Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University (Scottish Gaelic: Oilthigh Heriot-Watt) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was started in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, which was the world's first mechanics' institute. It became a university in 1966. Heriot-Watt is named after James Watt, a famous Scottish inventor, and George Heriot, a kind and generous person who helped others.

The university is known for teaching science and engineering. It is one of the universities that got its status in the 1960s. Heriot-Watt has three campuses in Scotland and also has campuses in the UAE and Malaysia. The university brings in a lot of money each year from students and research projects, showing how important its work is.

History

Heriot-Watt University started as the School of Arts of Edinburgh on October 16, 1821, founded by Leonard Horner. It aimed to give working men in Edinburgh practical knowledge of science and technology. At first, it was small, holding lectures two nights a week and had a library of about 500 books.

The school was supported by wealthy sponsors and became linked with the famous engineer James Watt in 1824 to help raise funds. In 1852, it was renamed the Watt Institution and School of Arts after buying a new building. In 1869, it became one of the first institutions in Scotland to allow women to attend lectures.

In 1885, it became Heriot-Watt College and grew larger. By 1966, it was awarded university status and became Heriot-Watt University. The university expanded over time, moving to a new campus and opening additional locations in different countries.

Campuses

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses and also offers distance learning programs to students worldwide.

Edinburgh

The main campus is in Riccarton, Edinburgh, covering 380 acres of parkland. It includes academic buildings, student housing, a postgraduate center, shops, libraries, childcare, healthcare, sports facilities, and a museum. It also has a conference center and a research park that opened in 1971.

Scottish Borders

The campus in Galashiels is home to the School of Textiles and Design. It began in 1883 and became part of Heriot-Watt in 1998. The school offers special courses in fashion and design and shares facilities with another local college.

Dubai

See also: Heriot-Watt University Dubai

The Dubai campus opened in 2005 and was the first British university in Dubai. It offers many courses and allows student exchanges between Britain and the Gulf Emirates. A larger campus opened in 2011, and in 2021, it moved to Dubai Knowledge Park. The new campus was officially opened by King Charles III in 2023.

Malaysia

The campus in Putrajaya opened in 2014. It was built as the first “green campus” in the country and offers undergraduate and master's degrees.

Orkney

The campus in Stromness, Orkney, focuses on island technology and provides education for postgraduate students and researchers.

Organisation

Heriot-Watt University is organised into six schools and one institute that help with teaching and research. These include schools focused on energy and engineering, social sciences and business, mathematics and computer science, textiles and design, as well as a special college for students starting their university journey. There is also a research institute that works with another university on studying cities.

The university made some changes in 2016, merging one of its schools into others to better share its programs.

Academic profile

Heriot-Watt University is well known for helping its students succeed. Many graduates find good jobs or continue their studies after finishing. The university has been honored as the International University of the Year and has often been named the best university in Scotland for its students' experiences.

Students from around the world study at Heriot-Watt. Most students are from Scotland, but many also come from places like Dubai and Malaysia. The university offers special programs, such as a Masters in Strategic Project Management, which students can study at partner universities in Italy and Sweden.

Student life

The Student Union at Heriot-Watt is run by students who are elected by their peers. It has been helping students since 1966 and is part of groups that support students in Edinburgh and across the United Kingdom. The Student Union organizes fun events and supports many different student groups, including one that holds a charity beer festival each year. It also provides services like food, a nightclub, advice, and a shop for students.

The Sports Union takes care of the university's 35 sports clubs and holds social events for students who enjoy sports. Like the Student Union, it is led by students who are elected by their classmates.

Controversies

Raytheon

In July 2025, reports suggested that Heriot-Watt University worked with a company that makes weapons. Before a job fair in February 2025, the company asked the university for extra safety measures, and the university agreed. The university later shared its thoughts on what happened.

