"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 subsequently granted university status by royal charter in 1966.

It is the eighth-oldest higher education institute in the United Kingdom.

The name Heriot-Watt was taken from Scottish inventor James Watt and Scottish philanthropist and goldsmith George Heriot.

The first personal chair was appointed in 1974.[14]

While Heriot-Watt University continued to expand in the centre of Edinburgh after attaining university status, the institution had grown big enough that relocation was felt to be desirable.

In 1966 Midlothian County Council gifted the Riccarton estate north of Currie to the university and in 1969 work began on transforming the site into a future campus.

The process of relocation to Riccarton continued until 1992, with teaching and facilities divided between the new campus and the city centre until this time.

The Heriot-Watt University has continued to grow after completing its move to Riccarton, constructing additional student halls, a sports centre and a postgraduate centre on the site.

The institution also expanded beyond Edinburgh, merging with the Scottish College of Textiles to create a campus in the Scottish Borders in 1998, opening a campus in Dubai in 2006 and a campus in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in 2012.

In recent years, the university's campus in Edinburgh has benefited from major infrastructural projects worth £60 million, with another £68 million worth investment announced.

These include the UK's first purpose-built graduate centre (£6 million),Scotland's elite Oriam Sports Performance Centre facility (£33 million), and the UK's first FlexBIO flexible downstream bioprocessing centre (£2 million).

It is also constructing a 5,000m² Watt Innovation Building supporting Global Research, Innovation and Discovery [GRID] to boost 'creativity and ideas generation' on the university's growing Edinburgh campus.

GRID is a new ground-breaking facility to advance their global research, innovation and discovery. It has been designed to create cohesion between academic disciplines, industry partners and the global community, providing an innovative teaching and learning environment for mathematics, engineering, physical sciences and computer science students and staff.

The Heriot-Watt University has plans to host a major £65 million film studio and a £2.5 million academic partnership with the oil and gas firm Total.

However, in 2017 it was also announced that a major budget shortfall and the impact of Brexit would result in Heriot-Watt shedding 100 jobs by voluntary redundancies.

Heriot-Watt's main campus is located in Riccarton in South West Edinburgh on 380 acres (150 hectares) of parkland.

The campus consists of: academic buildings, student residences, a postgraduate centre, shops, several library collections, childcare, healthcare, a chaplaincy, a variety of recreational and sports facilities, and a museum, as well as the Student Union's main premises.

Heriot-Watt University's campuses in Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney each offer bespoke facilities and a distinctive learning environment.

Heriot-Watt University is valued for its pioneering research informed by the global needs of business and industry.

Living on Heriot-Watt University's beautiful Edinburgh campus is a great way to meet others from all over the world and make lifelong friends. Heriot-Watt University's student accommodation is conveniently located within easy reach of the teaching buildings, sports facilities, catering venues and the Student Union.

At Heriot-Watt University, they offer a wide range of services to help you deal with all aspects of your life with them, whether these be academic, personal, technical, financial or just plain fun!

Heriot Watt University's Student Services are on hand to support your learning through a wide range of provision including accommodation, computing, healthcare, sport, welfare and careers.

Heriot Watt University support complements the services and facilities offered through the Students' Association.

With over £9 million being invested in refurbishing the Library and Learning Commons areas, Edinburgh students can expect high quality, technology-enabled study spaces. The recurrent resources budget ensures easy and plentiful access to textbooks and journals, both online and in paper for