Heriot-Watt celebrates rise in influential Times and Sunday Times rankings
Heriot-Watt University has risen in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 league table, published today (Sept 19).
The University is now ranked 39th out of 130 institutions across the UK, up from 51st last year. It was also named runner-up for the title of Scottish University of the Year.
The improvement is mirrored in many of the University’s academic disciplines, with six subjects placed in the UK’s top ten. Leading the way is Building, which has been ranked first in the UK.
We are committed to building on this momentum, continuing to deliver world-class teaching and research that makes a real difference.
Other highly placed subjects include Mathematics (5th), Mechanical Engineering (7th), Town & Country Planning and Landscape (7th), Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering (8th), and Chemical Engineering (10th).
The Good University Guide is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most influential university rankings. It assesses institutions across eight key measures including teaching quality, student satisfaction, graduate job prospects, and research excellence, providing a trusted benchmark for prospective students and their families when making choices about higher education.
This year’s strong performance follows a series of accolades for Heriot-Watt. Later this year, it will vie for the coveted title of University of the Year 2025 at the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards and is the only Scottish institution to be shortlisted. In addition, it rose 17 places to 25th in the latest Complete University Guide and moved up to 31st in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Welcoming today’s results, Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said: “We proudly celebrate Heriot-Watt’s rise of 12 places in the latest Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Coupled with being named runner-up for Scottish University of the Year, this recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, the talent of our students, and the strength of our global community.
“We are committed to building on this momentum, continuing to deliver world-class teaching and research that makes a real difference.”
A full breakdown of the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 is available on its website.