About the University

Heriot-Watt University is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the UK. It originated as the School of Arts of Edinburgh in 1821 and, in 1966, became a University by Royal Charter. More than a quarter of our 7000 on-campus students in Scotland are from outside the UK and this international focus is also demonstrated by the 10,000 students worldwide studying on our international programmes. 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.

Focus on the Future is an ambitious and decisive strategy to set our direction to 2015 and to place Heriot-Watt University at the forefront of research and research-led education in the UK and internationally. Its intention is to set the agenda to reshape the University and, in so doing, to grow our academic base by 50% in ten years. Details of the Topical, Learning and Teaching, and Professional Services Theme Groups and leaders are covered here as well as news and progress reports.

Contact a staff member or student using our detailed People Finder tool. A searchable index of our experts for research or consultancy purposes is available for journalists, businesses or research groups seeking advice. In addition, senior management and administrative contacts are indicated with their roles and committee affiliations indicated.

Heriot-Watt has three main campuses: the Edinburgh Campus, the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels, and most recently, the Dubai Campus in Dubai Academic City. In addition our Orkney Campus in Stromness is home to The International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) which is part of Heriot-Watt University's prestigious Institute of Petroleum Engineering.

Current job vacancies at Heriot-Watt University are listed here. The University is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes interest from a diverse range of applicants. In addition, students searching for part-time employment or graduate positions can avail of the services of our Careers Advisory Service. The service provides impartial and confidential careers advice and guidance to students and graduates enabling you to identify career goals and develop the skills required to find employment.

Heriot-Watt University produces a wide range of publications for University staff, prospective students and various other University stakeholders. The publications include undergraduate and postgraduate prospectuses, staff newsletter, the University magazine and the Annual Review and Accounts.

The University's term/session dates for the next academic year have been published. Heriot-Watt introduced a new academic structure in 2008/9. We have changed our academic year from three terms to two semesters, running for 30 weeks from mid-September to the end of May.

The good standing of Heriot-Watt University is the result of sustained success in research and teaching over many years. High standards and quality are key features of this success and the University is committed to maintaining its standards and continually enhancing its quality in all areas. Quality assurance aims to provide our stakeholders - Government, students, employers, professional institutions and many others - with evidence that high standards are attained in all areas and that agreed processes in the University are operated correctly and professionally.

Heriot-Watt's £7m Postgraduate Centre, designed to provide a state of the art facility for postgraduates across the University is now complete. With a 1,500 strong community of postgraduate students from 100 countries at Heriot-Watt, opportunities exist for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural interaction. The Centre brings together postgraduates from all areas, encouraging a multi disciplinary approach key to the University's Focus on the Future strategy. The new Postgraduate Centre provides high tech video conferencing facilities to allow postgraduate students to take part in multi-site lectures, tutorials and research meetings, as well as enhancing communication between the Heriot-Watt campuses.

The Heriot-Watt Annual Review is a summary of the University's performance over the past year with a statistical summary of student figures and financial performance. Introduced by the Principal, the Review outlines developments and performance in learning and teaching, research and knowledge transfer, international development and partnerships, people and University community highlights.