About Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is a globally connected institution with campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Dubai, and Malaysia. Founded in 1821, it specialises in science, engineering, business, and design, with particularly strong programmes in petroleum engineering, actuarial science, and the built environment.
Key Information
Student Statistics
- • 12,000 total students
- • 5,000 international students
- • 80 student societies
Location
- • Located in Edinburgh
- • Public university
- • Established 1821
Subject Rankings
Petroleum Engineering (2024)
10Actuarial Science (2024)
25Academics & Faculties
Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, PhD, MBA, Foundation
Popular Subjects
Petroleum EngineeringActuarial ScienceCivil EngineeringComputer ScienceBusiness ManagementFashion DesignQuantity SurveyingMathematics
Student-Staff Ratio
15 : 1
Faculties & Departments
School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
Institute of Infrastructure and Environment, Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering, Institute of Sustainable Building Design, The Lyell Centre
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics
School of Social Sciences
Accountancy, Economics and Finance, Management and Languages, Psychology and Sociology
School of Textiles and Design
Fashion, Interior Design, Textile Design, Communication Design
Edinburgh Business School
MBA Programmes, Executive Education, Leadership and Management
Entry Requirements
Undergraduate
Academic: AAB - BBC depending on programme
Alternatives: IB: 30-34 points depending on programme, Scottish Highers: AABB-BBBC, BTEC: DDM-MMM for many programmes
IELTS: 6
R 5.5 / W 5.5 / L 5.5 / S 5.5
TOEFL iBT: 80
Portfolio for Design programmes • Personal statement • Interview for some programmes
Postgraduate
Minimum Qualification: UK Honours degree (2:1 or 2:2 depending on programme)
GPA: 2.8
IELTS: 6.5
R 6 / W 6 / L 6 / S 6
TOEFL iBT: 90
Two references • Research proposal for PhD • GMAT for some MBA programmes
Fees & Funding
Tuition (International)
- Undergraduate: £16,000
- Postgraduate: £17,000
- Foundation: £16,500
Living Costs (Annual)
- Accommodation: £5,500
- Food: £2,400
- Transport: £700
- Entertainment: £1,100
- Other: £800
- Total: £10,500
Scholarships
Heriot-Watt Academic Excellence Scholarship
MeritAutomatic scholarship for high-achieving international students.
Value: £4,000 (Partial)
International students • Strong academic record
Edinburgh Business School Scholarship
MeritMerit-based scholarship for exceptional MBA candidates.
Value: £8,000 (Partial)
MBA applicants • Outstanding professional background
Scottish Government Scholarship
Need-basedSupport for Scottish students from lower-income backgrounds.
Value: £2,000 (Partial)
Scottish domiciled students • Financial need demonstrated
Campus & Facilities
Edinburgh Campus, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AS
Beautiful 380-acre parkland campus in the western outskirts of Edinburgh, featuring modern academic buildings, research centres, student residences, and extensive green spaces including wildlife habitats.
Size: 380 acres
Facilities
Academic
James Watt Centre, Grid Connected Energy Storage Facility, National Robotarium, Global Research Innovation and Discovery (GRID)
Research
Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Science, National Robotarium, Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, Sustainable Building Design Centre
Student Life
Heriot-Watt Students' Association, Oriam (Scotland's Sports Performance Centre), Student Hub, Bars and restaurants
Libraries
Cameron Smail Library
Main library with extensive collections, study spaces, and 24/7 access during term.
24/7 during term
Borders Campus Library
Specialist design and textiles resources at Galashiels.
09:00-21:00
Sports Facilities
Oriam - Scotland's Sports Performance Centre
World-class facility including indoor football pitches, sports halls, gym, and elite training facilities used by national teams.
Outdoor Sports Pitches
Rugby, football, cricket pitches and tennis courts across campus.
