Heriot-Watt University: international student trends
Non-UK enrolment, international share, and the top countries of domicile for students at Heriot-Watt University. Source: HESA/Jisc, 2024/25 release. Part of our UK international student statistics.
Heriot-Watt University enrolled 3,075 international students in 2024/25, making up 31.2% of the student body (down 7.8% over five years).
International enrolment over time
| Year | International students | Total students | International share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | 3,685 | 10,705 | 34.4% |
| 2015/16 | 3,250 | 10,460 | 31.1% |
| 2016/17 | 3,090 | 10,500 | 29.4% |
| 2017/18 | 3,140 | 10,910 | 28.8% |
| 2018/19 | 3,160 | 10,935 | 28.9% |
| 2019/20 | 3,335 | 11,155 | 29.9% |
| 2020/21 | 3,270 | 11,200 | 29.2% |
| 2021/22 | 4,135 | 11,680 | 35.4% |
| 2022/23 | 4,495 | 11,625 | 38.7% |
| 2023/24 | 4,100 | 10,665 | 38.4% |
| 2024/25 | 3,075 | 9,845 | 31.2% |
Top countries of domicile
| Country | Latest students | Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 915 | +771% |
| China | 525 | -38% |
| France | 210 | +91% |
| Nigeria | 185 | +61% |
| Malaysia | 160 | +3% |
| United Arab Emirates | 160 | +78% |
Want to know what Heriot-Watt University graduates go on to earn? See graduate outcomes at Heriot-Watt University.
Methodology & attribution
Source: HESA/Jisc (hesa.ac.uk). International = non-UK country of domicile. Figures aggregated from country-of-domicile rows and rounded by HESA to the nearest 5, so small counts are approximate. 2024/25 release.
Frequently asked questions
How many international students does Heriot-Watt University have?
HESA/Jisc data (2024/25 release) shows Heriot-Watt University enrolled 3,075 international (non-UK domiciled) students in 2024/25. The table above shows the year-by-year trend.
What share of Heriot-Watt University's students are international?
International students made up 31.2% of the student body at Heriot-Watt University in the latest HESA release, up from earlier years shown in the chart above.
Is international enrolment at Heriot-Watt University growing?
International enrolment at Heriot-Watt University has fallen by 7.8% over the five-year period covered by the latest HESA data.
Which countries do most of Heriot-Watt University's international students come from?
India is the largest source country for international students at Heriot-Watt University, per HESA/Jisc country-of-domicile data. The table above lists the top source countries and how they've changed.
Can international graduates from Heriot-Watt University work in the UK after finishing?
Yes. Graduates of any UK university that holds a Student-sponsor licence, including Heriot-Watt University, can apply for the Graduate visa (2 years for bachelor's/master's, 3 years for PhD) without needing a job offer. To stay longer, a graduate typically switches to the Skilled Worker route with a sponsoring employer.
When is HESA international enrolment data refreshed?
HESA/Jisc publishes "Where students study" data once a year. We refresh this page from the new release shortly after it's published.