Heriot-Watt University
Oilthigh Heriot-Watt
Edinburgh's applied science and engineering university, founded in 1821 as the world's first mechanics' institute.
- Students
- 9,705
- International
- 44%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 15.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £22,040
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1821
About Heriot-Watt
Heriot-Watt began on 16 October 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanics' institute, set up to teach working people science and technology. It takes its name from the inventor James Watt and the philanthropist George Heriot, whose trust helped fund Heriot-Watt College in 1885, and it became a university by royal charter in 1966. Twenty years before Scottish universities had to admit women in 1889, campaigner Mary Burton persuaded the Watt Institution to admit women students.
The main campus is at Riccarton on the south-west edge of Edinburgh, a parkland site the university moved to between 1969 and 1992; it also hosts Europe's first university research park, opened in 1971. Heriot-Watt has further campuses in the Scottish Borders (textiles and design), Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia. Teaching is organised into schools covering energy, geoscience and infrastructure; engineering and physical sciences; mathematical and computer sciences; social sciences; and textiles and design.
Heriot-Watt suits applicants who want applied, industry-facing degrees such as chemical engineering, actuarial science, and brewing and distilling. Its Scottish four-year honours degrees let well-qualified A-level students enter directly into second year, and entry grades are moderate: typical A-level offers for 2027 range from BBC to AAB.
Why students choose Heriot-Watt
Chemical Engineering is ranked 2nd in the UK and 1st in Scotland in the Guardian University Guide 2027.
A-level students can apply for direct entry to Year 2 of many degrees, finishing a Scottish honours degree in three years (for example AAA including Maths for Actuarial Science).
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland get an automatic Heriot-Watt University Bursary of up to £3,100 a year based on household income.
Brewing and Distilling is a specialist BSc taught in Edinburgh, with a typical offer of BBC including Maths and Biology or Chemistry.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Heriot-Watt does not publish an offer rate. It publishes standard and lower minimum entry requirements (under its Fair Access Policy) and says offers for the most popular programmes are likely to be above the minimum.
Typical entry requirements
| Scottish Highers | Year 1 standard entry for 2027, e.g. ABBB with Maths at B (Computer Science), AABB (Economics), AAAB with Maths at A (Actuarial Science) or with Chemistry and Maths (Chemical Engineering MEng), over two sittings |
|---|---|
| A-levels | Year 1 standard entry, e.g. BBC (Computer Science, Economics, Brewing and Distilling), BBB with Chemistry and Maths (Chemical Engineering MEng), AAB with Maths at A (Actuarial Science); Year 2 direct entry, e.g. AAA with Maths at A (Actuarial Science) |
| IB Diploma | Year 1: 28 points (Computer Science, Actuarial Science with HL Maths 6), 29 (Economics, Brewing and Distilling), 30 (Chemical Engineering); Year 2 direct entry, e.g. 30 points with HL Maths 7 (Actuarial Science) |
| English language | IELTS 6 IELTS 6.0 with no score below 5.5 for programmes such as Computer Science, Chemical Engineering and Economics; 6.5 with no score below 6.0 for Actuarial Science. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Only relevant if you also apply to Oxford, Cambridge or courses in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Equal consideration deadline; Heriot-Watt continues to accept later applications but cannot guarantee consideration for high-demand programmes.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received by this date are sent to universities if courses still have places; after it, applications go into Clearing.
UCAS dates for 2027 entry. For 2026 entry, overseas applicants could apply directly until 24 July 2026; the 2027 direct-application deadline has not yet been published. The accommodation guarantee deadline for 2027/28 is 12:00 on 21 June 2027.
How to apply
UK applicants apply through UCAS. Overseas applicants can apply through UCAS or directly using the university's online application form. Admissions tutors consider grades, the personal statement (about 60% on the programme and 40% on wider skills and experience), the reference and background circumstances.
What admissions looks for
- At least the minimum academic entry requirements, with higher offers likely for the most popular programmes.
- A personal statement that spends about 60% on why you want the programme and 40% on transferable skills from work, volunteering, sport or other activities.
- A reference from a teacher or tutor who can comment on your ability to complete the programme.
- Background circumstances, such as attending a low-progression school or being first in family to university, and recognised access programmes such as LEAPS and SWAP East.
Tips for applying to Heriot-Watt
- 1 If you are taking A-levels or the IB, check whether your grades qualify you for direct entry to Year 2, which saves a year of fees and living costs.
- 2 Look at the minimum entry requirements as well as the standard ones: the Fair Access Policy lowers offers for eligible Scottish and rest-of-UK students, for example those living in SIMD20 areas.
- 3 International fee-paying applicants should contact their regional team about International Merit Scholarships, which are awarded as a first-year fee reduction.
- 4 Apply for accommodation by 21 June 2027 to be covered by the first-year accommodation guarantee.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
Eligible Scottish students have their tuition paid by SAAS. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland paying rest-of-UK fees automatically receive the Heriot-Watt University Bursary of £1,100 to £3,100 a year depending on household income. The university is awarding over £500,000 in International Merit Scholarships to international students starting in January and September 2027, usually as a first-year fee reduction.
