- Heriot-Watt University ranks 325th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and third in the world for employability in QS's 2026 subject rankings
- International undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 entry ranges from £21,192 to £25,808 per year at its UK campuses
- The university teaches around 31,000 students across five campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia.
What Is Heriot-Watt University Known For?
Heriot-Watt University is a specialist science, engineering, technology and business institution based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanics' institute, it gained university status by royal charter in 1966. It is renowned for engineering, actuarial science, petroleum studies and strong graduate employability across its five global campuses.
Named after the Scottish inventor James Watt and the philanthropist and goldsmith George Heriot, the university traces its origins to the School of Arts of Edinburgh, founded in 1821 as the world's first mechanics' institute. It is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United Kingdom and today focuses on science, engineering, business and design.
Cost of studying in the UK for Indian students 2026Read →What Is Heriot-Watt's Ranking in 2026?
Heriot-Watt ranks 325th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and sits in the 401-500 band of the Times Higher Education World Rankings 2026. It is placed 31st in the United Kingdom by both the Guardian University Guide 2026 and the Complete University Guide, and third worldwide for employability in the QS 2026 subject rankings.
- 325th in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- 3rd in the world for employability in the QS 2026 subject rankings
- 8th in the world for Petroleum Engineering in the QS 2026 subject rankings
- 31st in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026
How Much Are Heriot-Watt University Tuition Fees for International Students?
For 2026-27 entry, international undergraduate tuition at Heriot-Watt's UK campuses ranges from about £21,192 per year for classroom-based degrees such as business to £25,808 per year for laboratory and engineering programmes. These figures come from the university's own official programme pages. Home and rest-of-UK students pay £9,790 per year for honours degrees.
| Undergraduate Programme (2026 Entry) | Duration | International Fee per Year |
|---|---|---|
| BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering | 4-5 years | £25,808 |
| BA (Hons) International Business Management | 4 years | £21,192 |
| Degree Accelerator / Foundation programmes | 1 year | £20,080 |
Laboratory-based science and engineering degrees sit at the top of the fee range, while classroom-based subjects such as business and social sciences are charged at the lower band. Fees are reviewed annually, so applicants should confirm the exact figure on the relevant programme page before applying.
Which Courses Does Heriot-Watt University Offer?
Heriot-Watt offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across engineering, physical sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, the built environment, textiles and design, and its Edinburgh Business School. It is especially strong in mechanical, chemical and petroleum engineering, actuarial mathematics, brewing and distilling, and international business management, taught across campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia.
- Engineering: Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Petroleum Engineering
- Mathematical, Actuarial and Computer Sciences
- Edinburgh Business School: Business, Accountancy, Finance and Management
- School of Textiles and Design at the Scottish Borders campus
- Brewing and Distilling, a specialism unique to the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling
Where Are Heriot-Watt University's Campuses?
Heriot-Watt operates five campuses across three countries. Its main campus sits on the Riccarton estate in Edinburgh, with further Scottish sites in the Scottish Borders at Galashiels and on Orkney at Stromness. Internationally, the university runs purpose-built campuses in Dubai's Academic City and in Putrajaya, Malaysia, together serving around 31,000 students worldwide.
Who Are the Notable Alumni of Heriot-Watt University?
Heriot-Watt's alumni include Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting, and the writer Muriel Spark. Professor Chris Whitty, the UK Government's Chief Medical Adviser, studied there, as did former Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish and Bernie Grant, one of Britain's first Black MPs. Olympic sailing gold medallist Shirley Robertson is also among its notable graduates.
- Irvine Welsh - author of Trainspotting
- Muriel Spark - novelist
- Professor Chris Whitty - UK Government Chief Medical Adviser
- Henry McLeish - former First Minister of Scotland
- Shirley Robertson - Olympic sailing gold medallist
How Can Indian Students Apply to Heriot-Watt University?
Indian students apply for undergraduate courses through UCAS and for postgraduate courses directly through Heriot-Watt's online portal. Most programmes require IELTS 6.0 overall alongside academic transcripts. After receiving an offer and a CAS, students apply for the UK Student visa, which costs £363 plus an Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of study.