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EnglishWhat is Heriot-Watt University?
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Heriot-Watt University is a specialist university based in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a global presence that includes campuses in the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia, as well as online study. It offers foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate, research and graduate apprenticeship programmes, and describes itself as creating "world renowned, innovative research and highly employable graduates." If you are considering where to study, researching a specific programme, or trying to understand what kind of institution Heriot-Watt is, the sections below cover what it offers and where it operates.
What kind of university is it?
Heriot-Watt presents itself as a specialist university with a global footprint. Its stated focus is on innovative research and graduate employability rather than a broad, generalist positioning. Two claims on its homepage support this:
- 86.8% of its research is ranked world-leading and internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
- It states it is first in Scotland for graduate outcomes, producing the highest percentage of CEO and Managing Director roles (Graduate Outcomes, 2024 and Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2025).
It also notes that students ranked it top in Scotland for 2027 with Uni Compare. These are the university's own cited figures, so treat them as its claims rather than independent assessments.
What can you study?
The university organises its study options by level, and you can search programmes directly on its site. The levels listed are:
| Level | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Foundation | Preparatory programmes, typically a route into degree study |
| Undergraduate | Bachelor's-level degrees |
| Postgraduate | Master's and other post-first-degree study |
| Research | Research degrees and research activity |
| Graduate Apprenticeships | Work-based degree programmes |
The homepage also links to dedicated sections for foundation programmes, undergraduate study and postgraduate study, so you can go straight to the level that applies to you.
Where are the campuses?
Heriot-Watt operates across five physical locations plus an online option. Each has a distinct character:
- Edinburgh — set in 380 acres of parkland, with a wide variety of programmes and specialist facilities.
- Scottish Borders — a countryside location at the heart of Scotland's textile industry, with specialist facilities and production equipment for textiles, fashion and design.
- Orkney — described as one of the UK's most stunning and unique university locations, supporting research, teaching and consultancy for over 25 years.
- Dubai — offers research-informed degree programmes in a global study environment, with strong links to business and industry.
- Malaysia — based in Putrajaya, offering British education with a range of courses and global study opportunities.
- Heriot-Watt Online — study option for those who cannot attend a campus in person.
This spread matters if location, study mode or industry links are deciding factors for you.
How to explore it further
If you want to move from an overview to a decision, the homepage points to a few concrete next steps:
- Search programmes by level (foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate, research, graduate apprenticeships) to see what is actually available in your subject.
- Check the campus pages for the location you are considering, since facilities and programme ranges differ by campus.
- Attend an Open Day — Open Days 2026 are promoted as a chance to explore campuses, talk to academics about your chosen subject and learn about student life. Sign-up is through the site.
- Read the strategy and news items if institutional direction matters to you — for example, the Strategy 2035 Global Launch event and the announcement of Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas as the new Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
A practical approach: start with the programme search filtered to your level and subject, then confirm which campus delivers it, then check the Open Day schedule for that campus. That sequence avoids assuming a programme is available where you want to study.
What to keep in mind
The homepage does not list tuition fees, entry requirements or application deadlines, so those details need to be checked on the individual programme and study-level pages. The employability and research rankings are the university's own cited sources; if they are central to your decision, look at the underlying data or compare with other institutions. And because programmes are distributed across five campuses plus online study, always verify the delivery location before applying.