Admissions, Campus, Rankings, Courses, Scholarships, and Placements
Admissions, Campus, Rankings, Courses, Scholarships, and Placements

Heriot Watt University : Admissions, Campus, Rankings, Courses, Scholarships, and Placements

Edinburgh, Scotland,
Government
Estd: 1821
Genders: Coed

Heriot-Watt University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and internationally. It is well-regarded for its strong emphasis on industry-relevant education and research in fields like engineeringbusinessdesign, and science. The university’s commitment to academic excellence and its collaborations with industries contribute to its solid position in global rankings. Heriot-Watt is often recognized for its exceptional programs in engineering and business, alongside its pioneering research in sustainable technologies and renewable energy.

Heriot-Watt University Rankings

According to various ranking organizations, Heriot-Watt performs well across multiple metrics such as teaching quality, employability, research output, and international diversity. The university has steadily improved its rankings over recent years, particularly in subject areas that align with global market needs, such as engineering and technology. In the 2023 QS World University Rankings, Heriot-Watt ranked in the top 400 globally, while in specific subjects like Civil Engineering, it ranks within the top 150. Furthermore, Heriot-Watt has maintained its reputation for providing a strong return on investment for students, with impressive employability rates for graduates.

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Global and National Rankings 

Heriot-Watt University ranks consistently among the top universities both in the UK and globally, with notable performance in subject-specific rankings. As of 2023, the university ranks within the top 400 globally in the QS World University Rankings, positioning it as one of the top institutions for engineeringarchitecture, and business studies. Additionally, Heriot-Watt enjoys a strong reputation in engineering subjects like Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, where it ranks in the top 150 worldwide. Its business school is also recognized for its MBA and business management programs, regularly appearing in the top rankings within the UK.

Nationally, Heriot-Watt maintains a solid position in UK rankings, regularly featuring in the Top 50. The university is highly regarded for its academic rigor, student satisfaction, and employability rates. It is particularly well-ranked in subject areas related to science and engineeringsustainability, and renewable energy—all of which align with the growing demand for skilled professionals in these fields.

Furthermore, Heriot-Watt is known for its global perspective, with campuses in Dubai and Malaysia, reflecting the university’s international presence and global education standards. The integration of its global campuses into the broader educational offering enhances its overall reputation, attracting students from around the world to study in Scotland, Dubai, and Malaysia.

Ranking Organization

Rank (UK)

Rank (Global)

Key Subjects

QS World University Rankings

Top 50 (Engineering)

Top 400

Engineering, Architecture, Business

The Times Higher Education

Top 200 (Engineering)

Top 400

Engineering, Computer Science

Complete University Guide

Top 50

N/A

Engineering, Architecture, Design

Guardian University Guide

Top 40

N/A

Engineering, Technology, Business

Academic Ranking of World Universities

N/A

Top 500

Engineering, Business

Heriot-Watt University ranks highly both globally and nationally, with strong performances in engineeringbusiness, and architecture. The university’s international presence through its global campuses further strengthens its academic reputation and attracts a diverse student body.

  • QS World University Rankings: The QS World University Rankings are one of the most recognized global ranking systems, evaluating universities based on factors such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, and research citations. Heriot-Watt performs well in areas such as engineering and business, where it ranks among the top universities globally.

  • Times Higher Education (THE) World Rankings: The THE World Rankings assess universities on teachingresearchcitationsinternational diversity, and industry income. Heriot-Watt ranks well in engineering and business subjects, driven by its research output and industry connections.

  • Complete University Guide (UK): The Complete University Guide offers rankings for universities in the UK, based on metrics like student satisfaction, entry standards, and research quality. Heriot-Watt consistently ranks among the top 50 UK universities, especially in engineering and business.

  • Guardian University Guide (UK): The Guardian University Guide provides rankings based on student feedback, including satisfaction with teaching and employability. Heriot-Watt is highly ranked for engineering and technology programs.

  • Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU): The ARWU, also known as the Shanghai Rankings, assesses universities based on research output and quality. While Heriot-Watt doesn’t consistently rank in the top 100 globally, it remains competitive in specific fields like engineering and business.

Ranking Body

Ranking Criteria

Heriot-Watt Performance

QS World University Rankings

Academic reputation, employer reputation

Top 400 globally, Top 50 Engineering

Times Higher Education (THE)

Teaching, research, citations, international diversity

Top 200 Engineering, Top 400 overall

Complete University Guide

Research quality, student satisfaction

Top 50 UK overall, Top 20 Engineering

Guardian University Guide

Student satisfaction, employability

Top 40 UK Engineering, Top 50 Technology

ARWU (Shanghai Rankings)

Research output and quality

Top 500 globally for Engineering and Business

National Student Survey (NSS)

Teaching quality, student satisfaction

Top 10% UK

U-Multirank

Research, international collaboration

High in research and international rankings

The Financial Times Global MBA Rankings

Alumni success, career progression

Ranked highly for employability

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Comparison with Other Universities 

When comparing Heriot-Watt University to other universities , it stands out in several areas, particularly its industry collaborations and global campuses. Unlike many traditional universities, Heriot-Watt integrates practical experience into its engineering and business programs, offering students the opportunity to gain real-world experience through work placements. In comparison, other universities may have fewer international exposure opportunities or industry connections.

University

Global Ranking

Specialization

Strengths

Heriot-Watt University

Top 400 (QS)

Engineering, Business, Design

Global campuses, Industry partnerships, Employability

University of Warwick

Top 100 (QS)

Engineering, Business

Strong research focus, Top business school

University of Bath

Top 200 (QS)

Engineering, Architecture

Research-driven, Excellent engineering programs

University of Surrey

Top 300 (QS)

Engineering, Business

Industry partnerships, High student satisfaction

Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the global ranking of Heriot-Watt University?

Heriot-Watt University is ranked among the top 400 globally according to QS World University Rankings.

2.How does Heriot-Watt rank in engineering?

Heriot-Watt is ranked in the top 150 globally for engineering subjects like Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

3.Is Heriot-Watt University considered a top choice for business studies?

Yes, Heriot-Watt's business school is highly ranked, particularly for its MBA and business management programs.

4.Which subject areas is Heriot-Watt most renowned for?

Heriot-Watt is well-regarded for its engineering, architecture, and business programs, with strong research output.

5.How does Heriot-Watt compare to other UK universities?

Heriot-Watt is ranked in the Top 50 for engineering and business studies in the UK, placing it among the top institutions for these subjects.