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UNITED KINGDOM · EDINBURGH

Heriot-Watt University

public · Founded 1821 · Languages: en

In short

Heriot-Watt University, established in 1821 in Edinburgh, Scotland, is a global institution focused on engineering, business, and science with strong industry links and high graduate employability. It offers programs across five international campuses and provides significant scholarship support.

Key facts

Type: Public
Founded: 1821
Students: 27,000
International students: 11,000
Acceptance rate: 87%
Tuition (intl): €14–22k/yr
Languages: EN
Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Heriot-Watt University is a pioneering institution with a rich history dating back to 1821 in Edinburgh, Scotland. With a global presence, it offers a distinct university experience designed to be a springboard for international careers. The university focuses on transformational solutions in engineering, business, and science, boasting strong connections with industry and a commitment to impactful research. Heriot-Watt has campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, serving a diverse student body from 154 countries. It is recognized for high graduate employability and world-leading research in its specialist areas.

Why study here

Access to a global network of campuses and a highly international student body, enhancing a global outlook.
Benefit from education driven by world-leading and internationally excellent research, with a strong focus on real-world impact.
Join a university ranked highly for graduate employment and producing leaders in business.
Opportunity to study specialist subjects across engineering, business, and science with strong industry connections.
Engage with a vibrant student life, including Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre, Oriam, on the Edinburgh Campus.
Be part of an institution with a 200-year history of pioneering education and a commitment to sustainability.

Student life

Student life at Heriot-Watt University offers a dynamic and supportive environment across its campuses. The Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre, a state-of-the-art £33 million facility. This centre supports elite athletes and offers extensive sporting opportunities for all students and staff, including 34 sports clubs through the Heriot-Watt Sports Union. Beyond competitive sport, the university promotes an Active Wellbeing program with activities like recreational sports, wellbeing walks, running groups, and annual events such as the Colour Run, fostering physical and mental health. The university community is global, with students from 154 countries, and a strong alumni network, providing a rich cultural and social experience.

Fees

InternationalInternational undergraduate tuition ranges from approximately £14,000 to £22,000 per year depending on programme; postgraduate taught programmes typically cost £14,500–£21,000. Online programmes through Edinburgh Business School may carry different fees.

HomeScottish-domiciled students at undergraduate level pay fees set by SAAS (currently £1,820 per year for eligible students). RUK (rest of UK) undergraduates pay up to £9,250 per year.

LivingLiving costs in Edinburgh are estimated at £12,000–£15,000 per year including accommodation, food, and transport.

Heriot-Watt University disburses over £6 million annually in scholarships and bursaries to more than 400 students. Specific awards exist for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research students, as well as for those studying at Dubai and Malaysia campuses.

Admissions

Undergraduate entryScottish Highers ABBB or A-levels BBB; BTEC and international qualifications considered

Postgraduate entryMinimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent; work experience valued for MBA

English (IELTS)Overall 6.0 with no band below 5.5 (undergraduate); 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (most postgraduate)

IELTS6.0–6.5 depending on programme

TOEFL iBT79–90 depending on programme

PTE Academic51–58

Rankings

QS World University Rankings 2026287

QS World University Rankings 2026 (UK)34

Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024 (Scotland)1st

Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024 (UK)2nd

Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026Runner-up Scottish University of the Year

University scholarships

Chevening ScholarshipsFull tuition + living stipend

Commonwealth ScholarshipFull tuition + living costs

Heriot-Watt Merit AwardUp to £3,000 per year

Island Scholarship (Orkney)Varies — supports relocation to Orkney for clean energy/marine science postgraduate study

Accreditation

Heriot-Watt University is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and holds multiple professional accreditations across its programmes, including IChemE, IMechE, RICS, CIMA, CIArb, and AACSB for its business school. It is regulated by the Scottish Funding Council and quality-reviewed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

For international students

United Kingdom

Student visa & funds

International students apply for the UK Student visa, which replaced the former Tier 4 (General) route. You need an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and must show maintenance funds held for at least 28 consecutive days. As of November 2025 the requirement is £1,529 per month (for up to nine months) for courses in London and £1,171 per month for courses elsewhere, on top of tuition. Students who have already held a UK visa for 12 months, and nationals of certain low-risk countries, are exempt from evidencing the funds.

Working while you study

On a degree-level course at a licensed higher-education provider, you may work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official vacation periods; sub-degree courses are capped at 10 hours per week. There is no distinction between on-campus and off-campus work, but self-employment and working as a professional sportsperson or coach are not permitted. Once you have completed all course requirements you may work full-time until your visa expires.

After you graduate

Graduates of an eligible UK degree can apply for the Graduate visa (the Graduate Route) without needing an employer sponsor. As of 2026, bachelor’s and master’s graduates receive two years of open work permission and PhD graduates receive three years. Under the 2025 immigration reforms, applications made on or after 1 January 2027 will grant 18 months instead of two years for non-doctoral qualifications, while PhD holders keep three years.

English tests

IELTSUG 6.0–6.5; PG 6.5–7.0; competitive/Russell Group courses up to 7.0–7.5
TOEFL iBTUG 80–90; PG 90–100; top research universities 100+
PTE AcademicUG 51–65; PG 59–75

Main intakes

SeptemberJanuary

Typical living cost

€1,400/month

Approximate all-in student budget; major cities run higher.

SourcesGOV.UK — Student visa: money you need · GOV.UK — Student visa: working · GOV.UK — Graduate visa · UKCISA — Changes to the Student and Graduate rules · Fateh Education — IELTS requirements for UK universities (2026) · Fateh Education — UK living expenses for students (2026)

Programs

a selection

View top programs →

Heriot-Watt University · United Kingdom

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional research degree designed to equip you with advanced skills to develop innovative solutions within your professional field or organization. This program offers intensive training in research methodologies, personalized guidance from expert supervisors, and a flexible study structure that allows you to leverage your existing professional networks. Graduates are prepared to translate knowledge into practice, driving impactful and transformational change. The DBA is ideal for experienced professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of advanced business administration principles.

