Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Cost of Living£ 18,156
- Tuition Fee From£ 18,048
- Country Rank#45
- Batch Strength9,493
- Global Diversity20.6%
- Gender Ratio61:38
Overview
About
Heriot-Watt University was founded in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanical academy, and is the UK's ninth oldest higher education institution. The Royal Charter established it as a university in 1966. Furthermore, one-third of Heriot-students Watt's at the Edinburgh campus are from outside the United Kingdom, and the university's worldwide emphasis is mirrored in the 10,000 students from 150 countries enrolled in its international programmes.
| University Name | Heriot-Watt University |
|---|---|
| Official Website | https://www.hw.ac.uk/ |
| Year of Establishment | 1821 |
| Average Living Cost | £17,674 - £18,174 |
| Total International Students | 11,680 |
| University Type | Public |
| For Study Abroad Counselling | Click Here |
Ranking
Heriot-Watt University is globally recognised for its outstanding academics, reflected in major world university rankings. In the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, it is placed between 501-600, unchanged from the previous year. Heriot-Watt climbed the QS World University Rankings to reach 235 in 2024, marking an improvement. However, it slipped to 725 in the 2023 US News & World Report global rankings from its prior standing. While minor ranking fluctuations occur annually, Heriot-Watt sustains its reputation as a premier global institution for international students seeking a world-class education. Its current position among the top 750 universities worldwide in competitive indexes confirms Heriot-Watt’s calibre relative to peer institutions in teaching, research, knowledge transfer and student outcomes. Given below are the Heriot-Watt University rankings in 2024:
- QS - World University Ranking: #235
- The Complete University Guide - University Ranking UK: #44
- The Guardian - University Rankings: #85
Course-Wise Rankings
The Heriot-Watt University performs well in terms of rankings for its programmes in the field of Business. Educational publications like The Complete University Guide and The Guardian have ranked the university’s business courses in the top 50 universities. Both The Guardian and The Complete University Guide have also ranked other programmes offered by the university and the majority of them are ranked in the top 40. Apart from Business, fields such as Engineering and Computer studies have also been ranked well by publications like THE University Rankings, and QS World University Rankings. Below are a few course-wise rankings of the institution in 2024 -
Business & Management Studies Courses:
- The Complete University Guide - Business and Management Studies UK: #41
- The Guardian - Business and Management: #104
- The Guardian - Guardian Economics Rankings: #14
Engineering Courses:
- The Complete University Guide - Chemical Engineering Ranking: #16
- The Complete University Guide - Civil Engineering Ranking: #22
- The Complete University Guide - Electrical and Electronic Engineering: #39
- The Complete University Guide - Mechanical Engineering Ranking: #30
- The Guardian - Civil Engineering: #20
- The Guardian - Electronic and Electrical Engineering: #16
- The Guardian - Mechanical Engineering: #45
Humanities & Social Sciences Courses:
- The Complete University Guide - Psychology Rankings: #62
Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Courses:
- The Complete University Guide - Art and Design Rankings: #69
Science Courses:
- The Complete University Guide - Biological Sciences Rankings: #49
- The Complete University Guide - Computer Science: #33
- The Complete University Guide - Physics and Astronomy Ranking: #32
- The Guardian - Guardian Physics Rankings: #18
Accounting & Commerce Courses:
- The Complete University Guide - Accounting and Finance Ranking: #23
- The Guardian - Accounting and Finance Rankings: #59
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
#281
#725
2022
#270
#725
2021
#270
#663
Facilities
International students are greeted warmly and respectfully, and whatever support they may want is provided. With outstanding athletic facilities and access to a diverse choice of clubs and organisations, you will be able to discover like-minded individuals to share your hobbies or interests. You can find a number of Heriot-Watt University facilities on the university’s campuses.
Scottish Borders Campus
The Heriot-Watt Scottish Borders campus, situated in the centre of Scotland's luxury textile sector, has the best textile and fashion design and production capabilities in the UK.
