The Dubai Campus

As the first British university to set up a campus in Dubai in 2005 and having received a five-star accreditation by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), for three consecutive years, Heriot-Watt University Dubai has established itself as a pioneer in the higher education market in the UAE. The University’s reputation for world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research combined with its strong links to business and industry, has seen it attract a thriving population of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Heriot-Watt University Dubai offers an extensive range of programmes and disciplines, spanning postgraduate and undergraduate courses. Heriot-Watt graduates are highly employable and sought after by the best organisations worldwide, with over 90% in graduate level jobs or further study within six months of graduation.

State-of-the-art facilities

The futuristic Heriot-Watt University Dubai campus is designed to offer interactive and collaborative learning experiences with innovative classroom styles fostering group work and engagement. Collaborative lecture theatres feature booth-style seating allowing for easier group discussions and activities among students. The digitally focused pod rooms facilitate group learning and are equipped with interconnected displays allowing for modular learning experiences. Seminar rooms are designed to be flexible and easy to reorient to suit the needs of the class and activity.

The campus also provides cutting-edge laboratories and workshops that span various engineering disciplines like automotive, chemical, civil, mechanical, electrical, energy, robotic and structural engineering. Students can experiment, build, or test with the right tools and resources. The campus also has a dedicated psychology lab, a spacious IT lab and a design hub that supports fashion, architecture and interior design students. All our facilities are equipped with modern technology and equipment to help students achieve their goals.

Edinburgh Business School

The fifth floor of the campus features Global Incubator, a business incubator run by the Edinburgh Business School, which will develop and support founders and start-ups, as well as the Bloomberg Trading Room where students can work with a simulated market environment using actual, real-time data, and a variety of functions simulating both trading and non-trading workflows.

The campus has an array of common areas where students have access to essential services and amenities, including a dedicated student council hub, social learning spaces for independent and group study, an engaging library stocked with both physical books and online resources and central Student Services Centre for student administration. The building also features the Town Hall - a multipurpose venue, with a cafeteria and auditorium-style seating suitable for hosting open days, presentations, and other interactive events.

Focus on all-round development

Heriot-Watt firmly believes that staying healthy, both physically and mentally, means students can also remain focused on their academics, achieve their full potential, and enjoy their student life to the hilt. To this end, the campus offers an activity studio where dance, fitness, and yoga classes can be offered when permitted. This is in addition to student wellbeing services that are offered to students seeking guidance and support to address personal challenges impacting their wellbeing.

To help drive the growth and transformation of the Dubai campus, Heriot-Watt has recruited more than 100 new professional services staff over the last one year. Providing services as diverse as marketing, finance and academic administration, Professional Services provides the infrastructure that helps Heriot-Watt University run effectively, and support the delivery of its strategic aspirations.

Bicentenary year

The opening of the campus in Dubai coincided with the bicentennial anniversary of Heriot-Watt University in 2021. Founded in 1821 as the world’s first mechanics institute in Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University has transformed itself into a globally, connected university with campuses in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia, and continues to be a pioneer in higher education and research.

Dubai Knowledge Park location

The Dubai Knowledge Park sits adjacent to the Dubai Media City as well as the Dubai Internet City and boasts excellent transport links such as the Dubai Metro and Tramway. The neighbourhood is home to more than 500 businesses and has established itself as a centre of excellence for higher education and professional development.

Accommodation

See here for details on our accommodation offerings across Dubai.