Empower through Education

Heriot-Watt has transformed the world through education for more than 200 years, becoming a convenor of great minds and a catalyst for positive change. We have increased access to higher education for students across the globe through new pathways and impactful educational interventions – 30% of our students come from situations of educational disadvantage or have benefited from a Heriot-Watt initiative.

Shaping Futures will amplify support for our students, making education more inclusive, accessible and impactful than ever before. We aim to level the playing field so that everyone, regardless of their background, can reap the benefits of higher education and become the next generation of global talent, inspired to change the world.

This priority is ambitious and long-term – it will support existing projects and complementary concepts.

Our goal in this season is to raise over £3 million for scholarships, student enrichment initiatives, and a new outdoor community performance facility.

Learn more below about how we will shape a better future by empowering through education.

Global Changemakers Collaborative Impact Programme

This initiative will link students and staff from across our global campuses to work together to deliver meaningful change projects that are focused on specific global challenges. Students will develop skills in collaboration and apply their learning to make real-world impact.

The programme will strengthen connections across our global learning community, enhance student employability and fulfil our commitment to harness knowledge in solving some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Together, we will empower purpose-driven leaders of tomorrow.

Transformative Pathways

We will continue to offer pathways to help remove barriers to education and provide learning opportunities to those who otherwise would not be able to study. Some of these include:

Scholarships for Asian street trader families

MBA provision within refugee camps

Community outreach for women in STEM

Renewable Energy Masters for women in rural African communities

Fuelled by our legacy, we will continue to level the playing field for all, no matter where they are or what challenges they face.

Together, we will promote lifelong learning.

Student Support and Financial Assistance Programmes

We will enhance support to disadvantaged and under-represented groups, ensuring they are guided through their academic journeys. In addition to offering scholarships and vital financial assistance programmes, we will provide:

Mentorship opportunities with alumni

A fund for students to undertake industry placements

Go Global Programme, providing students with international experience opportunities without having to leave an essential part-time job or worry about caring responsibilities

The Amphitheatre, a student and community space for outdoor study, performing arts and social gatherings (Edinburgh Campus). Learn more about The Amphitheatre here.

Together, we will unlock potential.

Enhanced Schools Outreach Programme

We will engage with children from disadvantaged backgrounds to unlock their aspirations and potential to pursue higher education.

The programme will improve the uptake of Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in schools by delivering targeted workshops alongside employers to demonstrate the link between academic subjects and real-world employment.

The programme will educate teachers, parents and influencers and offer revision sessions and loanable resource kits to schools to support their teaching and inspire interest in STEM.

Together, we will assure access.

Maths and English Gyms

Our Maths and English Gym programmes help current students across all our campuses develop the mathematical, statistical and academic language skills needed to boost their confidence and prepare them for employment after graduation.

We will extend this support to children from low-progression schools in the UK to help provide them with the foundational skills required to succeed in higher education. Similar programmes will be developed in Dubai and Malaysia.

MSc and PhD Scholarships

We will offer over 100 postgraduate scholarships to provide valuable engagement opportunities between students and industry and research contacts. These scholarships will enable talented students to drive research capacity and build greater enterprise with our Global Research Institutes: The National Robotarium, the Lyell Centre, the Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies and iNetZ+, our Global Research Institute for Net Zero and Beyond. We will launch an employer mentoring scheme to provide students with valuable insights within their planned professional fields.

Although students will leave Heriot-Watt with a rich and fulfilled student experience, their journey isn’t over. It’s only just beginning…