Heriot-Watt is a specialist, pioneering University, with a global presence, world-renowned, innovative research, and highly employable graduates. Our heritage dates back to 1821 since our community of scholars has been developing transformational solutions to specific global problems. We are specialists in engineering, business, and science, and leaders in innovative global education for a future world.
We have five campuses globally: Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, 53 Approved Learning Partners (ALPs), and collaborative educational partners in 150 countries. We have over 30,000 students studying with us at our campuses and online through distance learning (year-end 2016). One-third of our on-campus students studying in Scotland are from outside the UK, making Heriot-Watt one of the most internationally diversified UK universities. The Watt Club is the oldest graduate club in the UK. We have over 116,000 alumni worldwide in over 190 countries. We are the University of choice for business and industry , and our graduates are sought by the best organizations worldwide.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 ranked Heriot-Watt 22nd in the UK, with 82% of our research as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are 9th in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact. Over 80% of our academic staff are currently engaged in research at internationally recognized levels. We are in the top 2% of universities globally, based on approximately 10,000 universities globally (QS World's University Rankings 2017/18). The National Student Survey 2016 placed us 28th in the UK, and joint 3rd in Scotland, with 90% of students were satisfied overall with their course in over half of the University's subject areas. Top 30 in the UK and 4th in Scotland in the Guardian University League Table 2018. We are 39th in the world and 13th in the UK for our international outlook based on THE World University Rankings 2016/17. 95% of graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation.
The Strategic Plan 2013-18 is ambitious and far-reaching. It details our priorities and is central to our commitment to continue to be a high performing, rapidly growing, financially sustainable University.
The single, most important aspect of the strategy is the recognition and emphasis that to achieve the overall vision will require all academic staff to perform at internationally competitive levels of creativity in research, scholarship, and teaching as synergistic activities.
Research at Heriot-Watt spans the fundamental to the applied through an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge creation and enterprise. We aim to:
- Promote new interdisciplinary fields of research, emphasizing economic and societal benefit in order to generate high impact outputs and attract significant research funding to increase a critical mass
- Develop further strategic collaborations through national and international academic and industrial research alliances
- Please take advantage of our international campuses and worldwide learning partnerships to extend research opportunities
- Facilitate research management through research-led institutes and interdisciplinary research centers, providing focus and identity to enhance research opportunities, performance, and funding
- Support innovation and entrepreneurship in the creation of new enterprise and
- Increase the number of research students commensurate with an expanded research landscape.
We are known worldwide for providing highly employable graduates who have a distinctive, strong professional orientation. We aim to strengthen our graduates' attributes and skills further through:
- Enhanced approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment
- Further development of facilities and support for the student learning and living experience and
- A continually updated, relevant, broad curriculum.
Heriot-Watt University is overseen and governed by several key personnel, Boards, and Committees.
The University is established by the Royal Charter that is approved by Her Majesty, the Queen. The Royal Charter has several stipulations, including establishing the Court, the Senate, and the senior officers of the University: Principal, Vice-Principal, and Secretary.
The other governing document is the Statutes, which prescribes in greater detail the governance requirements.
In summary, there are three principal elements to the governance of the University: the Court, the Principal & Vice-Chancellor, and the Senate.
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