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Heriot-Watt University Rankings 2024-25

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

  • Cost of Living£ 18,156
  • Tuition Fee From£ 19,056
  • Country Rank-
  • Batch Strength9,493
  • Global Diversity20.6%
  • Gender Ratio61:38

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses, with its main campus located in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. The Edinburgh campus is particularly well-known for its strong programmes in engineering, business, and actuarial mathematics. As a leading research university, Heriot-Watt is popular among students seeking degrees in STEM fields like computer science, renewable energy, and construction project management.

Heriot-Watt University consistently achieves high global rankings, offering a broad spectrum of courses across various fields. In 2025, Heriot-Watt University achieved its highest global ranking to date, securing the 256th position in the QS World University Rankings. The institution also made significant strides in the UK, reaching 42nd place according to The Complete University Guide. The previous year, 2024, saw the university climb to 121st in Europe in the QS rankings, while also making a notable jump to 351st globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. Additionally, The Guardian placed Heriot-Watt at 85th in the UK for 2024. Looking back to 2023, the university held the 281st spot in the QS global rankings and was ranked 725th worldwide by US News & World Report. The rankings for both 2023 and 2022 consistently placed Heriot-Watt at 501st globally, highlighting the substantial improvement seen in subsequent years. These diverse results across different ranking systems reflect the dynamic nature of Heriot-Watt University's performance in the global higher education landscape.

 

Heriot-Watt University - QS Ranking 2025

Heriot-Watt University has shown steady progress in the QS rankings, achieving 256th globally in 2025, up from 235th in 2024 and 281st in 2023. In Europe, the university improved to 121st place in the latest 2024 rankings. These advancements reflect Heriot-Watt University's ongoing efforts to enhance its international standing and academic reputation.

Ranked by

2023

2024

2025

Europe

-

121

-

World University

281

235

256

 

Heriot-Watt University - US News & World Report Ranking

In 2023, Heriot-Watt University was ranked 725th globally by US News & World Report, a decline from 663rd place in 2022 and 580th place in 2021.

Ranked by

2021

2022

2023

Global Universities

580

663

725

 

Heriot-Watt University - THE (Times Higher Education) Ranking

In the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking, Heriot-Watt University has significantly improved to 351st place in 2024, from a consistent ranking of 501st in both 2023 and 2022. This advancement underscores the university's progress in academic performance and reputation over recent years.

Ranked by

2022

2023

2024

University

501

501

351

 

Learn More About: Heriot-Watt University’s Admission

 

Heriot-Watt University - The Guardian Ranking 2024

In The Guardian ranking for 2024, Heriot-Watt University is positioned at 85th place, showing a decline from 45th in 2023 and 36th in 2022. This change reflects fluctuations in the university's performance and reputation over the past three years, indicating varying assessments across different ranking criteria.

Ranked by

2022

2023

2024

University

36

45

85

 

Heriot-Watt University - The Complete University Guide Ranking 2025

In 2025, Heriot-Watt University is ranked 42nd in the UK according to The Complete University Guide, marking an improvement from 44th place in 2024 and 34th place in 2023.

Ranked by

2023

2024

2025

UK University

34

44

42

 

Heriot-Watt University - QS Ranking 2024

Ranked by

2022

2023

2024

Accounting and Finance

251-300

251-300

-

Biological Sciences

501-550

451-500

-

Engineering and Technology

231

260

-

Mathematics

151-200

201-250

-

Mechanical Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering

201-250

201-250

-

Physics and Astronomy

301-350

301-350

-

 

Heriot Watt University - THE (Times Higher Education) Ranking

Ranked by

2021

2022

2023

Arts and Humanities

-

201-250

176-200

Engineering

201-250

251-300

251-300

Life Sciences

201-250

301-400

301-400

PG Business and Economics

251-300

301-400

251-300

PG Computer Science

301-400

251-300

301-400

 

Heriot Watt University - The Guardian Ranking 2024

Ranked by

2022

2023

2024

Accounting and Finance

16

33

59

Business and Management

56

85

104

Chemical Engineering

16

12

-

Civil Engineering

10

14

20

Economics

11

9

14

Electronic and Electrical Engineering

15

21

16

Mechanical Engineering

37

45

45

Physics

27

18

18

 

Heriot Watt University - The Complete University Guide Ranking 2024

Ranked by

2022

2023

2024

Accounting and Finance

13

23

23

Art and Design

15

62

69

Biological Sciences

42

55

49

Business and Management Studies UK

21

30

41

Chemical Engineering

8

12

16

Civil Engineering

4

18

22

Computer Science

18

27

33

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

7

28

39

Mechanical Engineering

15

27

30

Physics and Astronomy

11

29

32

Psychology

36

72

62

 

Course Rankings

B.A.

Ranked by

2020

2021

2022

The Complete University Guide - Art and Design

18

28

15

 

B.E. / B.Tech

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

The Guardian - Civil Engineering

30

10

12

The Guardian - Electronic and Electrical Engineering

39

36

16

The Guardian - Mechanical Engineering

8

8

9

The Complete University Guide - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

-

28

15

The Complete University Guide - Mechanical Engineering

-

15

8

The Complete University Guide - Chemical Engineering

-

16

14

The Complete University Guide - Civil Engineering

-

22

20

The Complete University Guide - Computer Science

-

34

32

The Guardian - Chemical Engineering

25

22

15

 

Learn More About: Heriot Watt University’s Courses

B.Sc.

