Heriot-Watt University is a prominent research education institution located in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Recognised globally for their research contributions in Engineering and Science in particular, this university enjoys a formidable reputation among education ranking listings such as Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings. Despite the university’s campus not being centrally located in the city, students almost unanimously agree that there is more than enough fun to be had on-site, thanks to a proactive Student Union that is constantly working to create spaces and resources for clubs.
Latest ranking updates for Heriot-Watt University
- March 2024: Scimago Institutions Rankings update. Heriot-Watt University achieves place 704.
- December 2023: Urap announced latest results of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance with Heriot-Watt University in position 744.
- December 2023: Heriot-Watt University ranks 488 in the latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability from British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK.
- October 2023: Publication of GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking (Textile Science and Engineering). Ranking position #151.
University rankings
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- #12
- #64
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The Times Good University Guide
[Published 15 September, 2023]
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-
- #11
- #85
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The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
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-
- #6
- #44
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CUG The Complete University Guide
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #7
- #351
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
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- #5
- #235
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
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-
- #7
- #301
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QS Employability Rankings
[Published 23 September, 2021]
-
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- #9
- #725
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US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
-
-
- #8
- #901
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ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking
[Published 15 August, 2023]
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- #7
- #946
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CWTS Leiden Ranking
[Published 22 June, 2022]
-
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- #7
- #704
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
-
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- #7
- #706
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CWUR Center for World University Rankings
[Published 25 April, 2022]
-
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- #7
- #851
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NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers
[Published 11 July, 2023]
-
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- #7
- #744
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URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
-
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- #5
- #325
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RUR World University Rankings
[Published 25 May, 2023]
-
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- #8
- #541
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RUR Reputation Ranking
[Published 25 May, 2023]
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- #6
- #385
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RUR Academic Rankings
[Published 25 May, 2023]
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- #8
- #131
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StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
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- #8
- #488
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QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
[Published 05 December, 2023]
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- #7
- #516
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]
-
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- #9
- #709
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THE China Subject Ratings Overall
[Published 11 May, 2022]
Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings
Subject rankings
Agriculture
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- #7
- #655
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- Agriculture
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
Business
-
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- #4
- #33
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- Marketing
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
Computer Science
-
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- #6
- #33
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- Computer Science
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
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- #7
- #35
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- Computer Science
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The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
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- #3
- #251
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- Computer Science
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THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
-
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- #3
- #401
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- Computer Science
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NTU Rankings by Subject
[Published 11 July, 2023]
Design
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- #3
- #31
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- Interior Design
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Engineering
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- #2
- #8
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- Chemical Engineering
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The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
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- #3
- #15
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- Chemical Engineering
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
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- #3
- #16
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- Chemical Engineering
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
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- #2
- #277
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- Chemical Engineering
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NTU Rankings by Subject
[Published 11 July, 2023]
-
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- #3
- #401
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- Chemical Engineering
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GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
[Published 27 October, 2023]
-
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- #4
- #466
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- Chemical Engineering
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
-
-
- #4
- #15
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- Civil Engineering
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The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
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- #4
- #20
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- Civil Engineering
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #4
- #22
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- Civil Engineering
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #4
- #278
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- Civil Engineering
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NTU Rankings by Subject
[Published 11 July, 2023]
-
-
- #4
- #336
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- Civil Engineering
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
-
-
- #3
- #176
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- Engineering
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THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
-
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- #4
- #355
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- Engineering
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
-
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- #4
- #490
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- Environmental Engineering
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
-
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- #4
- #20
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- Mechanical Engineering
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The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #4
- #30
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- Mechanical Engineering
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #6
- #45
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- Mechanical Engineering
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #3
- #201
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- Mechanical Engineering
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GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
[Published 27 October, 2023]
-
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- #4
- #300
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- Mechanical Engineering
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NTU Rankings by Subject
[Published 11 July, 2023]
-
-
- #4
- #384
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- Mechanical Engineering
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
Languages & Literature
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- #4
- #24
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- French
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
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- #3
- #21
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- German
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
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- #3
- #201
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- Linguistics
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QS World University Rankings By Subject
[Published 22 March, 2023]
Mathematics
-
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- #2
- #6
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- Mathematics
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The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
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- #4
- #16
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- Mathematics
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #4
- #18
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- Mathematics
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
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- #3
- #151
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- Mathematics
-
GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
[Published 27 October, 2023]
-
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- #3
- #201
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- Mathematics
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QS World University Rankings By Subject
[Published 22 March, 2023]
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- #2
- #301
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- Mathematics
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NTU Rankings by Subject
[Published 11 July, 2023]
Natural Sciences
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- #10
- #52
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- Biology
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
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- #6
- #35
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- Chemistry
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
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- #6
- #41
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- Chemistry
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #6
- #44
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- Chemistry
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The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #6
- #451
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- Chemistry
-
QS World University Rankings By Subject
[Published 22 March, 2023]
-
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- #5
- #436
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- Geology
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
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- #4
- #18
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- Physics
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Social Studies & Humanities
-
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- #3
- #14
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- Economics
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
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- #6
- #32
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- Economics
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #6
- #32
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- Economics
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The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #6
- #453
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- Economics
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
-
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- #10
- #62
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- Psychology
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
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- #12
- #72
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- Psychology
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The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #12
- #82
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- Psychology
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The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
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- #8
- #301
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- Psychology
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THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
Highest subject rankings for Heriot-Watt University
Mathematics
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
#6
Mathematics
Chemical Engineering
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
#8
Engineering
Economics
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#14
Social Studies & Humanities
Physics
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#18
Natural Sciences
German
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#21
Languages & Literature
Interior Design
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#31
Design
Computer Science
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#33
Computer Science
Marketing
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#33
Business
Agriculture
URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#655
Agriculture
About Heriot-Watt University
PROS
- Current and former students report that the residential halls are well furbished, complete with kitchen appliances and en -suite bathrooms.
