Heriot-Watt College building in Chambers Street, Edinburgh, black and white

Our heritage

Heriot-Watt University is a product of the Scottish Enlightenment. A pioneer in bringing education to working people in 1821 and founder of a global movement through the creation of the world's first Mechanics Institute. This is our story.

The story of Heriot-Watt

Since our foundation in 1821, we have been outward looking pioneers of education in pursuit of knowledge to benefit the society and the world.

1821

Edinburgh School of Arts, the world's first Mechanics Institute, founded by Leonard Horner and Robert Bryson in Niddry Street.

1837

Edinburgh School of Arts moves to new larger, leased premises in Adam Square, Edinburgh.

1851

Watt Subscription Fund donates funding to School as Edinburgh's monument to James Watt.

1852

Edinburgh School of Arts becomes Watt Institution and School of Arts.

1854

Formation of the Watt Club - the UK's oldest higher education institution alumni association.

1869

Pioneering campaigner Mary Burton led a successful campaign to admit women.

1872

Watt Institution and School of Arts obtained a new site in Chambers Street, and the foundation stone was laid.

1874

Mary Burton becomes the first woman on the School's Board of Directors and a Life Governor of Heriot-Watt College.

1885

George Heriot's Trust's investments support the Watt Institution and School of Arts, and so created Heriot-Watt College.

1902

The College becomes a Central Institution, teaching to degree standard with the Associates of Heriot-Watt College award.

1934

Heriot-Watt became the home of acclaimed novelist Dame Muriel Spark.

1949

Graduate Christina Miller becomes first woman elected as fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh.

1966

The Royal Charter gives Heriot-Watt its University status, granted by Queen Elizabeth II.

1971

Heriot-Watt's links with industry enter a new era as it establishes the first University Research Park in Europe.

1989

The International Centre for Island Technology at the Orkney Campus opens in Stromness.

1990

Edinburgh Business School launches first online MBA.

1992

Heriot-Watt University's central Edinburgh activities are relocated to Riccarton.

1998

Merger with Scottish College of Textiles to create Scottish Borders Campus.

2005

The Dubai Campus was founded. The University was the first to set up in the new Dubai International Academic City.

2014

Heriot-Watt University opens its fifth Campus in Putrajaya, Malaysia, only 25km from Kuala Lumpur.

2015

Heriot-Watt awarded its third prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize in Further and Higher Education.

2016

ORIAM, Scotland's Sports Performance Centre, opens at Edinburgh Campus.

2016

University celebrates 50 years since Heriot-Watt was awarded a Royal Charter.

2018

Edinburgh Business School opens Panmure House, the former home of the father of economics, Adam Smith.

2021

University celebrates its 200th anniversary.