Heriot-Watt University operates across five distinct global campuses, including three in Scotland alongside international campuses in Dubai and Malaysia. Tracing its roots back to 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the institution became a university in 1966 and offers degree programs spanning engineering, physical sciences, social sciences, business, textiles and design, and built environment disciplines.

The university’s primary site is the Edinburgh Campus, situated on a 380-acre parkland estate in Riccarton, on the western outskirts of Scotland’s capital. This main footprint combines dedicated academic buildings with natural woodlands and a central lake. Key landmarks include the Global Research Innovation and Discovery (GRID) facility, the Lyell Centre—a joint research hub with the British Geological Survey—and Oriam, Scotland’s National Performance Centre for Sport.

The institution's presence in Scotland extends into the Scottish Borders and Orkney Islands. The Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels serves as the historic base for the School of Textiles and Design, featuring specialized manufacturing, weaving, and fashion studios directly integrated with the region’s heritage textile industry. Further north, the Orkney Campus in Stromness functions as a specialized marine scientific base, housing the International Centre for Island Technology within a "living laboratory" environment dedicated to marine renewable energy and environmental research.

Internationally, Heriot-Watt maintains state-of-the-art campuses in Dubai Knowledge Park (UAE) and Putrajaya (Malaysia). The Dubai Campus offers custom-designed teaching laboratories, design studios, and student hub spaces within a major international academic zone. The Malaysia Campus is a eco-friendly, lakeside development featuring energy-efficient architecture and green living roofs. Across all five sites, the university delivers an integrated, career-focused learning environment with strong global mobility options.