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

The Complete University Guide - Biological Sciences

-

33

27

The Complete University Guide - Psychology

-

53

53

The Complete University Guide - Physics and Astronomy

-

22

25

The Guardian - Physics

43

41

32

 

BBA

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

The Guardian - Business and Management

46

24

29

The Guardian - Accounting and Finance

16

47

25

The Complete University Guide - Accounting and Finance

-

23

15

The Complete University Guide - Business and Management Studies UK

-

32

27

The Guardian - Economics

8

24

23

 

M.A.

Ranked by

2022

2023

THE (Times Higher Education) - Arts and Humanities

201-250

176-200

 

MIM

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

QS - Accounting and Finance

201-250

201-250

201-250

THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics

201-250

201-250

251-300

 

MS

Ranked by

2018

2019

2020

QS - Physics and Astronomy

-

251-300

251-300

QS - Mechanical Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering

-

151-200

151-200

QS - Mathematics

-

201-250

201-250

QS - Biological Sciences

-

-

501-550

QS - Engineering and Technology

-

243

237

ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Mathematics

101-150

101-150

101-150

ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Physics

401-500

401-500

-

THE (Times Higher Education) - Life Sciences

-

251-300

201-250

THE (Times Higher Education) - Engineering

-

251-300

251-300

THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Computer Science

-

301-400

301-400

 

Accounting & Commerce

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

QS - Accounting and Finance

201-250

201-250

201-250

The Guardian - Accounting and Finance

16

47

25

The Complete University Guide - Accounting and Finance

-

23

15

 

Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing )

Ranked by

2020

2021

2022

THE (Times Higher Education) - Arts and Humanities

-

-

201-250

The Complete University Guide - Art and Design

18

28

15

 

Business & Management Studies

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

The Guardian - Business and Management

46

24

29

The Complete University Guide - Business and Management Studies UK

-

32

27

The Guardian - Economics

8

24

23

THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics

201-250

201-250

251-300

 

Engineering

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

QS - Mechanical Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering

151-200

151-200

151-200

QS - Engineering and Technology

243

237

220

THE (Times Higher Education) - Engineering

251-300

251-300

201-250

THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Computer Science

301-400

301-400

301-400

The Guardian - Civil Engineering

30

10

12

The Guardian - Electronic and Electrical Engineering

39

36

16

The Guardian - Mechanical Engineering

8

8

9

The Complete University Guide - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

-

28

15

The Complete University Guide - Mechanical Engineering

-

15

8

The Complete University Guide - Chemical Engineering

-

16

14

The Complete University Guide - Civil Engineering

-

22

20

The Guardian - Chemical Engineering

25

22

15

 

Humanities & Social Sciences

Ranked by

2020

2021

2022

The Complete University Guide - Psychology

53

53

36

 

Science

Ranked by

2018

2019

2020

QS - Physics and Astronomy

-

251-300

251-300

QS - Mathematics

-

201-250

201-250

QS - Biological Sciences

-

-

501-550

ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Mathematics

101-150

101-150

101-150

ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Physics

401-500

401-500

-

The Complete University Guide - Biological Sciences

-

-

33

The Complete University Guide - Physics and Astronomy

-

-

22

The Guardian - Physics

-

43

41

THE (Times Higher Education) - Life Sciences

-

251-300

201-250

The Complete University Guide - Computer Science

-

-

34

 

Biology

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

QS - Biological Sciences

-

501-550

501-550

The Complete University Guide - Biological Sciences

-

33

27

THE (Times Higher Education) - Life Sciences

251-300

201-250

201-250

 

Business Economics

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

The Guardian - Economics

8

24

23

THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics

201-250

201-250

251-300

 

Chemical Engineering

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

The Complete University Guide - Chemical Engineering

-

16

14

The Guardian - Chemical Engineering

25

22

15

 

Civil Engineering

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

The Guardian - Civil Engineering

30

10

12

The Complete University Guide - Civil Engineering

-

22

20

 

Computer Science

Ranked by

2020

2021

2022

The Complete University Guide - Computer Science

34

32

18

 

Computer Science Engineering

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Computer Science

301-400

301-400

301-400

 

Electrical Engineering

Ranked by

2020

2021

2022

The Complete University Guide - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

28

15

7

 

Electronics Engineering

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

The Guardian - Electronic and Electrical Engineering

39

36

16

 

Mathematics

Ranked by

2018

2019

2020

QS - Mathematics

-

201-250

201-250

ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Mathematics

101-150

101-150

101-150

 

Mechanical Engineering

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

QS - Mechanical Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering

151-200

151-200

151-200

The Guardian - Mechanical Engineering

8

8

9

The Complete University Guide - Mechanical Engineering

-

15

8

 

Physics

Ranked by

2018

2019

2020

QS - Physics and Astronomy

-

251-300

251-300

ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Physics

401-500

401-500

-

The Complete University Guide - Physics and Astronomy

-

-

22

The Guardian - Physics

-

43

41

 

Accounting

Ranked by

2019

2020

2021

QS - Accounting and Finance

201-250

201-250

201-250

The Guardian - Accounting and Finance

16

47

25

The Complete University Guide - Accounting and Finance

-

23

15

 

Psychology

Ranked by

2020

2021

2022

The Complete University Guide - Psychology

53

53

36

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2025

#256

-

2024

#256

#832

2023

#281

#725

2022

#270

#725

2021

#270

#663