Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University has educated students since 1821 and is a leading institution for both teaching and research. With an internationally recognised research record and a culture of collaboration between postgraduates and staff, we're a great place for you to continue your education.

Each year we welcome a cosmopolitan mix of students from the UK, Europe and further afield onto our postgraduate courses, both on-campus and through our external programmes. Our main Edinburgh campus, set in beautiful parkland at the west of one of Europe's most vibrant capital cities, is complemented by our specialist facilities in the Scottish Borders and Orkney Islands. We also have a satellite campus in Dubai, which gives us a truly international reach.

What you can study

Heriot-Watt offers several taught and research programmes for postgraduate study, many of which are available through both distance and flexible learning. Courses are offered in eight separate schools, each of which excels in its field:

The School of the Built Environment

The School of the Built Environment has a recognised commitment to quality research demonstrated by its high score in the UK Government's 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Postgraduate students in the School can enjoy access to a wide range of specialist facilities and laboratories thanks to the University's investment in engineering.

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences spans computer, electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering, as well as the disciplines which underpin them. With a diverse range of interests among its research staff, the School is able to apply new thinking to the needs of modern industry.

The School of Life Sciences

The School of Life Sciences builds on a century of research at Heriot-Watt to investigate biological disciplines from biochemistry to psychology. With over 50 academic staff covering a wide range of interests, the School offers a broad range of research possibilities.

The School of Management and Languages

The School of Management and Languages offers postgraduate courses in accountancy and finance, business management, economics and languages. It has close links to relevant professional bodies and industry, which play a part in the excellent employment prospects of its graduates.

The School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences

The School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences has an excellent reputation, with the quality of both its teaching and research held in high regard. With courses available in actuarial, statistical, mathematical and computational fields, the School caters for a variety of future career paths.

The School of Textiles and Design

The School of Textiles and Design offers taught and research courses across several aspects of textiles and is located at Heriot-Watt's Scottish Borders Campus. Students will find some of the best teaching and research facilities in Europe on campus, as well as some of the most advanced machinery available for textile production.

The Institute of Petroleum Engineering

The Institute of Petroleum Engineering is internationally recognised for its quality. Its research was awarded the highest possible grade in 2008's RAE, while its teaching was rated exemplary by the Quality Assurance Association for Higher Education. Its reputation has allowed it to attract a high quality team of academics and researchers, who display a diverse range of knowledge about the oil and gas sector.

Edinburgh Business School

Edinburgh Business School offers business education both in Edinburgh and around the world, with all distance learning available for all courses. Giving its students the option to take exams whenever they want and to learn in a variety of languages, the School stresses flexibility while maintaining the standards expected of those who look to succeed in international business.

A place to study

Heriot Watt's Postgraduate Centre is a place for postgraduates from all disciplines to meet, learn and study, encouraging links between departments to grow. Featuring rooms and spaces for tutorials, group study and socialising, the centre also has video conferencing facilities and wireless internet.

Living in Edinburgh

Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh campus has a range of furnished self-catered accommodation options including rooms, en-suite rooms and flats. Rent for private accommodation is around £275-£330 a month excluding bills.

The Scottish Borders campus has its own self-catered accommodation in a purpose-built £12m student village. The University also owns a number of flats nearby the campus, many of which are rented to postgraduates.

Accommodation on both campuses is guaranteed to new full-time postgraduate students who apply for it before 5.00pm, 22 August 2012.

Life in the city

Edinburgh is one of the world's great cities, and postgraduates are well placed to experience it. With students making up one-fifth of the city's population, there are several places to meet like-minded people. There is also lots to see and do in the city, which boasts museums, galleries, over a hundred public parks and a beautiful centre designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Postgraduate scholarships

Each year Heriot-Watt distributes fee and stipend scholarships worth around £6m to more than 400 students. A wide range of scholarships are available for postgraduate study.

Postgraduate courses

Prospective students can find out about individual postgraduate courses or order a prospectus online.

More information

Contact us for more information about our postgraduate courses.