Heriot-Watt University · United Kingdom

Master of Design Games Design and Development

This Master of Design (MDes) programme in Games Design and Development offers a unique opportunity to design and develop your own computer game to high industry standards. You will gain hands-on experience with the entire product lifecycle, acquire technical and professional skills, and develop entrepreneurship knowledge. The programme is designed to help you transition smoothly into design and programming roles within the games industry. Led by an award-winning indie developer and supported by experienced faculty, you'll hone skills in game design, 3D graphics, UI/UX, and more. The degree leverages a purpose-built Games Studio within the university's innovation and entrepreneurship GRID building, providing a blend of practical learning, technical expertise, and an interdisciplinary approach to game production.

Heriot-Watt University · United Kingdom

MBA

Heriot-Watt University · United Kingdom

MBA Master of Business Administration

The Heriot-Watt University online MBA is designed for ambitious professionals seeking to advance their careers into senior leadership roles. This flexible, self-paced program allows you to learn from anywhere in the world and apply new skills immediately. You can start with a single course to build your confidence and progress towards a full MBA, a Postgraduate Certificate, or an MBA with a specialism. The curriculum focuses on developing essential leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with optional specialisms in areas like finance, big data, and marketing. With over 200 years of academic excellence and a commitment to flexible learning, Heriot-Watt Online aims to provide a practical and resilient MBA experience tailored to your career aspirations and life commitments. The program leverages industry-aligned courses and offers access to a global community of learners and alumni, preparing you for complex business challenges and leadership opportunities.

Heriot-Watt University · United Kingdom

MBA Master of Business Administration with a Specialism in Business Analytics

This online MBA with a Specialism in Business Analytics is designed by Edinburgh Business School to equip you with fundamental business knowledge alongside advanced skills in data analysis. You will learn about finance, organizational behaviour, strategy, leadership, marketing, and project management, with a specific focus on how to leverage business data for strategic decision-making. The programme aims to make you a valuable asset to employers by enhancing your ability to apply analytical insights to real-world business challenges and drive success.

Heriot-Watt University · United Kingdom

MBA Master of Business Administration with a Specialism in Business Psychology

This online MBA with a Specialism in Business Psychology is designed for aspiring leaders who want to combine management expertise with psychological insight. It focuses on building more effective, engaged, and high-performing teams by enhancing your understanding of both business principles and human behaviour. The programme aims to equip you with skills for leadership, HR, executive coaching, and consultancy roles, preparing you for the demands of a people-driven economy. You will learn to influence, motivate, and build high-performing cultures, resolve complex management problems using psychological tools, and drive sustainable organisational change.

Scholarships

for United Kingdom

Browse all scholarships →

full funding

Wellcome Trust

Wellcome Discovery Awards

Open to established researchers and research teams with a proven record of research delivery who are based at, or will be hosted by, an eligible not-for-profit organisation in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, or an eligible low- or middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China). Projects must propose bold, transformative research aligned with Wellcome's mission to improve health. The award does not cover the lead applicant's own salary, and a researcher may lead only one active Discovery Award submission.

The Alan Turing Institute

Open Source AI Fellowship (UK)

Open to AI professionals and researchers who are legally eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship, have resided in the UK for at least 5 years (a security check is required), are employed by a UK-based organisation willing to support a 12-month secondment, and hold a PhD or equivalent professional experience in AI or a related discipline.

Skoll Foundation / University of Oxford Saïd Business School

Skoll Scholarship for the Oxford MBA

Open to applicants of any nationality admitted to the full-time one-year Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School who can demonstrate a track record of entrepreneurial action creating positive social or environmental impact, and for whom the cost of the programme is a significant financial burden.

Rhodes Scholarship

For talented young people from around the world to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Around 100 scholars are selected each year from more than 60 countries and constituencies; applications are made in your home country or constituency, each with its own age and eligibility rules.

Gates Cambridge Trust

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom applying for a full-time postgraduate degree (PhD, MSc/MLitt, or one-year master's) at the University of Cambridge. Selection weighs academic excellence, a strong fit with the chosen Cambridge course, a clear commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential.

Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG), tenable at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford

Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) Scholarships at the University of Oxford

Open to West African nationals (for example from Nigeria and Ghana) seeking to study the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Applicants are generally aged between 25 and 45, hold a strong undergraduate degree (typically second-class upper or above), demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to Africa's public sector, and intend to apply their learning in their home country's public service.

Frequently asked questions

What are the tuition fees for international students at Heriot-Watt University?

International undergraduate tuition fees typically range from approximately £14,000 to £22,000 per year, depending on the program. Postgraduate taught programs generally cost between £14,500 and £21,000 annually. Fees for online programs through Edinburgh Business School may differ.

What are the estimated living costs for students in Edinburgh?

Living costs in Edinburgh are estimated to be between £12,000 and £15,000 per year. This estimate includes expenses such as accommodation, food, and transportation.

Does Heriot-Watt University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes, Heriot-Watt University disburses over £6 million annually in scholarships and bursaries to more than 400 students. Specific awards are available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research students, including those studying at their international campuses.

What are the entry requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate programs?

For undergraduate study, typical requirements include Scottish Highers ABBB or A-levels BBB. Postgraduate entry generally requires a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or its international equivalent, with work experience being valued for MBA programs.

What is Heriot-Watt University's global presence?

Heriot-Watt University has a global presence with campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia. This allows for a diverse and international student body, with students from 154 countries.

Last updated 3 July 2026