Heriot-Watt University (HWU) is noted for its strong graduate employment rates, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, where demand for graduates remains high. The university actively encourages students to gain practical experience through work placements or industry years as part of their coursework. HWU's Go Global program facilitates international study opportunities at its campuses in Dubai or Malaysia, with common curricula taught in English allowing for easy transitions.
The main campus is situated on 380 acres in Riccarton, southwest of Edinburgh. This campus hosts the Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies, which features an immersive suite designed to simulate various global hospital and care settings. The suite is equipped with actual medical equipment and a robotic simulator capable of displaying different medical symptoms.
A smaller campus in Galashiels, Scotland, is dedicated to fashion, textile, and design courses. This campus is undergoing a £2.5 million refurbishment, expected to be completed by September 2026. The Stromness campus in Orkney is home to the International Centre for Island Technology and postgraduate programs in marine science and renewable energy.
Heriot-Watt implements widening access policies, offering targeted financial support to students from under-represented backgrounds. The Widening Access bursary provides £1,000 annually to approximately 50 Scottish students from deprived postcodes, schools with low higher education progression rates, or those who are mature students, have been in care, or are young carers. An additional £525 Expenses Bursary is available to eligible students, particularly those from the most deprived areas, to cover costs like laptops and books.
Subject-specific scholarships for Scottish students range from £1,000 to £5,000 per year. For students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (RUK), the University Bursary can help offset the higher tuition fees associated with studying in Scotland for four years. This bursary offers up to £3,100 annually for students from households earning £25,000 or less, with smaller awards for higher income brackets. Additionally, RUK students starting in September 2026 will receive free accommodation for their first semester, a benefit replacing a previous travel bursary.
Undergraduate accommodation on the Riccarton campus ranges from £7,560 to £8,960 for a 40-week tenancy in en suite rooms. Minimum entry requirements are adjusted for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, with offers like BBBC at Higher or BCC at A-level made to those from the most deprived postcodes or from areas with low university progression rates. Care leavers and other specific groups, including estranged students and mature applicants, may also receive slightly lower entry offers.
The university emphasizes career support for all students, especially those admitted through widening access initiatives. The Aspiring Futures program includes a careers platform, a job vacancy database, career planning events, and one-to-one consultations. HWU also provides comprehensive mental health and wellbeing services, including daily drop-in counseling sessions, with support duration determined by individual student needs. Personal tutors receive specialized training in student support.