School of the Built Environment

About the School of the Built EnvironmentProfessor Hull lecturing

Welcome to the School of the Built Environment at Heriot-Watt University. Our School is a multi-disciplinary centre for research and teaching in a wide variety of subjects that all influence our built environment. We have four programme areas that make up the School:

  1. Architectural Engineering,
  2. Civil and Structural Engineering,
  3. Construction Management & Surveying
  4. Urban Studies.

We have an experienced and well regarded body of academic staff that specialise in a variety of areas of research expertise including drainage, urban design and regeneration, flood management, building conservation and sustainable building techniques.

The facilities that exist at the School support the learning and teaching at the School and all of our students and researchers benefit from access to our state of the art laboratory and computing facilities.

Undergraduate Study

A practical exercise with students drillingWe offer twelve courses at undergraduate level within the School, all of which benefit from cross programme activities which help to make our graduates aware of the different aspects of the built environment. We have a highly successful track record of graduate employment and our unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application of skills make our students well prepared for their future careers. There are opportunities within the courses for industrial placements, field trips abroad, practical and lab-based work and working abroad for a year all of which supplement the usual mix of lectures, assignments and group work.

View the undergraduate prospectus

Places still available on Urban Studies degree programme, apply now!

NSS Survey

The National Student Survey (NSS) at Heriot-Watt is now open.  Students who are eligible to participate will be contacted from 25 January by Ipsos MORI.  The University strongly encourages our students to complete the survey.  Please give us your views on your experience of your time at Heriot-Watt. The survey only takes 5 minutes to complete. For further information and to complete the survey go to www.thestudentsurvey.com

Postgraduate Study

Our postgraduate course options cover a wide range of subject areas and are highly regarded by our industrial partners, employers and the professional institutions that accredit them. We have a choice of twenty four MSc courses ranging from Civil Engineering & Construction Management to Housing and Regeneration. More details about the courses on offer.

We recognise the need for flexible study options and so our postgraduate teaching programme includes options for part time and independent distance learning options as well as the opportunity to study at diploma and certificate level.

Our postgraduate community is truly international with students from across the globe taking part in the programme of courses. Our graduates have a highly successful track record of employment and our extensive links with industry help to ensure that they go onto rewarding futures where they are well prepared for the challenges that will face them.

Research and Business

The School is one of the leading Built Environment research institutions in the UK and has centres of expertise in several areas including drainage and flood prevention, sustainable building design and conservation, and housing and urban society.

For information about recent research projects, collaborations and publications please visit our Research and Business webpages.