-Watt campuses in all: the main one in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels, the Dubai Campus in Dubai Academic City, the Orkney Campus in Stromness in the far north of Scotland, a new campus in Putrajaya, Malaysia, for MBA students, and an affiliation with West London College. The main campus, located just outside of Edinburgh, is one of the most cutting-edge in the United Kingdom.

    Both the Edinburgh and Scottish Borders campuses of Heriot-Watt University have convenient access to public transportation. Because of its status as Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh boasts excellent domestic and international transportation connectivity. The Scottish Borders Campus may be found in Galashiels, a picturesque market town within an hour’s drive south of Edinburgh.

    Students Statistics

  • Undergraduate – 73%
  • Postgraduate – 27%
  • Full-time students –86%
  • Part-time students –14%
  • UK students– 70%
  • EU students-8%
  • International students –22%
  • Female – 40%
  • Male –60%

  • Ranking & Achievements

  • 57th in the Times University Guide 2023
  • 45th in the Guardian University Guide 2023
  • 281st in the QS World University Rankings 2023

  • Physics research was ranked as 97% world-leading and internationally good in the REF2021, while Heriot-Watt University engineering research was ranked as 96% world-leading and internationally excellent in a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.

    Faculties

  • Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences
  • Mathematical and Computer Sciences
  • Social Sciences incorporating Edinburgh Business School
  • Textiles and Design
  • Fees

    Fees for International students range from £13,500-17,440

    Scholarships

  • £10m to support fees scholarships (including £3m for rest of UK (RUK) students)
  • £1.5m to support maintenance (living cost) bursaries for RUK students.
  • £7.5m to support scholarships and bursary payments to home/EU/overseas students.

  • Apart from the international student’s scholarships, the university offers a number of bursaries and scholarships which are available to Scottish students. University offers the selected access bursaries to students from low income families, and those with prior experience of care and other widening access backgrounds.

    International merit awards

    Heriot-Watt University welcomes students from all over the world. The International Undergraduate and Postgraduate Merit Awards are designed to help students to fund their studies with any of the Edinburgh-based undergraduate or taught postgraduate programmes at their designated UK campuses.

  • Undergraduate merit awards
  • Postgraduate merit awards
  • Browse Heriot Watt University scholarships and bursaries
  • Undergraduate scholarships
  • Postgraduate scholarships
  • Research scholarships
  • MENA and Pakistan

