The James Watt Building
Located just a minute from the main campus, the James Watt Building offers 48,000 sq. ft. of modern social and learning spaces, purpose-built to elevate your student experience. Opened in 2025 to celebrate Heriot-Watt’s 20th anniversary in Dubai, the building was shaped by student feedback and designed to meet the needs of our growing community.
The James Watt building has been designed with student learning and wellbeing at its heart, featuring a wide range of modern facilities and collaborative spaces. Along with classrooms and digital learning environments, students enjoy access to the student hub and learning commons spaces that foster both academic and social engagement.
To further enhance the student experience, the building offers specialised areas such as an active learning room and a wellness room, providing spaces that support both intellectual growth and overall wellbeing.
Designed to serve a little over 1500 students, the James Watt building is named after the father of the Industrial Revolution and the inspiration behind the University’s own name, reflecting its heritage of innovation, research, and impact.
7
learning spaces including a new learning commons and the innovative active learning classroom
5
social spaces including a revamped student hub and dedicated student lounge
48000 sqft
across 2 floors of student facilities with easy access to the main campus, cafes and supermarket
Explore the new James Watt Building
Message from our Provost
The new building is yet another milestone in our endeavour to remain at the forefront of holistic student experience, research and innovation. We remain steadfast in our mission to nurture the next generation of leaders.
Learning Commons
Inspired by our Edinburgh campus, the learning commons combines separated learning pods along with a multi-purpose deck and individual desks. Each desk faces windows giving students an aesthetic and bright working environment.
Student Hub
Expanding on the existing student hub in the main building, the revamped student hub features additional gaming systems with various lounge seating styles and collaboration facilities
Multi-purpose Auditorium
The James Watt building features a large 200 seat auditorium with high-fidelity audio-visual and broadcast systems perfect for presentations, events, lectures and live functions.
Services on-site
Careers service
The Careers Service aims to assist Heriot-Watt University students and graduates to make informed career choices by providing a professional, high quality careers guidance and information service for students and recent graduates of Heriot-Watt.
Student Council
The Student Council enriches the student experience through events, collaborations, activities and many more engagements
Information Services
Supporting research, learning, teaching and administrative activities by providing Library, Information and Learning Technology services to Heriot-Watt students and staff.
Spaces Spotlight
