Heriot-Watt is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the UK. Its origins date back to 1821 when it was a celebrated people’s college, dedicated to providing knowledge and skills for ordinary working people. Heriot-Watt received its university charter in 1966 although its name was already well established in the 19th century. It commemorates James Watt, the pioneer of steam power, and George Heriot, financier to King James VI.
The University's main campus is on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Our Scottish Borders Campus is in Galashiels, one hour south of Edinburgh and our International Centre for Island Technology is based on our Okney Campus in the beautiful Orkney Islands. We also have a campus in Dubai.
Academic strengths
The University specialises in teaching and research in the following areas: built environment, engineering and physical sciences, life sciences, MBAs and DBAs, management and languages, mathematics and computer science, petroleum engineering, textiles and design.
In the last UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), Heriot-Watt came top in the UK for petroleum engineering and actuarial mathematics and statistics, and top in Scotland for the built environment, applied mathematics, food science and technology, business and management and chemical engineering. All research areas in engineering and physical sciences and management and languages are grade 4 or above.
The University's Teaching Quality results show that in 19 subject areas, we have been judged Excellent or Highly Satisfactory or equivalent in 16 of these 19, and Satisfactory in the remaining three.
