About

Our history

Heriot-Watt has been revolutionising education for all since 1821. Building from the earlier named Edinburgh School of Arts, the world's first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt has been a pioneer in engineering and physical science since the start.

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences was officially created in August 2002. For the 2024-25 academic year, the School comprises 150 research-active academic staff and a similar number of Research Associates, and over 1800 students studying taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and postgraduate research projects.

Our expertise

The School specialises in Bioscience, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, offering a range of specialist degrees in these disciplines, as well as innovative degrees bringing together specialisations from different subjects such as photonics, robotics, and cybertronics. This diversity reflects the interdisciplinary nature of research and associated industries, taking full advantage of the interactions between science and engineering.

Built on a strong foundation of core strengths in each of these areas, we have the expertise to tackle a wide range of challenging and important problems ranging from the truly fundamental to the fully applied and to provide high-level, specialised training to satisfy the needs of modern industry.

Our courses are designed to meet the needs of our students and their future employers, offering the highest degree of flexibility and choice within the wide range of topics available. The School enjoys an international reputation for its research and its close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering and technology, reflecting the importance that the University attaches to the quality of its teaching, research and student support.