Founded two hundred years ago as the world’s first mechanics institute, Heriot-Watt has a reputation for excellence and innovation within the field of engineering education. It is in the process of establishing a National Robotarium on its Riccarton campus, working in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh. One of its first research projects will bring together academics from a range of other top UK universities to research trust in autonomous systems, pooling expertise in robotics, cognitive science and psychology. It is claimed that the robotarium will be the largest and most advanced facility of its type in the UK and it will be a centre of excellence for research into robotics and AI.
Key Facts
- #51 in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
- #42 in the Complete University Guide 2025
- #66 in the Guardian Good University Guide 2025
- #1 for Building, #4 for Town and Country Planning and Landscape, #6 for Mathematics, #7 for Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, #8 for Chemical Engineering (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
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- Heriot-Watt has five campuses across the world: Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia. One third of its on-campus students studying in Scotland are from outside the UK, making Heriot-Watt one of the most internationally diversified of any UK university.
- Heriot-Watt is top in Scotland for its world-leading Physics research in the REF 2021 results. Physics also came top in the UK for its world-leading research outputs and saw 97% of its research classed as world-leading and internationally excellent.Overall, 86.8% of the university's research and 88.6% of its research outputs are classed as 'world-leading' and 'internationally excellent'.
- 95% of graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation.
