Heriot-Watt University jumps in influential UK rankings
Heriot-Watt University has achieved its highest-ever rise in the annual Complete University Guide rankings, climbing an impressive 17 places to secure 25th position in the UK.
This significant leap places Heriot-Watt ahead of several prestigious Russell Group institutions. It marks the University's second-best performance in the influential rankings, just two places behind its 2021 high of 23rd.
This latest rise reflects continuing excellent student experience across the whole University supported by the dedication of our staff and the strength of our purposeful global community.
Adding to the positive news, the University was ranked 3rd best in Scotland, an improvement of three places, and, for the 12th year running, its academic Building programme was ranked first in Scotland while its Town & Country Planning subject came second.
The strong performance follows recent recognition of Heriot-Watt’s influence in leadership development. A report by financial services firm Novuna Business Cash Flow found that Heriot-Watt produces more Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors than any other university in Scotland. That study analysed over 10 million LinkedIn profiles from graduates of more than 120 UK universities.
Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, welcomed the news: "This latest rise reflects continuing excellent student experience across the whole University supported by the dedication of our staff and the strength of our purposeful global community. We are proud to offer a distinctive education that delivers real-world impact and opens doors to leadership opportunities around the world.
“It’s a result that reinforces our belief that despite the financial challenges currently impacting much of the higher education sector, Heriot-Watt is moving forward and students who choose to study with us know they are coming to a university that will equip them with the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in their chosen careers.”
The Complete University Guide is an independent ranking that assesses 130 institutions across the UK. It evaluates universities using ten metrics, including student satisfaction, research quality, graduate prospects, and student-staff ratio.
Topping this year’s overall rankings is the University of Cambridge.
Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said: “Our methodology draws on a range of trusted, independent measures that reflect the factors students care most about, including teaching quality, student satisfaction and graduate outcomes. The close competition within the top 20 highlights the consistently high standards across UK higher education.
“This year, we’ve seen considerable movement in the subject tables, underlining their importance as a resource for students who know what they want to study, but are still weighing up where to apply. Whether making early choices or preparing for Clearing, our university and subject league tables, along with regional insights, are here to help students navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives.”
A full breakdown of this year’s Complete University Guide can be found on its website.