hw.ac.uk

Go to the "Search our programmes" tool on hw.ac.uk and filter by study level — Foundation, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, or Graduate Apprenticeships — then search by subject keyword. This is the fastest route if you already know roughly what you want to study and at what level. If you are still deciding, start from the "Study with us" section instead, which groups programmes by level and links to broader study options.

Where the programme search sits

The homepage carries a "Search our programmes" block with a level selector and a search field. The same block appears under the "Study with us" heading, which lists the main entry points:

• Foundation programmes
• Undergraduate study
• Postgraduate study
• Research
• Graduate Apprenticeships

Choosing a level first narrows the catalogue before you type a subject, which matters because the same subject area can appear at several levels with different entry requirements and campus locations.

Step-by-step: finding a specific programme

1. Pick your level. Use the dropdown in the search block to select Foundation, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, or Graduate Apprenticeships. If you are unsure, run the search without a level filter first to see what exists.
2. Enter a subject keyword. Type the subject rather than a full programme title — for example "textiles" or "engineering" — because official programme names vary and a broad term returns more matches.
3. Review the results. Each result links to a programme page. Check the campus, since Heriot-Watt teaches across Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, and the same subject may be offered in more than one location.
4. Open the programme page for details. Entry requirements, study options, and programme structure sit on the individual programme page, not in the search results list.

Expected result: a filtered list of programmes at your chosen level, each linking to a page with full entry requirements and study options.

Choosing between levels

Common sticking points

• No results for an exact title. Programme names change; search the subject instead of the title you saw elsewhere.
• Wrong campus assumed. Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia each host different programmes. Confirm the campus on the programme page before applying.
• Level mismatch. A subject you find at undergraduate level may not be offered at postgraduate level, or vice versa. Re-run the search at a different level.

Where to go next

For entry requirements and study options, open the individual programme page reached from the search results. For a general overview of the university before you search, the "Study with us" section and the campus pages describe what each location offers.

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:

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:

1. Search programmes by level (foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate, research, graduate apprenticeships) to see what is actually available in your subject.
2. Check the campus pages for the location you are considering, since facilities and programme ranges differ by campus.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Heriot-Watt University runs Open Days in 2026 where you can explore its campuses, talk with academics about your chosen subject, and learn about student life. The university's website provides a "Sign up now" link for these Open Days, which is the entry point for arranging a visit. Beyond scheduled Open Days, you can also visit the university's five campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, each with its own character and facilities.

Open Days 2026: What to Expect

According to the university's website, Open Days 2026 are designed to let you:

• Explore the campuses in person
• Chat with academics about your chosen subject
• Discover more about student life at Heriot-Watt

The site presents this as a sign-up event, with a "Sign up now" call to action. If you want to attend, start by locating that sign-up link on the Open Days section of hw.ac.uk.

How to Sign Up

The page evidence does not detail the exact steps after clicking "Sign up now," so the reliable approach is:

1. Go to the Heriot-Watt University website (hw.ac.uk).
2. Find the Open Days 2026 section (it appears in the homepage carousel).
3. Select "Sign up now" to begin registration.
4. Complete the form with your details and preferred campus or subject area.

Because the source does not specify form fields, deadlines, or confirmation steps, treat any additional requirements as things to confirm directly on the sign-up page.

Choosing Which Campus to Visit

Heriot-Watt has five campuses, and your visit should match your interests. The university describes them as follows:

If your subject is textiles, fashion, or design, the Scottish Borders campus is the natural fit. For the widest programme choice and specialist facilities, Edinburgh is the main campus. Dubai and Malaysia suit those seeking a global study environment with industry links.

Before You Go: Search for Your Programme

Open Days are most useful if you already know which programmes interest you. The website offers a programme search with these levels:

• Foundation
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research
• Graduate Apprenticeships

Use the search before your visit so you can ask academics specific questions about the course you are considering.

Practical Points to Confirm

The available page evidence does not state Open Day dates beyond "2026," nor does it list travel directions, parking, or accommodation details. To avoid surprises:

• Check the Open Days page for exact dates and times.
• Confirm whether your preferred campus hosts the subject you want to see.
• Look for any separate arrangements for Dubai and Malaysia campuses, since they operate in different countries.

A Note on the University's Profile

Two facts from the site may help you decide whether a visit is worthwhile. The university states that 86.8% of its research is ranked world-leading and internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and that 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). If research strength and employability matter to you, these are points to raise with academics during your visit.

Heriot-Watt University is a specialist university based in Edinburgh with campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia, and it is known for two headline claims: research quality and graduate employability. On research, 86.8% of its work is ranked world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). On outcomes, it states it is first in Scotland for graduate outcomes and produces the highest percentage of CEO and Managing Director roles among graduates (Graduate Outcomes, 2024 and Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2025). These figures are the university's own published claims, so treat them as its positioning rather than an independent ranking.

Research: what the 86.8% figure means

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK system for assessing university research, and its 2021 results are the basis for the 86.8% claim. In practice this means the majority of Heriot-Watt's submitted research was graded at the top two levels of the scale.

The university describes itself as creating "world renowned, innovative research," and its research identity is closely tied to applied and industry-connected fields rather than a broad classical offering. That specialist framing is consistent with its self-description as a specialist university.

