Research & Business

Heriot-Watt University is one of the UK's leading research institutions having been rated at the highest level by our national review body, the RAE. The University aims to deliver research of international standing, providing innovative and problem-solving capacity for business, industry and society, and exploiting novel multi-disciplinary approaches. Partnership and pooling are key to development in research at Heriot-Watt and the University is constantly working to build new multi-university partnerships.

Heriot-Watt's research strengths form the foundation of Focus on the Future, strengths demonstrated in the results of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), announced at the end of 2008. The University moved up nine places in The Times Higher Education ranking and more than doubled the proportion of Heriot-Watt research results which are rated as being internationally excellent, from 24% to 50%.

Partnerships and pooling have been crucial to developments in research at Heriot-Watt and a range of new multi-disciplinary partnerships will help to bring critical mass to engineering and mathematics, physics and chemistry, with Heriot-Watt taking key roles. Our partnership activitiy includes: The Edinburgh Research Partnership (ERP), The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA), and ScotCHEM.

Technology Research Services (TRS) can offer businesses from both the public and private sectors a wide range of facilities and services, ranging from consultancy to cutting edge technical facilities all set within relaxed, rural surroundings.

Research & Enterprise Services (RES) is the knowledge transfer, research development and commercialisation department for Heriot-Watt University. RES develops collaborative links between industry and academia, through collaborative research, technology licensing, the delivery of training and consultancy services. It provides research support and commercialisation services to Heriot-Watt University staff and students.

Research degrees are either at Masters level (MPhil) or at Doctorate level (PhD, EngD or DBA). All research degrees involve independent study under the direction of a supervisor. Students are expected to attend short courses of study in order to acquire study and other transferable skills. Requirements vary between Schools and applicants are advised to obtain further details from the relevant School or Institute. Although taught courses are associated with specific Schools, research may be undertaken collaboratively and Heriot-Watt welcomes interdisciplinary research. Use our A-Z list to find research areas of interest to you.

Heriot-Watt University is recognised internationally as a centre for high calibre research in science, engineering and business. Major research initiatives are concentrated in niche areas including nano-science and technology, microsystems, biomimetics, virtual reality and engineering design, proteomics and nutrition, photonics and new optics-based technologies, business logistics, technical textiles and advanced robotics. Use this tool to search for specific experts or for an overview of the range of research undertaken by the University.

Heriot-Watt Research Park was created by the University to enable companies to establish their own research and development groups within the Edinburgh Campus. The objective is to provide the best possible location for established and new companies to undertake the development of new products, processes and services, through immediate access to all of the University's staff and facilities. The emphasis at the Park is on research, development, design, engineering, training, and prototyping activities leading to manufacture.