- A huge variety of clubs and societies on -campus, including sports activities, study groups, and special interest clubs. Additionally, many users report fair and accessible prices for membership.
- According to QS University Rankings, Heriot -Watt University is consistently ranked among the Top 300 in the world. This ensures both students and future employers that this institution is a worthwhile investment.
CONS
- A recurring criticism from students is that there is poor communication between departments. This can cause issues where classrooms, computer suites, or seminar halls are unexpectedly occupied.
- The number of hours spent in the classroom is limited for most courses, according to general opinion from current and former students. Applicants for this university should expect to conduct a lot of individual study.
Key facts
THE Student Experience Survey by Times Higher Education
Times Higher Education has surveyed 20251 undergraduate students in the UK about their study experience. 106 students of Heriot-Watt University participated in the survey.
Below you'll find the results for each of the survey questions for Heriot-Watt University in comparison to the average for all UK universities.
Overall score: 76.1
Data is from 2018 which was the last year for which the survey was published. Survey was discontinued after 2018. Details of Methodology
Map of Heriot-Watt University
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The University of Edinburgh
#1
(9.04 Km)
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Edinburgh Napier University
#10
(5.11 Km)
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Queen Margaret University
#12
(15.52 Km)
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Scotland's Rural College University
#15
(9.02 Km)
FAQ
Heriot-Watt University ranks #8 in Scotland in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 20 universities in Scotland.
Heriot-Watt University ranks #2 in Edinburgh in our meta ranking. See rankings of all 5 universities in Edinburgh.
Heriot-Watt University is listed in The Times Good University Guide, The Guardian League Table, CUG The Complete University Guide, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, QS Employability Rankings and more. See all 28 rankings of Heriot-Watt University.
Heriot-Watt University achieved #44 in CUG The Complete University Guide. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for Heriot-Watt University.
Heriot-Watt University achieved the highest ranking for Architecture, Building & Planning. It is ranked #1 in (Building). See all subject rankings for Heriot-Watt University.
A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings Heriot-Watt University ranks #2 among universities in Edinburgh and #8 among universities in Scotland. See all rankings of Heriot-Watt University.
In our meta ranking Heriot-Watt University ranks #8 among all universities in Scotland and The University of Edinburgh ranks #1. See all rankings of universities in Edinburgh. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.
