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Heriot-Watt University Dubai
RankingQS World University Rankings 2027: 325
Established1821
Famous ForEngineering, Business, Computer Science
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Overview
Heriot-Watt University Dubai is the Dubai campus of Heriot-Watt University, the Edinburgh university founded in 1821. The Dubai campus was established in 2005, when it became the first campus of an international university to open in Dubai, and it has grown into the largest international university campus in the United Arab Emirates, with nearly 5,000 students from 115 nationalities.
The campus delivers the same British degrees as Heriot-Watt in the UK, in subjects including engineering, computer science, business, design, psychology and the built environment, with the option of inter-campus transfer to Edinburgh or to the university’s Malaysia campus. In early 2025 all of its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes received Initial Programme Accreditation from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Heriot-Watt’s Dubai campus is known for its industry links, its Bloomberg Trading Room, its Global Incubator and its focus on employability in the Gulf. The campus received a five-star rating from Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority for three consecutive years, in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
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Our Services for Heriot-Watt University Dubai
The Dubai campus has a central Student Services Centre that supports international students with admissions, visas, accommodation advice, finance and settling into life in Dubai. Personal tutors support students academically, and the Student Council, student societies and the Wattbuds peer network help new students make friends and find their way around campus and the city.
New students take part in an induction programme that introduces the campus, its library, laboratories and learning spaces, and the practicalities of living in the UAE. English language support is available, and the careers team offers internships, employer events and guidance on working in Dubai and the wider Gulf, where many graduates build their careers.
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Rankings & Recognition
QS World University Rankings 2027: 325
Heriot-Watt University is ranked 325th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and 36th in the UK in the same table. QS ranks the institution as a whole, not the Dubai campus separately, so the Dubai campus carries the parent university’s rank. There is no separate Complete University Guide or Guardian rank for the Dubai campus.
The Dubai campus has been awarded a five-star rating by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and in early 2025 all of its programmes received Initial Programme Accreditation from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, confirming their standing in the UAE.
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Accommodation
Heriot-Watt University Dubai does not operate its own halls of residence. Instead, the university lists private accommodation options for its students, including purpose-built student residences, hotels and serviced apartments in and around Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Marina and neighbouring areas, with guidance on costs, contracts and transport.
The Student Services team advises students on choosing accommodation, sharing with other students, and the practicalities of renting in Dubai. Many students live in student residences a short journey from campus, while others share apartments in Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers and nearby communities, all well served by the Dubai Metro and buses.
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Location
Heriot-Watt University Dubai is based at Dubai Knowledge Park, a dedicated education and training free zone in the Al Sufouh area of Dubai. The campus moved to Knowledge Park in 2021, and in September 2025, marking twenty years in Dubai, it opened the James Watt Building, a 50,000 square foot extension with classrooms, digital learning spaces and a wellness room. The campus was officially opened by King Charles III in November 2023.
Dubai Knowledge Park is close to Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Internet City, with the Dubai Metro and tram nearby and easy road links to the rest of the city. Dubai International Airport is about 30 minutes away by road. Dubai offers students a safe, modern and international city, with beaches, malls, restaurants and year-round sunshine, and a large professional community in business, engineering and technology.
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Courses offered at Heriot-Watt University Dubai
63 verified courses with 2026/27 fees, IELTS & entry requirements — showing 61–63