Edinburgh Campus
At the Edinburgh Campus, you can access the following facilities & services -
- Library & Learning Common Areas
- Computer Facilities
- Sports Centre
- Bank Services
- Shopping Arenas
- Transport & Parking
- Healthcare facilities
- Museum & Archive
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate:
The acceptance rate of Heriot-Watt University is 55%. This indicates that out of all students who apply to study at Heriot-Watt University, about 60% percent are offered places. The 40% who are not accepted either do not meet the academic or English language requirements set by the university, have applied for programmes with limited space availability, or get edged out by other candidates with stronger profiles. With 6 out of every 10 applicants gaining entry, Heriot-Watt aims to maintain academic standards and only admit students they believe have the potential to successfully complete their programmes.
Entry Requirements
The university offers 120 bachelors, 247 masters and 185 doctoral degree programmes through its 5 campuses. With a moderately selective acceptance rate of 84%, students with good academic records who meet the Heriot-Watt University entry requirements can get admission to the university. Students may also have to pay an application fee. Below is a list of the entry requirements for admission -
- Academic Transcripts
- Proof of English Proficiency
- Medical Insurance
- Work Experience (if applicable)
- Proof of Financial Stability
- Statement of purpose
- Reference letter
- Statement of Declaration
- Research Proposal (for PG Research)
English Language Proficiency test scores are listed below -
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:
1. From a majority English-speaking country or completed a degree equivalent to UK standards from such a country, as defined by UKVI, within the last 2 years.
2. Successfully finished a UK degree programme taught entirely in English within the last 2 years. Heriot-Watt will evaluate non-UK degrees on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like subject relevance and recency of completion.
3. Achieved the required scores on an accepted English language test, no more than 2 years old at the following levels:
|
Test |
Undergraduate Programmes |
Postgraduate Programmes |
Interpreting/Translating Programmes |
|
IELTS Academic |
6.0 overall with no score below 5.5 |
6.0 overall with no score below 5.5 |
7.0 overall with no score below 6.5 |
|
PTE Academic |
65 overall (min 59 in each section) |
65 overall (min 59 in each section) |
73 overall (min 67 in each section) |
|
TOEFL iBT |
79 overall (min Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21) |
79 overall (min Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21) |
90 overall (min Reading 22, Listening 21, Speaking 23, Writing 23 |
|
Cambridge |
169-175 |
169-175 |
Not Applicable |
|
Trinity ISE II |
Pass in all components |
Pass in all components |
Not Applicable |
|
LanguageCert |
B2: min 33 in each of the 4 components |
B2: min 33 in each of the 4 components |
C1: min 25 in each of the 4 components |
|
CEFR |
mid-B2 |
mid-B2 |
high B2/low C1 |
Fees
The Heriot-Watt University offers several courses to both postgraduate and undergraduate students. Below are the fees for some of the most preferred courses available at the institution -
- M.Sc International Business Management - £17,304 /Year
- M.B.A - £47,538 /Year
- M.Sc Civil Engineering and Construction Management - £16,184 /Year
- B.B.A - £16,000 /Year
- M.Sc Construction Project Management - £16,184 /Year
- M.Sc International Business Management with Finance - £17,304 /Year
Scholarship
Refer to the table given below to learn about different scholarships offered at Heriot-Watt University:
|
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
|
International Scholarships |
All international undergraduate and postgraduate students. |
£1,500 fee abatement |
|
Alumni Discount Scheme |
For all international postgraduate students |
20% fee discount |
|
Sports Scholarships Programme |
The criteria varies by sport but includes at least one of these: being an institute-supported athlete, competing at youth international level, or being on a Performance Pathway Programme. |
Covers tuition fees |
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal overseas education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options in Edinburgh available for students planning to attend Heriot-Watt University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
Uniacco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Edinburgh is a vibrant and dynamic city that provides students with a wealth of opportunities for learning, exploration, and socializing. The city is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful architecture, making it an ideal location for students. There are also many cultural and sporting events taking place throughout the year, including music festivals, theatre performances, and sporting competitions, which provide students with opportunities to get involved and have fun. The cost of living is cheap compared to major cities in the UK. This makes it a great option for international students. Below is a list of the expenses that prospective students should keep in mind -
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
£784 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
£636 |
|
Transportation |
£60 |
|
Food Cost |
£420 |
|
Entertainment |
£40 |
|
Groceries |
£128 |
|
Clothes |
£70 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
£1,502 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
£1,354 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
$18,024 |
The above data is sourced from Cost of Living in Edinburgh on UniAcco.
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