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Heriot-Watt University

Coordinates: 55°54′33″N 3°19′12″W / 55.90917°N 3.32000°W / 55.90917; -3.32000
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Heriot-Watt University
File:Logo hw.png
Established1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, 1966 as university
ChancellorBaroness Greenfield
PrincipalProfessor Steve Chapman
Chairman of CourtLord Penrose
Students9,283[1]
Undergraduates5,496 on Edinburgh Campus[1]
Postgraduates1,991 on Edinburgh Campus[1]
Location
Edinburgh
,
Scotland, United Kingdom

55°54′33″N 3°19′12″W / 55.90917°N 3.32000°W / 55.90917; -3.32000
Other campus locationsGalashiels
Stromness
Dubai
Websitewww.hw.ac.uk

Heriot-Watt University is a teaching and research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland with three satellite campuses. The eighth oldest higher education institution in the United Kingdom, it began in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanics' institute. In recognition of James Watt, the name changed to the Watt Institution and School of Arts in 1837, and to Heriot-Watt College in 1885 after George Heriot. The school helped produce munitions during World War I and train radar operators during World War II. It became a university in 1966.

Heriot-Watt is known for being research-ledand focuses on business and industry.[2][3] The university primarily offers vocational degrees, often leading to engineering or business roles.[4] As of 2011, it is ranked fourth in Scotland by the Complete University Guide.[5]

Main reception entrance on the Edinburgh campus.
Main reception entrance on the Edinburgh campus.

History

School of Arts of Edinburgh

The institution that became Heriot-Watt University was established in 1821 as the "School of Arts of Edinburgh" by local businessman Leonard Horner. Following a conversation with watchmaker Robert Bryson about the lack of technical education for the working classes throughout their city,Horner became eager to establish an institution filling that need.[6]: 64–66  His plan drew heavily on the example set by George Birkbeck, whose lectures in Anderson's Institution in Glasgow had taught chemistry and natural philosophy to working men around the turn of the 19th century.[7]

Renting rooms in St Cecilia's Hall on Niddry Street, the fledgling institution solicited Edinburgh's senior mechanics with details of classes their workers could soon attend before teaching commenced on 16 October 1821.[7][8] Although education at the School was not usually free — with yearly fees initially set at 15 shillings — it was subsidised. From its earliest days the institution's main source of income came through soliciting money via a subscription service, which allowed it to offer reduced fees to its students and eliminate them entirely in some cases.[7][9] In 1833 the School of Arts established its first course, awarding a Diploma of Life Membership to every student who gained proficiency in mathematics, chemistry and physics.[8]

Watt Institution and School of Arts

The former site of the Watt School
The former site of the Watt School on Chambers Street, today occupied by the Edinburgh Crown Office.

In 1837 the School of Arts moved to rented accommodation on Adam Square, which it was able to purchase in 1852 thanks to public funds raised in the memory of inventor and engineer James Watt.[8] In honour of this act, the School changed its name to the "Watt Institution and School of Arts," whereupon it received its first public funding: a scholarship of £50 a year from the Department of Science and Art.[8]

On 12 May 1854, the statue of James Watt that today stands outside the entrance of Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh Campus was unveiled outside the School of Arts. At a reception to celebrate the event, a club was established with the purpose of celebrating Watt's birthday each year. This was to eventually become the Watt Club, today the oldest alumni association in the UK.[10]

Another landmark occurred in the School in 1869 when women were permitted to attend lectures for the first time. This decision came about in part due to pressure from local campaigner Mary Burton, who subsequently became the School's first female director in 1874.[6]: 133–135 [11]

During the 1870s redevelopment of Edinburgh resulted in the demolition of Adam Square to facilitate the construction of Chambers Street.[6]: 148–153  After renting premises on Roxburgh Place for a brief period, the Watt School moved into a building on the newly constructed Chambers Street near where its former site had stood.[9] This was to cause the institution severe financial difficulties, which were ultimately resolved by the merger of its endowment with that of George Heriot's Hospital for Needy Orphans.[9] In 1885 the School's name was changed to "Heriot-Watt College" in recognition of this association, with the name Heriot ultimately deriving from jeweller, financier and philanthropist George Heriot.

Heriot-Watt College

Heriot-Watt grew substantially during its time as a college, with its premises, student body and curriculum all increasing in size as the demands industry made on the institution grew greater. Academically, the College appointed its first Professors in 1887 to administer the day classes which had begun to run alongside those taught in the night.[12] The institution's evolution into something resembling a modern university continued in 1904 with the introduction of the Associateship of Heriot-Watt College, an award conferred on the completion of certain three or four year full-time courses.

Heriot-Watt's premises also grew throughout the 20th century, gradually expanding between the original Chambers Street building and the Cowgate.[6]: 239–244  Expansion meant that the College made increasing demands on the George Heriot's Trust, which eventually resulted in Heriot-Watt becoming an independent body in 1927. While the Trust continued to pay Heriot-Watt a fixed sum each year, from then on the institution was responsible for managing its own financial affairs.[12]

Global events impacted on the speed of the college's expansion, as it twice found its resources diverted to the cause of war. During World War I, student numbers dropped as young men joined the army, while the engineering staff were made responsible for the organisation and supervision of shell and munitions manufacture in South-East Scotland. Teaching stalled as the engineering department was converted into a factory floor, with many women drafted in to assist in the production of shells.[6]: 213–215  Numbers dropped to an even greater extent during World War II, where the electrical engineering department was instructed to help train servicemen and women on employing the new technology of radar.

