Heriot-Watt University

Postgraduate research opportunities at Heriot-Watt University

• Ranked in the world’s top 250 (QS World University Rankings 2024)
• 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for postgraduate positive outcomes (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023)
• Top 5 in Scotland for engineering, mathematics, and accounting and finance (Complete University Guide 2024)
• 1st in Scotland for aeronautical manufacture, building and general engineering (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)

Research Excellence

Heriot-Watt offers an outstanding environment for postgraduate research. Our £7M Postgraduate Centre combines facilities for training, outreach, and social interaction with other postgraduate students from across the University. Heriot-Watt is also home to the UK’s leading innovation hub in robotics and artificial intelligence – The National Robotarium.

Almost 90% of our research outputs are ranked world-leading and internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). We are dedicated to addressing global challenges through practical solutions that transform our society and environment.

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Scholarships, fees and funding

We offer a number of competitive funded scholarships for research degree studies. Full or partial support may be available for well-qualified candidates from UK research councils, research pools, charities, industry or the university’s own scholarships.

The University offers annual James Watt Scholarships, approximately 80 each year, for well-qualified applicants. Other competitive funding is available such as RCUK funded Doctoral Training Awards.

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Effective financial planning is essential for all postgraduate students, whether you are funded or self-financing, a UK national or an international student. Estimated student budgets for those living both on and off campus are available here.

“My Heriot-Watt education has been essential to my success. I found the environment at Heriot-Watt to be very collegial, and I was able to learn from faculty and the other PhD candidates on a daily basis. I appreciated their feedback on research projects and their advice on different things that I should be doing to help advance my research skills and career.”

Dr John Creamer, PhD in Economics

Postgraduate Research Opportunities

Postgraduate research degrees at Heriot-Watt include PhD and EngD, DBA, MRes and MPhil.

Research projects are offered with supervisors who work at the cutting edge of contemporary topics, from the fundamental to the applied, in all our disciplines. Projects often involve working in research teams, with industry involvement, and many have collaborations with other leading research laboratories around the world.

First-class training is provided, focusing on the necessary support for career development.

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Our PhD and EngD opportunities

School, Research Institute and Research Centre web pages provide detailed information on research and potential research project opportunities for PhD and EngD studies.

• PhD opportunities in Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
• PhD opportunities in Engineering and Physical Sciences
• PhD opportunities in Mathematical and Computer sciences
• PhD opportunities in Social Sciences
• PhD opportunities in Textiles and Design

At our overseas campuses:

• PhD opportunities at our Dubai Campus
• PhD opportunities at our Malaysia Campus

How to apply

To apply for a PhD position, please use our online postgraduate application form. Please note that we you will be required to provide the details of your research project and the name of the Academic Supervisor that you would like to work with.

Study in the best city in the world

Voted 1st in the world by the Time Out Index, Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most internationally connected cities. It’s an excellent place to study and live in, and millions of people come to Edinburgh every year to experience the best of what the city has to offer: festivals, food, culture and scenery.

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Attend our open evening, go on a campus tour, or have a virtual chat with your chosen academic – we would be happy to see you.

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Get in touch with us: studywithus@hw.c.uk

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