History
Heriot-Watt University is proud that since its foundation in 1821, they have been outward looking pioneers of education, in pursuit of knowledge to the benefit of society and the world.
Education
Heriot-Watt University is organised into five academic schools plus the Edinburgh Business School
Research
At Heriot-Watt University, the mission transcends the boundaries between research and enterprise. Heriot-Watt University has created an environment where academia, industry and partners collaborate to shape a future that's sustainable, inclusive and forward-thinking.
Career
The Careers Service aims to assist Heriot-Watt University students and graduates to make informed career choices by providing a professional, high quality careers guidance and information service for students and recent graduates of Heriot-Watt. We work closely with employers and academic Schools to support students by developing the skills they need to maximise their employability
Heriot-Watt University Key Statistics & Highlights
- #287 Ranking
- 29,000 Students
- 7,000 Students (int'l)
- Public Institution Type
Heriot-Watt University Overview
Heriot-Watt University Scholarships
Heriot-Watt University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Heriot-Watt University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Heriot-Watt University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
By TopUniversities
Dropped 31 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 235 | 256 | 287 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 351 | 401 | 401 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Climbed 100 places compared to 2024
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 901 | 801 | 701 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 105 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 725 | 832 | 937 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
As a current student of Heriot-Watt you have access to myHWU, the Heriot-Watt student portal, which connects you to everything that students need in order to study, all in one place.
Housing services
- Jean Muir Student Village
We know how important good quality accommodation is to the student experience. That's why, in 2012, we invested £12 million replacing all of our on-campus accommodation with a state-of-the-art Jean Muir Student Village.
What you'll really notice throughout the new student village is its first-class building design, the fantastic modern furniture, and the amount of communal space for you to study and socialise in.
Library services
Arranged over 4 floors, the Edinburgh Campus Library offers a wide variety of great places to study - whether you want to study alone or in a group, in silence or in quiet discussion, during the day or at the evenings and weekends – all students and staff are welcome to visit.
The library is open 24/7 during semester 1 and 2 and staffed 7 days a week.
ICT services
Heriot-Watt University provides the eduroam wireless service for staff and students on campus.
Medical services
Student Wellbeing Services aim to provide a range of support, guidance, activities and advice to help students to be their best, and get the most from their university experience.
At the Edinburgh Campus we have a purpose-built health centre housing the University Health Service and Dental Practice, which provides a full range of UK National Health Service (NHS) medical and dental services.
Campus life
The Scottish campuses offer an extensive range of research-informed degree programmes in a global study environment with strong links to business and industry.
The campuses in Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney each offer bespoke facilities and a distinctive learning environment.
Sports facilities
The Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre. This cutting-edge development transforms Heriot-Watt into the training hub for, among others, Scotland's national football and rugby squads. It is housed in a stunning £33 million purpose-built sports facility.
All of our Clubs offer recreational sessions for any member. These sessions are open to everyone and to all abilities. Whether you have played before or completely new to the sport, our clubs offer something for everyone.
Student clubs
The Heriot-Watt University Student Union is very active and plays a key role in bringing students together through a wide range of student-run clubs and societies. From the Computer Games Society to the Dance Club, we're sure you'll find something that interests you!
Accreditation
Heriot-Watt University was granted University status and degree-awarding powers by Royal Charter in 1966. As an accredited institution, all degree programmes undergo rigorous internal academic approval processes to ensure high academic standards.
Heriot-Watt University offers over 160 accredited programmes across various disciplines, with accreditations from leading professional bodies such as: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Energy Institute, the British Computer Society, and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Heriot-Watt University Campus Locations
Heriot-Watt University Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 73 reviews
- 5 Star 30 Reviews
- 4 Star 35 Reviews
- 3 Star 6 Reviews
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.4
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.6
- Student Diversity 4.4
- Admission Process 4.7
- Quality of Student Life 4.4
- Career Development 4.3
Heriot-Watt University offers a strong learning.
I had such a great experience visiting Heriot-Watt University! The campus is modern and welcoming, and I loved seeing all the facilities they offer for students. What really impressed me was how their programs focus on both academics and real-world skills – you can tell they genuinely prepare students for their careers. The staff were friendly and helpful, making the whole visit enjoyable. I left feeling inspired and excited about the opportunities here. Definitely a university I’d recommend to anyone looking for a practical, supportive, and innovative learning environment.
Im motivated to apply and look forward to start
I reviewed this program and university carefully because I am planning to apply and become a student here. After researching the curriculum, teaching approach, and career opportunities, I found that this program matches my academic qnd professional goals very well. What I like most is that the program focuses on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The course structure is clear, up to date, and aligned with current industry requirements. I also appreciate that the university offers flexible learning options and strong academic support, which is important for students who want to balance study with other responsibilitie. In addition, the university has a good reputation and positive feedback from current and fromer students, which increased my confidence in this choice. Based on my research, this program seems well designed to prepare students for real-world challenges and future careers.
Hoping to study in Scotland
I have not started my study yet. I hope to get funding support so that I will be able to start my studies soon
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
-
Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
-
Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
-
Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
-
Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
-
Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
-
Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?