Notable alumni

See also: Category:Alumni of Heriot-Watt University

Arts

• Theodore S. Clerk, city planner, first Ghanaian architect and developer of the port city of Tema
• Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith, conservation architect
• Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, architect of the Eden Project
• Sir William Kininmonth, architect of Adam House and Pollock Halls in Edinburgh
• Lynn Kinnear, landscape architect
• Kygo, Norwegian DJ and record producer (did not graduate)
• Sir Robert Matthew, designed the Royal Commonwealth Pool
• John McAslan, architect
• Taqi Nazeer, Scottish born actor
• John Notman, architect and landscape architect
• Patrick Nuttgens, academic and writer on architecture
• Nivetha Pethuraj, Indian actress
• Dame Muriel Spark, British writer
• Sir Basil Spence, architect of Coventry Cathedral and the New Zealand Parliament Building in Wellington, New Zealand
• Douglas Stuart, British writer, fashion designer, winner of 2020 Booker Prize
• John Thomson, pioneering photographer
• Deepak Tripathi, historian and former journalist
• Irvine Welsh, British writer of the novel Trainspotting
• Greg Wise, British actor and producer
• Joanne Yeoh, Malaysian violinist and music lecturer
• Gary Younge, writer and journalist
• Casa Yuen, South Africa-born Hong Kong actress

Academia and science

• Le Hai An, Deputy Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam
• Iain Baikie, physicist
• Christina Miller, chemist
• David A. B. Miller, applied physicist
• James Nasmyth, inventor of the steam hammer^: 93 
• Evelyn Roxburgh, electrical engineer
• Sarah Tabrizi, neurologist
• Chris Whitty, physician; Chief Medical Advisor to the UK Government

Business

• Robert Buchan, British/Canadian businessman, founder of Kinross Gold Corporation
• Adam Crozier, British businessman, Chief Executive of ITV
• Roger Jenkins, British financier
• Bob Keiller, British businessman, Chief Executive of Wood Group
• Michael Lombardi, Canadian businessman, founder of Lombardi Media Corporation
• Ian Ritchie, British businessman, founder of OWL
• Maurice Tulloch, British/Canadian businessman, CEO of Aviva
• Per Valebrokk, Norwegian editor and business man

Politics

• Nathif Jama Adam, Somali banker and politician
• Sarah Boyack, former MSP and Minister for Transport of Scotland
• Liam Burns, NUS UK president 2011–2013
• Ingvald Godal, former member of the Norwegian Parliament
• Bernie Grant, British Labour Party politician, the Member of Parliament for Tottenham from 1987 to 2000
• Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs in the Scottish Government
• Hassan Ali Khaire, Somali politician, Prime Minister of Somalia
• Archy Kirkwood, Baron Kirkwood of Kirkhope, former Liberal Democrat MP
• Mark MacGregor, Conservative Party politician
• Gillian Mackay, Green Party MSP for Central Scotland
• Graham Watson, former MEP; Leader of the European Parliament's Liberal Group 2002–2009
• Lord Mike Watson, Baron Watson of Invergowrie, former MP and MSP
• Henry McLeish, former First Minister of Scotland
• Brian Monteith, former Conservative MSP
• Henning Skumsvoll, member of the Norwegian Parliament
• Teo Ho Pin, former member of the Singapore Parliament
• Ravi Philemon, co-founder of Singapore's opposition political party Red Dot United
• Fiona Watson, political affairs officer

Sports

• Jock Clear, Formula One engineer
• Luke Crosbie, Scotland national rugby union team player
• Joe Hendry, Scottish professional wrestler
• Lee Jones, Scotland national rugby union team player
• Shirley Robertson, TV presenter and double Olympic gold medallist
• Jack Ross, British professional footballer
• Gordon Shedden, British auto racing driver
• Kirsty Smith, Scottish soccer player for the Scotland women's national football team and West Ham United F.C. Women

Notable staff

Heriot-Watt University has had many important people work there. Sir Thomas Hudson Beare was a chair of mechanics and engineering from 1887 to 1889. George Murray Burnett served as principal from 1974 to 1980. Andrew John Herbertson was a lecturer in geography from 1896 to 1899. Sir Geoff Palmer was a grain scientist and human rights advocate from 1977 to 2025.

Principals

Many leaders have guided Heriot-Watt University over the years. Sir Francis Grant Ogilvie was principal from 1886 to 1900. Arthur Pillans Laurie led from 1900 to 1928. James Cameron Smail was principal from 1928 to 1950. Hugh Bryan Nisbet served from 1950 to 1967. Robert Allan Smith was principal from 1968 to 1974. George Murray Burnett led again from 1974 to 1980. Thomas Lothian Johnston was principal from 1981 to 1988. Sir Alistair George James MacFarlane served from 1989 to 1996. John Stuart Archer was principal from 1997 to 2006. Sir Vito Antonio Muscatelli led from 2007 to 2009. Steven Kenneth Chapman was principal from 2009 to 2015. Richard Andrew Williams has been principal from 2015 to the present.