Industrial partners

Accreditation

Our degrees are created to meet the needs of industry, and the School is committed to delivering the highest standard of academic excellence for our students. Our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes meet rigourous quality benchmarks and are recognised worldwide for being the first step towards a career as a professional and qualified engineer or scientist, and as the foundation to gaining chartered status. Our programmes are accredited by a range of professional bodies relevant to the area of expertise. All newly developed programmes are currently in the process of securing accreditation.

The following professional institutions and learned societies accredit one or more of our programmes:

Industrial Advisory Boards

Our departments benefit from Industrial Advisory Boards (IAB) which act as the cornerstone to our industrial engagement. The boards are made up of engineers and scientists, many of whom are Heriot-Watt graduates, who link us to a wide range of industries and employers.

The IABs purpose is to enhance Heriot-Watt's connection and communication with industry. The board updates staff on the education and skills expected of graduates, helping to revise programmes and curriculums, proposing ideas for and judging final year design and research projects, and by providing students with direct insight into industry through internship and work opportunities and guest lectures.

Diploma in Industrial Training

Many of the School's undergraduate degrees offer students the opportunity to take a year out between stages four and five to gain work experience and make their mark in some of the world's biggest and best companies. The Diploma in Industrial Training (DIT) lets students put their knowledge and skills into practice and gain an additional qualification to differentiate themselves from other graduates.

On successful completion of a DIT placement, students are eligible to apply for professional registration as a technician with the relevant accrediting institute.

Our award-winning careers service help find placements to suit each student, and supports them throughout with regular check-ins.