Heriot-Watt University (Scottish Gaelic: Oilthigh Heriot-Watt) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was established in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanics' institute, and was subsequently granted university status by royal charter in 1966. It is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United Kingdom. The name Heriot-Watt was taken from Scottish inventor James Watt and Scottish philanthropist and goldsmith George Heriot.
The annual income of the institution for 2024–25 was £293.9 million of which £52.3 million was from research grants and contracts, with an expenditure of £301.1 million. Known for its focus on science as well as engineering, it is one of the 23 colleges that were granted university status in the 1960s, and it is sometimes considered a plate glass university, like Lancaster and York.
The university has three campuses in Scotland and one each in the UAE and Malaysia.
Local Community Integrity
Moving to a new city can be daunting. Based on official Government data, here is the demographic reality of the tight-knit neighbourhood immediately surrounding Swansea University - Bay Campus.
*Data represents the Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) indices immediately contiguous to the campus perimeter.
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Student Living Costs
Scotland
Est. Annual Total
£9,660
*Based on NatWest Student Index
Monthly Breakdown£805
Rent£550
Groceries£105
Bills & Transport£150
Average Pint£4.80
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