Ranking publishers
The Times and The Sunday Times
- Published:
- 15 September, 2023
- Published:
- 15 September, 2023
The Guardian News and Media Limited
- Published:
- 09 September, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -The Guardian League Table:
- Student to Staff Ratio: 15%
Entry Standards: 15%
Expenditure per Student: 5%
Continuation 15% (non-medical subjects) OR 5% (medical subjects)
NSS - Teaching: 8%
NSS - Assessment & Feedback: 8%
NSS - Overall Satisfaction: 4%
Career Prospects: 15%
Value added: 15%
- Published:
- 09 September, 2023
The University League Tables
- Published:
- 08 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -CUG The Complete University Guide:
- Entry Standards 12.5%
Student Satisfaction 18.75%
Student-Staff Ratio 12.5%
Research Quality 12.5%
Research Intensity 6.25%
Academic Service Spending 6.25%
Facilities Spending 6.25%
Graduate Prospects 12.5%
Degree Completion Rate 12.5%
- Published:
- 08 June, 2023
Rogers Digital Media
U-Ranking
RUY
América Economía
Perspektywy
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Published:
- 27 September, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:
- 30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
- Reputation survey: 15%
- Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
- Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
- Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
- Institutional income: 2.25%
30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
- Reputation survey: 18%
- Research income: 6%
- Research productivity: 6%
30% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
- Proportion of international students: 2.5%
- Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
- International collaboration: 2.5%
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"
- Published:
- 23 November, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:
- Employability (survey) 100%
- Published:
- 19 October, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings by Subject:
- 37.4% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
37.6% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
15% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)
- Published:
- 27 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:
- Research Reputation 66,6%
Teaching Reputation 33,3%
- Published:
- 25 January, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:
- Proportion of international students 25%
Proportion of international staff 25%
Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25%
University’s international reputation 25%
- Published:
- 03 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Young University Rankings:
- Teaching 30%
Research (volume, income and reputation) 30%
Citations 30%
International outlook (staff, students, research) 7.5%
Industry income (knowledge transfer) 2.5%
- Published:
- 01 June, 2023
- Published:
- 10 May, 2022
- Published:
- 11 May, 2022
British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK
- Published:
- 27 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:
- Academic Reputation 40%
Employer Reputation 10%
Faculty/Student Ratio 20%
Citations per faculty 20%
International Faculty Ratio 5%
International Student Ratio 5%
- Published:
- 23 September, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:
- Employer reputation 30%
Alumni outcomes 25%
Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25%
Employer/Student Connections 10%
Graduate employment rate 10%
- Published:
- 22 March, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings By Subject:
- Academic Reputation: 50%
Employer Reputation: 30%
Research Citations Per Paper: 10%
H-index: 10%
- Published:
- 05 December, 2023
RUF
Sapiens Research
Thomson Reuters
- Published:
- 30 April, 2019
- Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities Europe:
- Patent volume 11.11%
Patent success 11.11%
Global patents 11.11%
Patent citations 11.11%
Percent of patents cited / Patent citation impact 11.11%
Patent to Article Citation Impact 11.11%
Industry Article Citation Impact 11.11%
Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11.11%
Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11.11%
National Institutional Ranking Framework
Careers360
Us News
- Published:
- 24 October, 2022
Urap
- Published:
- 19 December, 2023
- Published:
- 22 July, 2023
Forbes
Payscale
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Published:
- 15 August, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:
- **Quality of Education 10%**
- Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%
**Quality of Faculty 40%**
- Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
- Highly Cited Researchers 20%
**Research Output 40%**
- Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
- Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%
**Per Capita Performance 10%**
- Published:
- 27 October, 2023
Washington Monthly
Kiplinger
The Princeton Review
Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands
- Published:
- 22 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:
- Scientific Impact
Number of Publications
Collaboration
Open Access
Gender Diversity
Scimago Institutions
- Published:
- 06 March, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:
- Research 50%
Innovation 30%
Societal 20%
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
- Published:
- 25 April, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:
- **Research Performance: 40%**
- Research Output: 10%
- High-Quality Publications: 10%
- Influence: 10%
- Citations: 10%
**Quality of Education: 25%**
**Alumni Employment: 25%**
**Quality of Faculty: 10%**
MONEY
Nature Index
- Published:
- 15 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:
- Article count (AC)
Fractional count (FC)
Weighted fractional count (WFC)
NTU ranking
- Published:
- 11 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:
- **Research Productivity: 25%**
- \# Articles last 11 years: 10%
- \# Articles current year: 15%
**Research Impact: 35%**
- \# Citations last 11 years: 15%
- \# Citations last 2 years: 10%
- Average \# citations last 11 years: 10%
**Research Excellence: 40%**
- H-index last 2 years: 10%
- \# Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
- \# Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%
- Published:
- 11 July, 2023
RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:
- **Teaching: 40%**
- Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
- Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
- Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
- Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
- World Teaching Reputation: 8%
**Research: 40%**
- Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
- Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
- Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
- Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
- World Research Reputation: 8%
**International Diversity: 10%**
- International Faculty: 2%
- International Students: 2%
- International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
- Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
- International Level: 2%
**Financial Sustainability: 10%**
- Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
- Institutional Income per Student: 2%
- Papers per Research Income: 2%
- Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
- Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:
- Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20%
Citation per papers 20%
Papers per academic and research staff 20%
International research reputation 20%
Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:
- Teaching Reputation 50%
Research Reputation 50%
4icu
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
Webometrics
- Published:
- 31 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:
- Visibility 50%
Excellence 35%
Transparency 10%
Presence 5%
StuDocu
- Published:
- 06 September, 2021