  • Courses

    Undergraduate

  • BA (Hons) Communication Design
  • BA (Hons) Design for Textiles (Fashion, Interior, Art)
  • BA (Hons) Fashion
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Branding and Promotion
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Communication
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Retailing
  • BA (Hons) Interior Design
  • BBA (Hons) Bachelor of Business Administration
  • BEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering (Edinburgh)
  • BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Engineering Design and Manufacture (Electronic or Mechanical)
  • BEng (Hons) Instrumentation Measurement and Control
  • BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems
  • BEng (Hons) Structural Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science
  • BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science and Diploma in Industrial Training
  • BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
  • BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Cell and Molecular Biology)
  • BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Human Health)
  • BSc (Hons) Brewing and Distilling
  • BSc (Hons) Chemistry
  • BSc (Hons) Combined Studies
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security)
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Data Science)
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Data Science) and Diploma in Industrial Training
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Games Programming)
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering)
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Diploma in Industrial Training
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Systems
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Systems (Games Programming)
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Systems and Diploma in Industrial Training
  • BSc (Hons) Construction and the Built Environment
  • BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management
  • BSc (Hons) Data Science
  • BSc (Hons) Data Sciences
  • BSc (Hons) Fashion Technology
  • BSc (Hons) Financial Mathematics
  • BSc (Hons) Geography
  • BSc (Hons) Information Systems
  • BSc (Hons) Information Systems (Interaction Design)
  • BSc (Hons) Information Systems (Internet Systems)
  • BSc (Hons) Information Systems (Management)
  • BSc (Hons) Information Systems and Diploma in Industrial Training
  • BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematical, Statistical and Actuarial Sciences
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematical, Statistical and Actuarial Sciences and Diploma in Industrial Training
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Computer Science
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Finance
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Finance and Diploma in Industrial Training
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics with French
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics with German
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Physics
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Spanish
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Statistics
  • BSc (Hons) Physics
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology with Management
  • BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
  • BSc (Hons) Software Development for Business
  • BSc (Hons) Statistical Data Science
  • BSc (Hons) Urban Planning and Property Development
  • MA (Hons) Accountancy
  • MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance
  • MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance (Accelerated)
  • MA (Hons) Applied Languages and Translating (French/German)
  • MA (Hons) Applied Languages and Translating (French/Spanish)
  • MA (Hons) Applied Languages and Translating (German/ Spanish)
  • MA (Hons) British Sign Language (Interpreting, Translating and Applied Language Studies)
  • MA (Hons) Business and Finance
  • MA (Hons) Business Management
  • MA (Hons) Business Management: Financial Services
  • MA (Hons) Economics
  • MA (Hons) Economics (Accelerated)
  • MA (Hons) Economics and Business Management
  • MA (Hons) Economics and Finance
  • MA (Hons) Finance
  • MA (Hons) Geography, Society and Environment
  • MA (Hons) International Business Management
  • MA (Hons) International Business Management (Accelerated)
  • MA (Hons) International Business Management with Year Abroad
  • MA (Hons) IT Management for Business
  • MA (Hons) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (French/British Sign Language)
  • MA (Hons) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (French/German)
  • MA (Hons) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (French/Spanish)
  • MA (Hons) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (German/British Sign Language)
  • MA (Hons) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (German/Spanish)
  • MA (Hons) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (Spanish/British Sign Language)
  • MA (Hons) Marketing
  • MA (Hons) Marketing (Accelerated)
  • MChem Chemistry
  • MChem Chemistry with Industrial Experience
  • MEng Architectural Engineering
  • MEng Associate Student in Chemical Engineering (partnership route with Forth Valley College)
  • MEng Associate Student in Electrical Engineering (partnership route with Forth Valley College)
  • MEng Associate Student in Mechanical Engineering (partnership route with Forth Valley College)
  • MEng Chemical Engineering
  • MEng Civil Engineering
  • MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • MEng Mechanical Engineering
  • MEng Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems
  • MEng Software Engineering
  • MEng Structural Engineering
  • MMath Mathematics
  • MPhys Physics

