Heriot-Watt University is one of the UK's leading universities for business and industry and has a reputation for innovative education, enterprise and leading edge research.

The University continues a rich tradition of excellence going back two centuries. Built on Scotland's record of enquiry, discovery and invention, Heriot-Watt is at the heart of a movement towards global access to a high quality learning experience.

Heriot-Watt University's heritage is one of providing solutions, both to the challenges of today and in delivering relevant education to students. Often referred to as "Scotland's International University", Heriot-Watt has three campuses in Scotland, a campus in Dubai and over 50 international academic learning partners.

Heriot-Watt students share their academic and social life with people from over 90 countries across the world. In fact, over 30% of our students on campus are from outside the UK, including Norway, China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, Spain, Mexico and Greece. Heriot-Watt is consistently rated as one of the top universities by leading national newspapers, and almost all research activity at the main Edinburgh Campus is independently assessed at international or national excellence levels. This success is reflected in the superb partnerships the University is able to generate globally.

Warm Scottish hospitality, allied to a Scottish education, is a combination held in high esteem throughout the world. This perhaps explains why Heriot-Watt is one of the most culturally diverse, socially alive and harmonious centres of study in the UK. We are proud of the fact that Heriot-Watt University is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the UK, whose origins date back to 1821.

The name Heriot-Watt commemorates George Heriot - the 16th century financier to King James, and James Watt - the great 18th century inventor and engineer. The University originated as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, founded in 1821 as the world's first Mechanics Institute, which revolutionised access to education. An early pioneer of equal opportunities, women were welcomed as early as 1869 - twenty years ahead of other institutions, and in 1966, Heriot-Watt became a University by Royal Charter.

The Scottish College of Textiles in Galashiels merged with Heriot-Watt in 1998 and created the University's School of Textiles and Design. The Watt Club, the University's Alumni Association, recently celebrated its 150th Anniversary, making The Watt Club the oldest graduate association in the UK.

Link to Heriot-Watt University website: www.hw.ac.uk