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Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh, United Kingdom +5
Global Rank Top 6.8% # 448 Worldwide

Heriot-Watt University About

Heriot-Watt  heritage dates back to 1821 since when our community of scholars has been developing transformational solutions to specific global problems. 

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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

  • #325 Ranking
  • 60 Courses
  • 29,000 Students
  • 7,000 Students (int'l)

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 Overview

Heriot-Watt University Rankings

Study Portals Meta Ranking

Top 5.7% United Kingdom
Top 6.8% Worldwide

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

325

By TopUniversities

Dropped 38 places compared to 2026

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

2025 2026 2027
256 287 325

Best Global Universities Rankings

1090

By U.S. News & World Report

Dropped 153 places compared to 2026

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

2025 2026 2027
832 937 1090

World University Rankings

No 2027 Ranking

By Times Higher Education

This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.

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

2025 2026 2027
401 401 -

Academic Ranking of World Universities

No 2026 Ranking

By Shanghai Jiao Tong University

This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.

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

2024 2025 2026
801 701 -

Heriot-Watt University Campus Locations

#1 Main Campus
United Kingdom Country
Edinburgh City
#2 Branch Campus
United Kingdom Country
Stromness City
#3 Branch Campus
United Kingdom Country
Galashiels City
#4 Branch Campus
Malaysia Country
Putrajaya City
#5 Branch Campus
United Arab Emirates Country
Dubai City

Heriot-Watt University Student Reviews & Awards

4.3

Based on 77 reviews

  • 5 Star
    33 Reviews
  • 4 Star
    36 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
5/5

I love it here

It is the best university I have ever been to. I really love it and would happily return for my master's degree. The campus is diverse and welcoming, which made my experience even better. Overall, I had a great time here and honestly have very few complaints.

Posted by Anonymous
Studied from Sep 2025 - Jul 2028
Posted on Aug 2026
4/5

The Perfect Balance: HWU International Business

Choosing International Business with a Year Abroad at Heriot-Watt University was a decision based on finding a balance between a strong curriculum and a vibrant community, and for the most part, it has delivered exactly that. What stood out: The real-world application of the modules. Specifically, the Fundamental of Marketing module felt incredibly current. The professors aren't just reading from slides; they bring industry insights into the room, which makes the 9:00 AM starts much more worth it. Campus Life: The energy on campus is what keeps you going during exam season. Whether it�s grabbing a wrap at Elements cafe or the support found in student-led societies, there is a genuine sense of belonging here. The Honest Truth: While the facilities are top-tier, getting a response from your student ambassadors can be a bit of a challenge. However, the career services and networking opportunities more than make up for it. Advice for Freshers: Don't just stay in your dorm! The value of this university is in the connections you make outside the classroom. It�s a 10/10 experience if you�re willing to put yourself out there.

Posted by Sophie
Studied from Unknown
Posted on Aug 2026
4/5

Business management at Heriot-Watt

In general I had an okay experience, the staff are very helpful and the freedom of choice when it comes to choosing your subject is great. The administrative staff is not that great, if you have to sort out something relating to administration it could take a good 2-3 weeks before you get anywhere

Posted by Anonymous
Studied from Sep 2024 - Jul 2027
Posted on Aug 2026
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Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025

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