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Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is a university in Edinburgh, Scotland, in a campus setting. How it compares on official data.
58th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 45.3 out of 100. How we rank.
How it compares
| Measure | Heriot-Watt University | Average in the overall table | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student experience | 81.6% | 85.1% | Average positive answers across seven National Student Survey 2026 themes, from 753 final-year students. |
| Continuation | 83.5% | 83.0% | Full-time degree students still studying or qualified a year after starting (Discover Uni). |
| Graduate prospects | 75.3% | 63.7% | Graduates in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing (Discover Uni). |
| Earnings | £38,100 | UK average for the same subjects | Median earnings five years after graduating, tax year 2023-24 (LEO): in line with the UK average for the same mix of subjects. |
Sources: National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students (Open Government Licence v3.0), first degree, full-time, by teaching provider; LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education (Open Government Licence v3.0), median earnings five years after graduating; Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA (CC BY 4.0), continuation and graduate prospects. All sources and licences.
What students say: National Student Survey 2026
The share of final-year students giving positive answers on each theme, next to the average for providers in the overall table.
| Theme | Heriot-Watt University | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching on my course | 82.5% | 87.5% |
| Learning opportunities | 82.2% | 85.3% |
| Assessment and feedback | 76.4% | 82.7% |
| Academic support | 87.8% | 89.1% |
| Organisation and management | 75.6% | 79.5% |
| Learning resources | 88.0% | 88.5% |
| Student voice | 78.9% | 79.8% |
Subject tables
Heriot-Watt University appears in 5 of our 35 subject tables. Subjects need at least 50 survey responses.
| Subject | Position | Student experience | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business and management | 27th of 122 | 85.4% | £40,30012% above the UK average for this subject |
| Engineering | 26th of 63 | 80.7% | £42,8003% below the UK average for this subject |
| Computing | 59th of 108 | 77.9% | £45,80010% above the UK average for this subject |
| Psychology | 96th of 100 | 77.5% | £28,2006% below the UK average for this subject |
| Creative arts and design | 79th of 79 | 74.3% | £28,2004% above the UK average for this subject |
Also has official data for, but not enough to rank in: Architecture, building and planning, Biosciences, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, earth and environmental studies, Languages and area studies, Mathematical sciences, Physics and astronomy, Sport and exercise sciences.
UCAS points of past entrants
The UCAS Tariff points of recent entrants to full-time degree courses who had Tariff qualifications, from Discover Uni. These are past entrants, not offers: check each course page for entry requirements.
The middle entrant (the median) was in the 176 to 191 band, and the most common band was 176 to 191 points. Work out your UCAS points.
Courses and key facts
Discover Uni lists 94 full-time degree courses; 39 of them with a placement year, as an option or built in; 56 with a year abroad, as an option or built in.
Heriot-Watt University website · Accommodation · Students' union
Course counts, TEF and links: {oa("du")}, CC BY 4.0. Check course details with the university.
Living costs in Edinburgh
Average private rent in the Lothian area was £1,415 a month in August 2026, against a UK average of £1,400. Student rooms usually cost less than a whole home. Cost of living in Edinburgh.
Other universities and colleges in Edinburgh: Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh.
Is Heriot-Watt University right for you?
In the app, enter your predicted and expected grades to see Aspirational, Realistic and Safer labels, compare two universities side by side, or save Heriot-Watt University to your shortlist.
Open Be University WiseSources
- National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students
- Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA
- LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education
- Price Index of Private Rents, Office for National Statistics
- Discover Uni: compare courses, official UK course comparison website
- Heriot-Watt University: official website
Data used under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Office for Students, Department for Education, ONS) and CC BY 4.0 (HESA). All sources and licences.
All university and college profiles · Rankings
Quick answers
Where is Heriot-Watt University in the Be Wise ranking?
58th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 45.3 out of 100. The Be Wise ranking uses only official data on student experience, continuation, graduate prospects and earnings.
What do students say about Heriot-Watt University?
In the 2026 National Student Survey, an average of 81.6% of final-year students gave positive answers across the seven themes, from 753 responses. Its highest theme compared with the average was learning resources (88.0%, against 88.5%), and its lowest was assessment and feedback (76.4%, against 82.7%).
How many students continue their course at Heriot-Watt University?
On Discover Uni data, 83.5% of full-time degree students were still studying or had qualified a year after starting. The average in the overall table was 83.0%.
What do Heriot-Watt University graduates go on to do?
On Discover Uni data, 75.3% of graduates were in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing. The average in the overall table was 63.7%.
How much do Heriot-Watt University graduates earn?
Median earnings five years after graduating were £38,100 in the 2023-24 tax year, according to the Department for Education's LEO data. That is in line with the UK average for graduates of the same mix of subjects.
What UCAS points do you need for Heriot-Watt University?
Entry requirements vary by course, so check each course page. Among recent entrants with UCAS Tariff points, the most common band was 176 to 191 points. Past entrants' points are not offers.
How much is rent near Heriot-Watt University?
The ONS average private rent in the Lothian area was £1,415 a month in August 2026. Student rooms in halls or shared houses usually cost less than a whole home.