Engineering and Physical Sciences

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) has an excellent international research reputation and close ties with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering and technology.​

​Whatever the level of study, our graduates are equipped to take up the challenges facing engineers in the UAE, in the wider region and worldwide. ​

​The demand for engineers has never been greater and our graduates work in many sectors including microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, mining, aviation, petrochemicals, transport, sustainability, energy and many more. ​

​Our postgraduate courses are delivered in the evenings and at weekends so that our postgraduate students can study while remaining in full-time employment. The school actively engages in research and students are offered opportunities to study at the PhD level in numerous areas.​

As the 1st Institute of Mechanics, Heriot-Watt University is proud of its heritage extending to almost 200 years. We remain true to our origins, educating engineers to address challenges and to innovate in support of industry, the economy and society.  At the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, we inspire our students and equip them with strong basic knowledge and hands-on experience. Our students benefit from the wealth of industry experience and research expertise of our academic team. We value experiential learning and provide state-of-the-art facilities for students to engage with real-life engineering challenges, prepare them for a rewarding career in engineering and enable them to succeed as future leaders in various engineering discipline.

Dr Fadi Ghaith​, Head of School

Accreditations and Professional Bodies

Institution of Engineering and Technology - IET Accreditation

Our BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering and BEng (Hons) Robotics, Autonomous, and Interactive Systems programmes are IET-accredited. The IET accreditation is one of the world’s leading professional societies for engineers and technicians and is recognised globally as an indicator of quality. This accreditation helps improve graduate employability, ensuring that our students have developed the appropriate skills and knowledge for an engineering career and professional registration.

Programmes:

  • Beng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Beng (Hons) Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems

Energy Institute - EI Accreditation

Our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering programme is accredited by the Energy Institute (EI).  Accreditation gives assurance to our students that the programme is competent, meets the needs of employers, delivers the right skills, and provides a pathway to professional registration.

Programme:

  • BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering

Institution of Chemical Engineers - IChemE Accreditation

Our BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering programme is IChemE accredited to satisfy the academic requirements for registration as an Incorporated Chemical Engineer (IEng) and partially meeting the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Chemical Engineer.

By achieving the IChemE accreditation, Heriot-Watt University has demonstrated that their programmes are academically sound and industrially relevant.

Programme:

  • BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering

Institution of Mechanical Engineers - IMechE Accreditation

Our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering, and BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering programmes are IMechE-accredited. Studying an IMechE-accredited programme provides the best start to gaining professional registration and confirms Heriot-Watt University's reputation as a quality education provider.
IMechE accreditation means that students meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC. Secondly, they will automatically meet, in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

Programme:

  • BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering

Institution of Engineering and Technology - IET Accreditation

Our MSc Robotics (Full Time) is IET-accredited. The IET accreditation is one of the world’s leading professional societies for engineers and technicians and is recognised globally as an indicator of quality. This accreditation helps improve graduate employability, ensuring that our students have developed the appropriate skills and knowledge for an engineering career and professional registration.

Programme:

  • MSc Robotics (Full Time)

Energy Institute - EI Accreditation

Our MSc Energy and MSc Renewable Energy Engineering programmes are accredited by the Energy Institute (EI).  Accreditation gives assurance to our students that the programme is competent, meets the needs of employers, delivers the right skills and provides a pathway to professional registration.

Programmes:

  • MSc Energy (Full Time & Part Time)
  • MSc Renewable Energy Engineering (Full Time & Part Time)
Complete University Guide 2022

According to the Complete University Guide 2022, we are ranked 7th in the UK for Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021

Ranked in the top 250 universities worldwide (201-250) for Engineering and Technology. Ranked in the top 25 UK universities for Engineering and Technology.

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021
  • First in Scotland for Chemical Engineering, and 4th in the UK. 
  • First in Scotland for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and 4th in the UK.
  • First in Scotland for General Engineering, and 5th in the UK.
  • Second in Scotland for Mechanical Engineering, and 10th in the UK.