Heriot-Watt University : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details | Top Universities
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Heriot-Watt University

Location

Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Edinburgh United Kingdom

Ranking

# =256QS World University Rankings

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81Undergraduate programs

PGicon

154Postgraduate programs

Tuitionfee

20,000 GBPTuition Fee/year

About Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University is valued for its pioneering research, informed by the global needs of business and industry. With a rich heritage stretching back to 1821, we are a truly global university bringing together scholars who are leaders in ideas and solutions delivering innovation, educational excellence and ground-breaking research.  

We are specialists in business, engineering, design and the physical, social and life sciences – subjects which make a real impact on the world and society.

With our roots in Scotland, our ambition and reach are truly international.  We are a global university with around 27,000 students, five campuses and over 100 learning partners around the world. We are one of Scotland’s most international universities; around a third of Heriot-Watt students in Edinburgh are from outside the UK.

Our campuses are based in some of the world’s most inspiring locations in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia. Each offers superb facilities, safe surroundings and an international welcome. We have built connected and integrated learning environments close to the vibrant cities of Edinburgh, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. 

About Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University is valued for its pioneering research, informed by the global needs of business and industry. With a rich heritage stretching back to 1821, we are a truly global university bringing together scholars who are leaders in ideas and solutions delivering innovation, educational excellence and ground-breaking research.  

We are specialists in business, engineering, design and the physical, social and life sciences – subjects which make a real impact on the world and society.

With our roots in Scotland, our ambition and reach are truly international.  We are a global university with around 27,000 students, five campuses and over 100 learning partners around the world. We are one of Scotland’s most international universities; around a third of Heriot-Watt students in Edinburgh are from outside the UK.

Our campuses are based in some of the world’s most inspiring locations in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia. Each offers superb facilities, safe surroundings and an international welcome. We have built connected and integrated learning environments close to the vibrant cities of Edinburgh, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. 

Available programs

From top 10 rankings to opportunities to study abroad, there are many reasons to choose Heriot-Watt.  Here are just a few of them.

A rich heritage
We are proud that since our foundation in 1821 we have been outward-looking pioneers of education, in pursuit of knowledge to the benefit of society and the world.

Become a global student
Heriot-Watt provides you with the opportunity to become a global student both at our UK campuses and internationally. On our Edinburgh Campus you’ll find that about one-third of our students are from countries outside the UK, bringing a real international flavour to our community. This mix of people provides a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and build friendships that stretch across the globe.

We also encourage students to take part in our global student programme, Go Global, by participating in an Inter-Campus Transfer, Exchange or Erasmus+ for a semester or year of their degree.

A world-class reputation
We are world-renowned for excellence in teaching and research. We are ranked 235th in the world and 32nd in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2024), and almost 90% of our research outputs are classed as world-leading and internationally excellent (REF 2021). View our rankings.

Strong links to business and industry
Our taught programmes and research are informed by the needs of business and industry. We actively facilitate collaborations and partnerships, building strategic alliances and promoting knowledge transfer.

Globally employable graduates
Global companies actively seek out our graduates as they are work-ready. Our programmes are designed to ensure that students receive a relevant, careerorientated education. As a result, more than 95% are in employment or further study six months after completing their programme.

Worldwide network
When you join Heriot-Watt you become part of a global family. We have around 123,000 alumni worldwide. The Watt Club was founded in 1854 and is the oldest graduate club in the UK. Lifetime membership is automatic upon graduation from Heriot-Watt and is free to all graduates of the University.

Heriot-Watt is one of the world’s leading universities with strong links to international business and industry driven by our established reputation as a top research-led institution. Heriot-Watt is world-renowned for conducting ground-breaking research which is relevant to business and industry. We aim to find radical innovations and solutions to real world challenges for the benefit of society.

We offer over 180 Postgraduate courses that will provide you with the knowledge to solve real world challenges. There are around 2,400 postgraduate students studying at our Edinburgh Campus. It is a friendly, welcoming place, where you will have the opportunity to meet with students from all over the world.

Heriot-Watt is regarded as a top UK university across a range of subject areas. The QS World’s University Rankings ranked Heriot-Watt 302nd in the world, 39th in the UK and 7th in Scotland. 

The international outlook of our university has been ranked 37th in the world, 13th in the UK and 3rd in Scotland by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019.  This is based on the percentage of the university's international staff, the level of international co-authorship of academic papers and the percentage of international students studying with the university.  The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide named Heriot-Watt University ‘International University of the Year 2018’.

REF 2014 named Heriot-Watt in the top 25% of UK universities, with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. We ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact. View our rankings.

