Notable programs
BSc Actuarial Science (Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics)
Top-3 globally ranked actuarial science program alongside Macquarie (Sydney) and Waterloo (Ontario). Structural relationships with the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) with exemption pathways from IFoA professional examinations built into the BSc curriculum. Direct placement into UK insurance and actuarial consultancies (Aviva, Legal and General, Standard Life Aberdeen, Prudential UK, the Big Four actuarial practices, Mercer, WTW). Substantial alumni density in UK and international actuarial roles.
BEng Mechanical Engineering / BEng Petroleum Engineering (School of Engineering and Physical Sciences)
James Watt heritage materially shapes the mechanical and electrical engineering identity. Petroleum engineering reflects the Aberdeen-area UK oil and gas heritage with structural placement into BP, Shell, Total, Chevron, ExxonMobil and the UK offshore industry. The 2020s energy transition is reshaping curriculum towards offshore wind and renewables (Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, Ørsted, SSE Renewables, ScottishPower Renewables) alongside the historical hydrocarbon focus.
BSc Brewing and Distilling (International Centre for Brewing and Distilling)
The ONLY Brewing and Distilling Bachelor's program in Europe — structurally distinctive training in fermentation science, distillation chemistry, sensory analysis, and industrial brewing and distilling operations. Direct relationships with the Scotch whisky industry (Diageo, Pernod Ricard's Chivas Brothers, William Grant and Sons, Edrington, Beam Suntory's Bowmore and Laphroaig), UK brewing industry (Heineken, AB InBev, Carlsberg, Asahi), and global craft distilling sector. The MSc Brewing and Distilling extends the structural specialism at the postgraduate level.
BSc Computer Science (School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences)
Research-respectable computer science with growing AI, machine learning, robotics, and data science capacity. Edinburgh tech corridor placement (Skyscanner Edinburgh, FanDuel Edinburgh, the broader Edinburgh tech sector) accessible from the Riccarton campus. The joint Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences with the University of Edinburgh provides Russell-Group-adjacent research integration despite Heriot-Watt's University Alliance status.
BBA School of Management (Edinburgh Business School)
Edinburgh Business School operates structured business and management programs with international branch campus delivery in Dubai, Malaysia, and the Edinburgh campus. Distance learning Master's programs (the Edinburgh Business School MBA via distance learning) have materially shaped the school's international reach. Strong placement into UK and international business sectors, with structural relationships to the Edinburgh financial services community (Standard Life Aberdeen, Lloyds Banking Group, RBS/NatWest, Aegon UK).