About us

With a history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research, which has made us one of the top UK universities for business and industry.

We shape tomorrow’s work-ready, industry-fit graduates and postgraduates. We connect with industry at every level and develop programmes to match their needs. Real issues, real projects, real research – so our students get practical, real-life experience and the employer gets work- ready industry-fit graduates.
Heriot-Watt University is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was Established in  1821 as the School of Arts Edinburgh, World's first mechanic institute and subsequently was granted university. 

Heriot-Watt is an integrated global university with strong links across Europe and the rest of the world. Since our foundation as the School of Arts, the world’s first Mechanics Institute, we have been outward-looking pioneers of education, in pursuit of knowledge for the benefit of society and the world.

Our campuses across the globe and international community create a distinct university experience and a springboard for an international career. Specialist, creative and expert, our people set the gold standard and are sought by the best organisations in the world. We build inventive, entrepreneurial and resilient minds within a nurturing environment of leaders in ideas and solutions. 

Heriot-Watt is a specialist, pioneering University, with a global presence, world-renowned, Innovative, research and highly employable graduates. 82% of the University research to be world-leading on internationally excellent.

Potential for Job Opportunities - 95% of Graduates from this University are in employment within 6 months of graduation. The University boasts extensive links with business and industry, the university is known for the excellent industrial placements and companies often approach us directly seeking students for work placements or employment.

Faculty Reputation/Quality of Faculty/Top Courses:

• School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society 
• School of Energy and physical Science

2000 Residential places available at our Edinburgh Campus 

In the beginning, the School taught only chemistry, mechanics or natural philosophy, architecture and farriery. Two of the ablest students gave informal lessons in mathematics. Working men travelled from far and wide eager for knowledge and self-improvement.

One student walked 10 miles to attend evening classes at the end of a hard day’s work. This revolution in education was creating a bridge between the cultural classes with plumbers, printers and smiths attending lectures alongside students from wealthier backgrounds including the son of eminent artist Alexander Nasmyth. He was James Nasmyth, the inventor of the steam hammer. 

To survive the economic depression of the period, the School halved its fees and expanded its syllabus introducing taught classes in mathematics, English, French, drawing and ornamental modelling. By 1837 it had outgrown its first home and leased a larger property in Edinburgh’s Adam Square1. Despite its success, the School relied on donations from wealthy subscribers. This income had dwindled over the years and it now found itself in financial trouble. 

The great Scottish engineer, James Watt, hailed as the father of the industrial revolution had long been an inspiration to both students and staff. Now a fund established in his memory was to come to the School’s financial rescue. An appeal launched by Henry Cockburn, to commemorate the great inventor, saw the building of a handsome new property for the Edinburgh School of Arts, which it was able to buy outright through the generosity of the Watt Subscription Fund in 1851. To acknowledge this, the School changed its name in 1852 to the Watt Institution and School of Arts.