01 Identity
Scottish charity record
- OSCR charity number
- SC000278
- Status
- Active
- Regulatory type
- Standard
- Designated religious body
- No
- Geographical spread
- UK and overseas
- Volunteers
- over 250 volunteers
- Staff
- 2,514
- Postcode
- EH14 4AS
02 Purpose and work
What the charity exists to do
From a pioneering institute born out of the Scottish Enlightenment in 1821, to a leader in transnational education, Heriot-Watt has become a global university through a commitment to its vision, mission and ethos. Our vision is to be world leading within all our areas of specialism. Our mission is to create and exchange knowledge that benefits society and ethos. We put our community of students, staff and alumni at the heart of everything we do. Our distinctive strengths will continue to build a global university that pioneers innovation in education, research and enterprise Our Values Inspire curiosity to learn and find solutions that transform lives. Belong to a diverse, inclusive and international community working together across boundaries and cultures. Collaborate by working in partnership to shape the future whilst taking responsibility for our own actions. Celebrate excellence and take pride in the achievements of our students, staff and alumni
Charitable purposes
- the advancement of education
Beneficiaries
- Children or young people
- Other defined groups
Activities
- It makes grants, donations, loans, gifts or pensions to individuals
- It makes grants, donations or gifts to organisations
- It carries out activities or services itself
Constitutional objectives
The University shall engage in, and promote, original research and shall be a teaching, examining and awarding body. Its objects shall be to advance education, knowledge and wisdom by research, knowledge exchange, scholarship, learning and teaching, for the benefit of individuals and society at large (hereinafter called 'the Objects').
03 Annual returns
Income and expenditure history
| Year end | Income | Expenditure | Staff | Return received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2025 | £308,456,000 | £318,344,000 | 2,514 | 28 April 2026 |
| 31 July 2024 | £292,278,000 | £241,489,000 | 2,514 | 29 April 2025 |
| 31 July 2023 | £273,214,000 | £287,547,000 | 2,514 | 25 April 2024 |
| 31 July 2022 | £260,621,000 | £295,343,000 | 2,514 | 5 April 2023 |
| 31 July 2021 | £235,069,000 | £232,870,000 | 2,514 | 2 May 2022 |
Figures are those reported by the charity and supplied in the OSCR bulk download. Blank facts remain distinct from zero.
04 Contact record
Principal office or trustees address
- Address supplied to OSCR
- George Heriot Wing, Edinburgh Campus, Edinburgh
- Website supplied to OSCR
- www.hw.ac.uk
- Parent charity
- Not supplied
No direct external links on this profile. The official OSCR record and source documentation are available through BritDB’s dedicated source page.
05 Provenance
Source for this profile
© Crown Copyright and database right 2026. Contains information from the Scottish Charity Register supplied by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. BritDB is an independent service and does not claim to be the Scottish Charity Register.