Student Services
Student Wellbeing
Support for mental health, disability, and personal matters.
wellbeing@hw.ac.uk
Careers Service
Career guidance, placements, and employer connections.
careers@hw.ac.uk
International Student Support
Dedicated support for international students including visa advice.
international@hw.ac.uk
Accommodation
Gait House
On-campusModern en-suite accommodation in purpose-built blocks.
Cost: £130 - £165 (per week)
En-suite rooms • Shared kitchens • Common areas • Laundry
Distance: On campus
Contract: 38-51 weeks
Robin Smith Hall
On-campusSelf-catered accommodation with standard rooms.
Cost: £110 - £140 (per week)
Standard rooms • Shared bathrooms • Kitchens • Common rooms
Distance: On campus
Contract: 38-51 weeks
Lord Thomson Hall
On-campusPostgraduate-focused accommodation with quiet study environment.
Cost: £140 - £180 (per week)
En-suite studios • Kitchenette • Study space • Graduate common room
Distance: On campus
Contract: 51 weeks
First-year undergraduates guaranteed accommodation. Apply through Heriot-Watt accommodation portal after accepting offer.
International orientation programme, airport pickup service, peer mentoring for international students.
Student Life & Support
Clubs & Sports
Clubs: 80
Teams: 30
Cultural Activities
- Global Campus Events — Throughout the year
- International Food Festival — Annually
- Freshers' Week — Annually in September
International Support
- Visa support: Yes
- Language support: Yes
- Orientation: Yes
- Buddy program: Yes
- Contact: international@hw.ac.uk
Health & Wellbeing
- Medical centre: Yes
- Counselling: Yes
- Disability support: Yes
- Emergency: +44 (0)131 451 3500
Careers & Outcomes
Employability Rank
180
Graduate Outcomes
Employed: 82%
Further study: 12%
Unemployed: 4%
Average Salary
£28,000
per year (graduate)
Top Employers
ShellBPWood GroupSchlumbergerDeloitteNHS ScotlandScottish GovernmentBalfour BeattyKPMGRolls-Royce
Career Services
- Careers Service: One-to-one appointments, CV workshops, and career fairs.
- Industry Placements: Support for year-in-industry and summer placements.
- Global Careers Network: Connections across Dubai and Malaysia campuses for international opportunities.
Location & Transportation
Nearest Airport
Edinburgh Airport
8 km • 20 minutes by bus/car
Public Transport
- Bus: Regular bus services (25, 34, 45) to Edinburgh city centre and other areas. • £1.80 single
- Tram: Edinburgh Tram accessible from Edinburgh Gateway with train connection. • £1.80 single
Local Area
Campus set in parkland on Edinburgh's western edge with easy access to Scotland's beautiful capital city, festivals, and surrounding countryside.
Cost of Living: Medium-High
Attractions: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scottish Highlands (nearby)
Shopping: Princes Street, St James Quarter, Gyle Shopping Centre (nearby), Stockbridge
Entertainment: Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Theatres and live music, Grassmarket nightlife, Museums and galleries, Outdoor activities
Additional Information
Accreditation
Royal Charter, AACSB (Business School), EQUIS (Business School), AMBA (MBA), IET, IMechE, ICE (Engineering), RICS (Surveying), Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
Partnerships
- Research: British Geological Survey — Joint Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Science and Technology.
- Industry: Shell — Long-standing partnership in petroleum engineering research and graduate recruitment.
- Academic: University of Edinburgh — Joint National Robotarium research facility.
Research Highlights
- National Robotarium — UK's leading centre for robotics and AI research, £22m facility. (2022)
- Energy Transition Research — World-leading research supporting transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. (2024)
- Lyell Centre — Joint research centre with British Geological Survey for Earth and marine science. (2024)
Notable Alumni
- Robin Harper — First Green Party member elected to UK Parliament (1970)
- Alex Salmond — Former First Minister of Scotland (1978)
- Bob Sherlock — President of Shell Downstream (1985)
Metadata
Source: Heriot-Watt University official website, QS Rankings 2025, HESA data 2023/24
Last Updated: 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z
Verified: Yes
Contact Email: profiles@ukuni.io