Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Quick facts
- World rank
- Unranked
- Acceptance rate
- —
- Students
- —
- International students
- —
- Institution type
- Public
- Founded
- 1821
Overview
Heriot-Watt University is a research-led public university founded in 1821, based at a 380-acre parkland campus in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (registered charity SC000278). The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes across business, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, design and textiles. It operates five physical campuses: Edinburgh, Scottish Borders (Galashiels), Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia (Putrajaya), and provides flexible online study through Heriot-Watt Online. With a community of over 27,000 students and an alumni network of over 182,000 worldwide, Heriot-Watt is among Scotland's most international universities. It is ranked 1st in Scotland for graduate outcomes two years running (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024) and produces the highest percentage of CEOs and Managing Directors in Scotland (Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2025). The Research Excellence Framework 2021 rated 86.8% of its research as world-leading or internationally excellent. The Edinburgh campus is home to the National Robotarium (UK centre for robotics and AI), Oriam (Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre) and the Lyell Centre (earth and marine sciences). The university is committed to achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2035.
Fields of study
- Accounting and Finance
- Business and Management
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Communication and Design
- Computer Science
- Construction Management and Surveying
- Economics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Energy and Renewables
- Fashion and Textiles
- Languages and Intercultural Studies
- Logistics and Operations
- Marine, Environment and Climate Change
- Marketing
- Mechanical and Process Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Architecture
- Sport and Exercise Science
- Interior Design
Admissions requirements
- IELTS (minimum)
- —
- TOEFL iBT (minimum)
- —
- GPA (minimum)
- —
- Intakes
- September 2026, January 2027, May 2027
- Application deadlines
- Varies by program
- Rolling admissions
- No
Requirements differ between programs. Check the program page and the university's admissions office for the latest criteria.
Tuition & costs
International students
Varies by program
Domestic students
Varies by program
Tuition varies by program. Confirm with the university before applying.
Official fee source (opens in a new tab)Information last verified Oct 3, 2026. Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Fees, deadlines and requirements change — always confirm with the university.