After the establishment of the postgraduate award of Fellowship of Heriot-Watt College in 1951, it became increasingly clear that the institution's associateships and fellowships were equivalent to the degrees and doctorates awarded by universities in all practical respects. This similarity was noted by the Robbins Report, which in 1963 recommended that the institution should be awarded university status. In 1966 this recommendation was acted upon, as "Heriot-Watt University" officially joined the ranks of the new plateglass universities.[12]

Heriot-Watt University

While Heriot-Watt continued to expand in the centre of Edinburgh after attaining university status -opening a new building in the Grassmarket in 1968- the institution had become big enough that relocation was felt to be desirable.[12] In 1966, Midlothian Council gifted the Riccarton estate in southwest Edinburgh to the university, and work began in 1969 on transforming the site into a future campus.[6]: 252  While the university ceased operating in Chambers Street in 1989, relocation to Riccarton was not completed until 1992, with teaching and facilities divided between the new campus and the centre of Edinburgh until this time.[6]: 381 [6]: 379 

The university continued to grow after its move to Riccarton, and in subsequent years constructed more student halls, a sports centre and a purpose-built home for the Edinburgh Business School on the site. In 1998, it merged with the Scottish College of Textiles in Galashiels, with the latter institution becoming Heriot-Watt's Scottish Borders Campus, while in 2006 it expanded further by opening a campus in Dubai.[6]: 436–441 

Campuses

the Edinburgh campus loch
A view of the Edinburgh campus loch.

Heriot-Watt currently has four campuses, with plans for a fifth in Malaysia announced in November 2011.[13] It also administers distance learning programmes through 50 approved learning partners to students around the world, whose studies are not linked to individual campuses.[14]

Edinburgh Campus

Heriot-Watt's main campus is located in Riccarton, Edinburgh on a 380 acre site once occupied by the estate of Riccarton House, several features of which remain on site. In addition to student residences, teaching and research facilities, and lecture halls, the campus has a purpose-built postgraduate centre, several shops and sports facilities. The campus is home to Europe's oldest research park, which allows collaboration between the university and several private businesses.[6]: 386 

Scottish Borders Campus
Scottish Borders Campus

Scottish Borders Campus

The Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels conducts teaching and research in textile and design. The campus is largely self-contained, with its own library, accommodation and catering facilities, but shares some facilities and administrative functions with the Edinburgh Campus.[15]

Dubai Campus

Heriot-Watt's Campus in Dubai, UAE is situated in Dubai International Academic City. Offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses similar to those found in Scotland, it facilitates student exchanges and campus transfers between Britain and the Emirates. A new expanded campus opened in November 2011, which doubled the number of students the university can offer provision for.[16]

Orkney Campus

The Orkney Campus in Stromness is home to the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT), part of Heriot-Watt's Institute of Petroleum Engineering. The Campus provides education to a small number of postgraduate students and is host to eight members of research staff.[17][18]

Schools

The university is divided into six schools and one institute that coordinate research and teaching in their own specialist areas:

Campus life

The university's main campus is set on 380 acres of parkland, with an active Student Union.[27] Thirty sports clubs hold regular events.[28] Thirteen music groups perform at a lunchtime music hour and regular concerts.[29] Campus facilities include several library collections, childcare, healthcare, a chaplaincy centre, a variety of recreational facilities, and an archive and museum.[30]

Notable alumni

statue of James Watt
This 1854 statue of James Watt was moved from Chambers Street to Riccarton following the school's relocation.
See also: Category:Alumni of Heriot-Watt University

Businesspeople

Politicians

Sportspeople

Writers

Others

See also

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References

  1. ^ a b c d "Heriot-Watt University: Key facts about Heriot-Watt University". Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  2. ^ "NAHSTE: Records of Heriot-Watt University". Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Heriot-Watt University: Our reputation". Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Unistats: Heriot-Watt University Employment Prospects". {{cite web}}: Text "accessdate 07-12-2011" ignored (help)
  5. ^ The Complete University Guide (2011) "University League Table 2012" thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j O'Farrell, P. N. (2004). Heriot Watt University: An Illustrated History. Pearson Education Limited. ISBN 0-273-69605-X
  7. ^ a b c Jameson, R, (1824), "Some Account of the School of Arts of Edinburgh", The Edinburgh philosophical journal, 11: 203–205{{citation}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ a b c d "NAHSTE: Records of School of Arts and the Watt Institution and School of Arts". Retrieved 05-12-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ^ a b c "GASHE: Student administration/Student financial aid, Heriot-Watt College, Edinburgh". Retrieved 06-12-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  10. ^ "A Short History of the Watt Club". Retrieved 06-12-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ "Gazzetteer for Scotland: Mary Burton". Retrieved 06-12-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ a b c d "NASTE: Records of Heriot-Watt College". Retrieved 06-12-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ "Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt wins global tender to establish £20m campus in Malaysia". Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  14. ^ "Heriot-Watt University: Study in your own country". Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  15. ^ HWU Scottish Borders Campus
  16. ^ "Heriot-Watt University: Alex Salmond opens Heriot Watt's new Dubai Campus". Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  17. ^ "ICIT website: Courses". Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  18. ^ "ICIT website: Staff". Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  19. ^ HWU School of the Built Environment
  20. ^ HWU School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
  21. ^ HWU School of Life Sciences
  22. ^ HWU School of Management and Languages
  23. ^ HWU School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
  24. ^ HWU School of Textiles and Design
  25. ^ HWU Edinburgh Business School
  26. ^ HWU Institute of Petroleum Engineering
  27. ^ Heriot-Watt University Student Union
  28. ^ HWU Sports Union Clubs
  29. ^ HWU Music at Heriot-Watt
  30. ^ HWU Facilities at Edinburgh Campus
  31. ^ Heriot Watt University: Mechanical Engineering - School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  32. ^ University of Edinburgh staff news. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  33. ^ Inventor of Cranium. Helensburgh Heroes website.
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