Research study opportunities

Heriot-Watt University is an inspiring environment for research students, offering opportunities across our world-leading research areas - not only PhD and postdoctoral but also UG and Masters internships and studentships.

Research Excellence

We are a research-intensive university known for pioneering and applied research which, together with our long-standing links to business and industry, results in wide-reaching impact.

86.8% of our research is ranked world-leading and internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). We focus our interdisciplinary research and significant international collaborations on finding solutions to global challenges. Our Global Research Institutes are one example of how we achieve this.

Watch our Global Research and Enterprise video, and find out more about our global research here.

Environment and facilities

Our goal is to provide a supportive global community for Early Career Researchers - whether postgraduate or postdoctoral - across all our campuses worldwide. Their individual locations combine a unique experience with access to cutting-edge research facilities, training and outreach, across the university.

We are committed to providing an equitable training and research experience of the highest quality that will inspire our research students and promote collaborations that cross traditional subject boundaries. Our aim is to create the conditions to deliver ground-breaking discoveries and bespoke skills development whilst providing a feeling of belonging.

We have a diverse community of 1000-1100 PhD students and 240-250 postdoctoral researchers, creating a vibrant peer-group.

We also currently lead or participate in eight inter-university Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) with funded places available, providing the best facilities and expert support to take your research to the next level. 

Visit the current opportunities webpage for more information on PhD, EngD, DBA, MRes and MPhil degrees. You'll also find information on undergraduate research intern opportunities and postdoctoral fellowships.

Researcher development

Our Research Futures Academy provides postgraduate research students with a full programme of training and development throughout PhD, EngD or MPhil studies. The programme contains a wide range of courses pitched at various levels of expertise and facilitated by experts.