Kyle's story

From Thurso, BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering student Kyle Leavesley chose Heriot-Watt to build on his family heritage and leave his legacy. This is his story.

What drew you to Mechanical Engineering?

I was always good at maths and really enjoyed physics, so engineering just felt like a natural fit. Mechanical Engineering stood out because it applies to every industry, from banking to renewables. It keeps your options open, but also felt like the direction I was genuinely interested in.

Both my parents are in the engineering industry, and pretty much everyone where I’m from is, because of the nuclear power station in Dounreay. So, I grew up around it. It just made sense

Why Heriot-Watt and not another university?

I’d looked at different universities in Scotland, but when I visited Heriot-Watt on a school trip, it really stood out. It felt personal — like the university was focused on what they could offer me, rather than just boasting about rankings or facilities. A lot of unis focus on selling rankings or shiny buildings. But Heriot-Watt felt different. It felt more student focused. It wasn’t just, ‘come here because we’re great.’ It was more like ‘this is what we can offer you’ — that felt more personal and genuine.

Coming from a small town, I also liked that Heriot-Watt had a strong reputation for engineering and excellent student support. I wanted a place where I could be challenged academically but also feel part of a community. Obviously, Heriot-Watt has a great reputation for engineering, especially around employability, but what made the difference for me was how it put students first.

What's it been like living and studying here?

Living in halls was such a unique experience. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by loads of people who all want to be social. I ended up making friends I’ll stay in touch with for life. A lot of my closest friends now are people I first met in my flat, and it’s amazing to see how that community just grows naturally.

Being on campus felt safe and peaceful, but you still had access to the capital. That mix was perfect.

How have you got involved in the University outside of class?

Being a class rep, I’ve seen how the University listens. You’ll join a module and get a list of improvements made from the year before. It’s not stuck in its ways. Lecturers are open to feedback. You feel heard.

I’m Vice President of the Lifting Club, and I was part of badminton too. I went to a taster session and just fell in love with the community. It’s a bunch of people encouraging each other to get better. Being in a club completely changes your uni experience. It makes it more than just going to class. You meet people from totally different courses, and it gives you something else to be passionate about.