MSc Accountancy

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MSc Finance

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MSc Data Science

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MSc Energy

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MSc Robotics

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MSc Mathematics

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University information

Visit our website to find out what you need to apply for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at our Edinburgh, Scottish Borders or Orkney campuses and how to complete your online application. You can also apply for Academic English programmes at our Edinburgh Campus.

General

3+
590+
30+
1400+
27+
169+
50+
78+
6+

Bachelor

1250+
3+
80+
6+
80+

Master

6.5+
3.3+

At Heriot-Watt University, we offer a wide range of services to help you deal with all aspects of your life with us, whether these be academic, personal, technical, financial or social.

Library and Learning Commons

Edinburgh students can expect high quality, technology-enabled study spaces in our Library and Learning Commons areas. The recurrent resources budget ensures easy and plentiful access to textbooks and journals, both online and in paper format. The on-campus library is open 24/7 during semester and exam times, giving you plenty of time to find and use the books, journals and other material.


Oriam

In 2016, our Edinburgh Campus became home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre. Whether it's an occasional visit to the gym or a daily squash game, Heriot-Watt can accommodate and help develop all levels of sporting ambition.

Oriam, Scotland's Sports Performance Centre at the Edinburgh Campus is recognised as one of the best university sports centres in the UK. Facilities include sports halls, playing pitches, squash courts, gyms and fitness classes, and new for 2024 we have just opened a new indoor tennis centre, with six indoor courts. There are also physiotherapy, podiatry, sports massage, and sports science testing services.

GRID

GRID is a new ground-breaking facility to advance our global research, innovation and discovery. It has been designed to create cohesion between academic disciplines, industry partners and the global community, providing an innovative teaching and learning environment for mathematics, engineering, physical sciences and computer science students and staff.

10,223
69%
31%
4,265
42%
58%
812
49%
51%

Student life

Around 10,500 students are based on our Edinburgh Campus creating a lively environment for studying and socialising. It is designed to help you work and play and is full of high quality facilities to accommodate your needs, be they academic, social, sporting, cultural, religious, transport or health related.

There are excellent services to ensure you feel fully supported while studying here, including our Student Wellbeing Centre (including counselling and disability services), Global Student Office (international student advice, student funding and Go Global) and Accommodation Office, an award-winning Careers Service, a Health Centre and the Chaplaincy.

In between studying you’ll find the Campus a great place to unwind and relax with so much to do. You can wander the peaceful parkland or access some of Scotland’s state-of-the-art sports facilities at ORIAM, or socialise in our vibrant Student Union, or join one of our many student clubs and societies.

The Careers Service aims to assist Heriot-Watt University students and graduates to make informed career choices by providing a professional, high quality careers guidance and information service for students and recent graduates of Heriot-Watt. We work closely with employers and academic Schools to support students by developing the skills they need to maximise their employability.

Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

9,250 GBP
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International Students

20,000 GBP
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One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
opportunities

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

how_to

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

list

A list of available scholarships around the world

checklist

A scholarship application checklist

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download_icon Download Scholarship Guide

Rankings & ratings

Heriot-Watt University is one of the top public universities in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It is ranked #=256 in QS World University Rankings 2025.

QS World University Rankings

  • 2012
    #388
  • 2014
    #369
  • 2015
    #=352
  • 2016
    #318
  • 2017
    #=327
  • 2018
    #312
  • 2019
    #=302
  • 2020
    #314
  • 2021
    #301
  • 2022
    #=270
  • 2023
    #=281
  • 2024
    #235
  • 2025
    #=256

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FAQs

Heriot-Watt specialises in business, science, technology, engineering, and design, with career-focused degrees that allow its graduates to make a real impact on the world and society. The University has strong links to industry and an award-winning careers service who provide lifelong support to students, which is why its graduates are highly employable.
As a global research-led university, Heriot-Watt has five campuses located in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia. Students are encouraged to join the wide range of events, clubs, and societies to feel part of this global community.

Many Heriot-Watt graduates progress into leading roles around the world, delivering a positive influence on communities and affecting change. A fact recently borne out when the University topped a UK-wide survey that found 15.7% of its graduates transitioned into CEO or MD positions ( Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2023).


Whilst most Heriot-Watt graduates are successful in securing professional roles in organisations ranging from large global multinationals to SMEs, studying at Heriot-Watt also opens opportunities for entrepreneurial graduates to start their own business. 


The University has a distinguished history in enterprise and entrepreneurship with a range of academic programmes and key links with industry. This unique learning experience gives students real-life insight into how modern business works and equips them with the confidence, knowledge and experience required to succeed.

Heriot-Watt University advanced Public Very High 13 yes 20000 4265 M 730