About

Our established reputation

With a history dating back to 1821, we have a long tradition of excellence and a proven track record in educating, inspiring and challenging the professionals of tomorrow. We are one of the top UK universities for business and industry and have an established reputation for world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research.

Top rankings

The University and our programmes are in the top rankings in the UK and globally.

• Heriot-Watt is ranked 3rd in the UK for Building and Top 10 in the UK for Chemical Engineering - The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
• 32nd in UK and 5th in Scotland, and 256th in the World - QS World University Rankings 2025
• 1st in Scotland for Construction, Surveying & Planning and Top 3 in Scotland for Chemical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering - Guardian University Guide 2025
• 86.8% of our research and 88.6% of our research outputs ranked as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' - REF 2021

See more top rankings.

Our high-quality, career-relevant degrees

The degree programmes at Heriot-Watt are career-focused and relevant to the needs of business and industry, leading employers to actively seek out our graduates. We work in partnership with the professions to develop and accredit our degrees, ensuring career-relevant education and an environment that helps to foster the leaders of tomorrow. Our aim is to equip our graduates with the skills to achieve their ambitions and perform at a high level in their careers.

Our international outlook

For over 20 years we have been committed to providing education of the highest standard to students around the world including:

• a pioneering distance learning programme, launched in 1990 to allow students worldwide to study a Heriot-Watt University degree
• our Dubai Campus, opened in 2005, was the first overseas campus in Dubai International Academic City. In 2011 we capitalised on our success by opening the first purpose-built campus
• Today we have 29,500 students studying our programmes in 143 countries
• Our future in Malaysia is an exciting one with the recent opening of our new green campus.

Read more key facts about Heriot-Watt University.

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