  • Postgraduate

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Artificial Intelligence (2 years)
  • Business Psychology
  • Business Psychology with Human Resource Management
  • Business Psychology with Intercultural Communication
  • Civil Engineering and Construction Management
  • Civil Engineering with Industry Placement
  • Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying
  • Computing (2 years)
  • Construction Project Management
  • Data Science
  • Data Science (2 Years)
  • Design Management
  • Digital Design and Innovation
  • Digital Marketing
  • Executive MBA
  • Fashion and Textile Design
  • Fashion and Textile Management
  • Global Sustainability Engineering
  • Human Resource Management
  • Human Robot Interaction
  • Interior Architecture and Design
  • International Business Management
  • International Business Management with Finance
  • International Business Management with HRM
  • International Business Management with Marketing
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Master of Business Administration
  • MBA with Specialism in Finance
  • MBA with Specialism in Strategic
  • MDes Games Design and Development
  • MSc Actuarial Management
  • MSc Actuarial Management with Data Science
  • MSc Actuarial Science
  • MSc Actuarial Science and Management
  • MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering
  • MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Application
  • MSc Advanced Structural Engineering
  • MSc Advanced Structural Engineering (Online)
  • MSc Applied Data Science
  • MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences
  • MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences (2 years)
  • MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences with Climate Change Modelling
  • MSc Applied Petroleum Geoscience
  • MSc Applied Petroleum Geoscience (Online)
  • MSc Artificial Intelligence
  • MSc Artificial Intelligence (2 years)
  • MSc Artificial Intelligence with Speech and Multimodal Interaction
  • MSc Brewing and Distilling
  • MSc Brewing and Distilling by Distance Learning
  • MSc Brewing and Distilling with Entrepreneurship
  • MSc Building Services Engineering
  • MSc Business Analytics and Consultancy
  • MSc Business Strategy, Leadership and Change
  • MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management (Online)
  • MSc Civil Engineering with Industrial Placement (2 years)
  • MSc Climate Change: Managing Marine Environment
  • MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying
  • MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying (Online)
  • MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying with Industry placement (2 years)
  • MSc Computational Mathematics
  • MSc Computing (2 years)
  • MSc Construction Project Management
  • MSc Construction Project Management (Online)
  • MSc Construction Project Management with Industry placement ( 2years)
  • MSc Data Science (2 years)
  • MSc Economics, Banking and Finance
  • MSc Energy
  • MSc Energy (Online)
  • MSc Energy and Economics
  • MSc Finance
  • MSc Finance and Management
  • MSc Financial Mathematics
  • MSc Human Robot Interaction
  • MSc Human Robot Interaction (2 years)
  • MSc Information Technology (Business)
  • MSc Information Technology (Software Systems)
  • MSc International Accounting and Finance
  • MSc International Banking and Finance
  • MSc International Business Management with Industry Placement
  • MSc International Business Management with Project Management
  • MSc International Fashion Marketing
  • MSc International Management & Business Communication
  • MSc International Management & Business Communication with Human Resource Management
  • MSc International Management & Business Communication with Marketing
  • MSc International Marine Science
  • MSc International Marine Science (Online)
  • MSc International Marketing
  • MSc International Marketing with Consumer Psychology
  • MSc International Master in Industrial Management (IMIM)
  • MSc Interpreting
  • MSc Interpreting and Translating
  • MSc Investment Management
  • MSc Marine Renewable Energy
  • MSc Marine Renewable Energy (Online)
  • MSc Mathematical Biology, Ecology and Medicine
  • MSc Mathematics
  • MSc Mature Field Management
  • MSc Mature Field Management (Online)
  • MSc Network Security
  • MSc Operations Management
  • MSc Petroleum Engineering
  • MSc Petroleum Engineering (Online)
  • MSc Quantitative Finance and Mathematics
  • MSc Real Estate
  • MSc Renewable Energy Development
  • MSc Renewable Energy Development (RED)
  • MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
  • MSc Reservoir Evaluation and Management
  • MSc Robotics
  • MSc Safety and Risk Management
  • MSc Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering
  • MSc Sign Language Interpreting (EUMASLI)
  • MSc Smart Systems Integration (Erasmus Mundus)
  • MSc Software Engineering
  • MSc Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development
  • MSc Strategic Project Management
  • MSc Subsurface Energy Systems
  • MSc Translating
  • MSc Urban Strategies and Design
  • PgDip / PgCert Graduate Certificate in the Mathematical Sciences
  • Robotics
  • Software Engineering
  • Facilities & Services

    The International Students Advice Office of Heriot-Watt University offers guidance and support for international students. They will assist with practical advice, such as setting up a UK bank account, driving in the UK, applying for visa renewal with the police, local travel plans, Edinburgh embassy and consulate information, and much more. Useful data before departure is also provided by the International Student Guide. At the beginning of each term, the International Student Advice Office at Heriot-Watt also offers airport pickups, accompanied by a series of welcome and orientation activities.

    A variety of NHS medical and dental facilities can be accessed by students. Counselling is accessible via the student health team for all students. Groups, online resources, mental health counseling or mentoring can be easily accessed by students. Support for settling into university life, money, housing and protection are also available while online support through the Big White Wall is available 24/7.