- £3,100 per year
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (household income up to £25,000)
- £2,100 or £1,100 per year
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (£25,001-£42,600)
- Over £500,000 in total
- International Merit Scholarships, 2027 intakes
Academics
Chemical Engineering (MEng/BEng)
2nd in the UK and 1st in Scotland in the Guardian University Guide 2027; typical A-level offer BBB with Chemistry and Maths.
Actuarial Science (BSc)
Taught by the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences; AAB with Maths at A for Year 1 or AAA for direct entry to Year 2.
Brewing and Distilling (BSc)
A specialist science degree for the brewing and distilling industries; typical offer BBC with Maths and Biology or Chemistry.
Economics
Ranked 7th in the UK and 2nd in Scotland in the Guardian University Guide 2027; international fee £22,040 (2027).
Computer Science (BSc)
Typical offer BBC with Maths; the Daily Mail University Guide 2026 ranks Heriot-Watt 6th in the UK and 1st in Scotland for artificial intelligence, per the university.
Fashion and Textiles
Taught at the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels; Heriot-Watt is top 3 in Scotland for fashion and textiles in the Guardian University Guide 2027.
Research
- Heriot-Watt opened Europe's first university research park on its Riccarton campus in 1971.
- Mary Burton's campaign led the Watt Institution to admit women students two decades before Scottish universities were required to in 1889.
- REF 2021 rated 86.8% of Heriot-Watt's research as world-leading or internationally excellent, with world-leading research in Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering, and Architecture, Built Environment and Planning.
- Heriot-Watt is ranked 22nd in the UK for industry in THE World University Rankings 2026, per the university.
Schools & faculties
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
- School of Social Sciences (including Edinburgh Business School)
- School of Textiles and Design
- Global College
The Complete University Guide 2027 places Heriot-Watt 49th in the UK and 10th in Scotland for graduate outcomes, and the Daily Mail University Guide 2026 ranks it 12th in the UK for graduate salaries, per the university.
Student life
Most students live and study on the Riccarton campus, 380 acres of parkland on the south-west edge of Edinburgh with residences, the Student Union's main premises and the Oriam sports performance centre. First-years who apply by 21 June 2027 are guaranteed an accommodation offer on or off campus if they live outside the City of Edinburgh. Textiles and design students are based at the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels, which has its own student village and union branch.
- The Watt Club, founded in 1854, is the oldest alumni organisation in the UK.
- Oriam, Scotland's sports performance centre, is on the Edinburgh campus.
- Heriot-Watt also has campuses in Dubai and Malaysia, with a similar range of programmes.
- Ranked 1st in Scotland by students in Uni Compare 2027, per the university.
Housing. New full-time first-year students living outside the City of Edinburgh are guaranteed an accommodation offer, on or off campus, if they hold a firm offer and apply by 12:00 on 21 June 2027; direct entrants to Year 2 or 3 are included.
Location
The main campus is at Riccarton, near Currie on the south-west edge of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, so students get a green, self-contained campus with the city centre reachable by bus. Edinburgh offers festivals, historic streets and a large student population across several universities. Some specialist programmes are taught in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and on Orkney.
Nearest airport: Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Notable alumni
- DS Douglas StuartNovelist, winner of the 2020 Booker Prize for Shuggie Bain; BA from the Scottish College of Textiles, now part of Heriot-Watt
- IW Irvine WelshAuthor of Trainspotting; studied for an MBA at Heriot-Watt
- CW Chris WhittyChief Medical Officer for England; MBA from Heriot-Watt (2010)
- JN James NasmythEngineer and inventor of the steam hammer
- HM Henry McLeishFormer First Minister of Scotland
- HA Hassan Ali KhaireFormer Prime Minister of Somalia; MBA from Edinburgh Business School (2001)
Frequently asked questions
Can I start in second year at Heriot-Watt with A-levels?
Yes, for many programmes. For example, Actuarial Science offers direct entry to Year 2 with AAA including Maths at A (or 30 IB points with HL Maths 7).
How much are Heriot-Watt's fees for students from England?
£10,050 a year for the September 2027 intake, with an automatic Heriot-Watt University Bursary of up to £3,100 a year depending on household income.
How much does Heriot-Watt cost for international students?
For the September 2027 intake, international fees on programme pages range from £22,040 (Economics) to £26,840 (for example Computer Science, Chemical Engineering and Actuarial Science).
Can international students apply directly to Heriot-Watt?
Yes. Overseas applicants can apply through UCAS or directly through the university's online application form.
Is accommodation guaranteed at Heriot-Watt?
New full-time first-years who live outside the City of Edinburgh, hold a firm offer and apply by 12:00 on 21 June 2027 are guaranteed an offer of accommodation on or off campus.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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