The Lyell Centre as a research example

A concrete illustration of its research partnerships is The Lyell Centre, a strategic partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the British Geological Survey, which celebrated its 10th anniversary. For a prospective student or partner, this is the kind of arrangement that signals access to joint expertise and facilities in geoscience and related areas, rather than a purely internal research effort.

Graduate outcomes: employability and leadership

The employability claims are the second pillar of the university's reputation:

• First in Scotland for graduate outcomes — the university cites Graduate Outcomes, 2024.
• Highest percentage of CEO and Managing Director roles — cited from Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2025.
• Student ranking — students ranked it top in Scotland for 2027 with Uni Compare, according to the university.

These are outcome-oriented measures, which is why the university frames its offer around "highly employable graduates." If your priority is a degree that maps to employment and leadership trajectories, these are the claims to weigh. If your priority is research intensity in a specific discipline, the REF figure and partnership examples are the more relevant evidence.

Where this reputation comes from: a global, multi-campus model

Heriot-Watt operates campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia, plus Heriot-Watt Online. Each location has a distinct focus:

This spread matters for the reputation question because "Heriot-Watt" can mean different things depending on where you study. The research and employability claims are university-wide, but the facilities, industry links and programme availability differ by campus.

How to verify these claims for your own decision

1. Check the REF 2021 results for the specific subject you care about — the 86.8% is an institutional figure, and subject-level results vary.
2. Look at the graduate outcomes data behind the "first in Scotland" claim, and check whether it covers your level of study (undergraduate, postgraduate, research).
3. Review the campus pages for the location you are considering, since programme availability and industry links are campus-specific.
4. Use the programme search on the university site, filtering by level (Foundation, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, Graduate Apprenticeships) to see what is actually offered.

The main caveat: all the headline numbers here come from the university's own homepage, including third-party citations it has chosen to highlight. They are a reasonable starting point for understanding its reputation, but they are not a substitute for checking the underlying data or comparing against other universities on the same measures.

Heriot-Watt University runs five campuses — Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia — plus Heriot-Watt Online. The right one for you depends on your subject: Edinburgh is the broadest and largest, Scottish Borders is built around textiles, fashion and design, Orkney suits research and consultancy in a small island setting, and Dubai and Malaysia deliver British degrees with regional industry links. If your programme is only taught at one campus, that campus decides the choice for you.

How the campuses differ at a glance

Edinburgh: the broadest choice

Edinburgh is the campus to start with if you have not yet narrowed your subject. It sits in 380 acres of parkland and offers a wide variety of programmes alongside specialist facilities. Because it carries the widest programme range, it is also the campus most likely to host the subject you want if no other campus lists it.

Choose Edinburgh if you want the largest selection and a traditional parkland setting, and if your programme is not tied to a specialist location.

Scottish Borders: textiles, fashion and design

The Scottish Borders campus is a countryside location placed at the centre of Scotland's textile industry. Its distinguishing feature is access to specialist facilities and production equipment for textiles, fashion and design — equipment that a general campus would not normally provide.

Choose it if your subject is textiles, fashion or design and you want to work with production equipment as part of your degree.

Orkney: a small, distinctive research location

Heriot-Watt Orkney is described as one of the UK's most stunning and unique university locations. For over 25 years the campus has supported a broad range of research, teaching and consultancy activities.

Choose Orkney if a small, distinctive location appeals to you and your interests align with the research and consultancy work carried out there. Because it is a specialist site rather than a full multi-faculty campus, check that your specific programme is taught there before applying.

Dubai and Malaysia: British degrees abroad

Both international campuses deliver a British education outside the UK:

• Dubai offers an extensive range of research-informed degree programmes in a global study environment, with strong links to business and industry.
• Malaysia, based at a modern campus in Putrajaya, offers high quality British education with a range of courses and global study opportunities.

Choose Dubai if you want to study in the Gulf with close industry connections; choose Malaysia if you want a British education in Southeast Asia with global study opportunities. In both cases, confirm which programmes are available at that campus, since the range is narrower than Edinburgh's.

Heriot-Watt Online

The university also lists Heriot-Watt Online alongside its physical campuses. This is the option to consider if you cannot relocate to any of the five locations — but you should verify that your subject is offered in online format, as not every programme will be.

How to decide

1. Start with your subject. If it is textiles, fashion or design, look at Scottish Borders first. If it is tied to Orkney's research and consultancy areas, look there. Otherwise, Edinburgh is the default starting point.
2. Check where the programme is taught. Use the university's programme search, which lets you filter by level — Foundation, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research and Graduate Apprenticeships — to see which campus hosts your course.
3. Weigh location against programme range. Edinburgh gives you the widest choice; the specialist and international campuses give you a narrower but more focused offer.
4. Visit if you can. The university runs Open Days where you can explore campuses, talk to academics about your subject and learn about student life.

A note on rankings and outcomes

The university states that 86.8% of its research is ranked world-leading and internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and that 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 states that students ranked it top in Scotland for 2027 with Uni Compare. These figures describe the university as a whole rather than individual campuses, so treat them as context for the institution, not as a way to separate one campus from another.