    Student Life

    Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, voted as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and a perfect place to live and study. It’s a unique city, renowned for its splendid architecture and world renowned festivals. Edinburgh is a beautiful place with hundreds of restaurants, cafés, pubs and clubs that can be visited by students, some rooted in tradition and others chic and contemporary. From Edinburgh Castle to Edinburgh Zoo, as well as many museums and galleries, there are a wide number of attractions. You can also go outside to ascend the Seat of Arthur or visit Portobello Beach. Festivals in Edinburgh draw millions of visitors per year. They include the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the arts celebration, and science and film festivals.

    At the Herriot Watt Student Union, over 60 student societies, including a medieval society, a renowned brewing society and faith groups. There are quiz nights in Edinburgh, live music and club nights, a pub and a café. The Scottish Borders Campus at the Thread runs activities. Students and change campaigns are also represented by the SU. The Advice Center offers guidance and support with all elements of student life, the Advice Center offers feedba and support.

    Accommodation

    The Heriot-Watt University accommodation service allocates campus locations and, if necessary, allows students to find off-campus accommodation. The Edinburgh Campus has over 1,600 spaces, with shared rooms and en suite facilities available. On the Scottish Borders Campus, there are 200 self-catered rooms and apartments, and the Heriot-Watt University also rents off-campus and city center flats.

    For all students in their first year of study, the Heriot-Watt University guarantees an offer of accommodation, either on or off campus. Self-catering apartments or rooms with broadband, Wi-Fi, a shared kitchen and a communal lounge are options for accommodation.

    Accommodation costs 2020/2021 at Heriot-Watt University

    SELF-CATERED: £118- £179 per week

    Transport

    There are excellent travel links to Heriot-Edinburgh Watt’s and Scottish Borders Campuses. Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, so there are well established national and international travel connections. Edinburgh Airport is only a five-minute drive from Edinburgh Campus, with frequent direct flights to, among others, London (just an hour), Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, Zurich and New York.

    A network of on and off road bike routes, including from the city center to the campus, runs through the city. Buses also leave the campus for the city. The two main train stations in Edinburgh have links through Scotland and to England, reaching London in about 4.5 hours.

    FAQ’s

    What is Heriot-Watt University?

    Heriot-Watt University is a public research university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was established in 1821 and has since become one of Scotland’s leading universities.

    What courses are offered at Heriot-Watt University?

    Heriot-Watt University offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various fields of study. These include business, engineering, sciences, languages, and social sciences.

    What is the reputation of Heriot-Watt University?

    Heriot-Watt University is highly regarded for its teaching quality, research excellence, and international outlook. It has consistently been ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world.

    What is the campus like at Heriot-Watt University?

    Heriot-Watt University has several campuses, including Edinburgh’s main campus and Dubai and Malaysia’s campuses. The Edinburgh campus has a beautiful parkland setting and modern facilities, including state-of-the-art research labs, libraries, and student accommodation.

    Are there any notable alumni from Heriot-Watt University?

    Yes, Heriot-Watt University has several notable alumni, including Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, and Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish Minister for Energy, Connectivity, and the Islands.

    Is Heriot-Watt University a good choice for international students?

    Yes, Heriot-Watt University is a great choice for international students. It has a diverse and welcoming community, with students from over 150 countries. Additionally, it offers a range of support services for international students, including language courses and cultural events.

    Which postgraduate courses are offered by Heriot-Watt University?

    Heriot-Watt University postgraduate courses include business, engineering, sciences, languages, and social sciences.

    Is Heriot-Watt University expensive?

    Heriot-variable Watt’s tuition cost for a BA/BSc/MA honours degree in 2023 will be £9,250 per year.

    Which are Heriot-Watt University online courses?

    Online MSc and MBA programmes are available a Heriot-Watt University.

    What is Heriot-Watt University acceptance rate?

    Heriot-Watt University acceptance rate is 84%.