Heriot-Watt Launches New Programmes in Data Science and Physics to Support Global Industry Needs

A Decade of Collaboration: Heriot-Watt Strengthens UK–China Higher Education Partnerships

Heriot-Watt University in the UK is celebrating a year of major advances in its international university collaborations, with significant anniversaries and new developments being marked across its joint degree programs in China. These developments were said to bear testament to the University's vision for longer-term UK–China higher education cooperation and its global vision for providing education and research with real-world relevance.
According to institutional sources, Heriot-Watt University's joint programmes in China have now reached a decade of success with Xidian University in Xi’an. Since 2015, the two institutions have jointly delivered a Telecommunications Engineering programme, which has produced a steady stream of highly skilled graduates contributing to China’s digital economy.

It was observed that around 95% of graduates from this program have gone on to pursue postgraduate studies in engineering and data science, with almost 69% graduating with First-Class honours, an achievement attributed to the intense academic pressures and quality education environment influenced by the UK education system overseas.
Similarly, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland, is also marking five years of partnership with Ocean University of China (OUC) in Qingdao. The Robotics JEP, which started in 2020, is reported to cover key industries in Shandong Province, such as marine technology, electric power, and medical robotics. According to recent statistics, 45% of the 2024 cohort attained First-Class degrees, with 57% in 2025. These performances are reportedly in line with China's Education Modernisation Plan (2021–2035), which emphasises STEM education and internationalisation.

Following on from these successes, two further Joint Education Programmes have been launched in 2025. A Data Science and Software Engineering JEP with Xidian University will be designed to give students the skills that are essential for artificial intelligence and digital innovation. In contrast, a Computational Physics JEP with OUC will offer cutting-edge skills in modelling, simulation, and scientific computing,fields regarded as essential for scientific breakthrough and technological advancement. These additions are regarded as being part of Heriot-Watt's contribution to the future universities' partnership and the changing requirements of the international industry.
University authorities have said the programmes are already having a positive effect, with hundreds of students now enrolled in the four JEPs. A number of graduates are reportedly being shortlisted for further study at top institutions in China, the UK, and the United States, such as Tsinghua University, Imperial College London, and MIT. Such results are said to improve career opportunities while giving students experience in both the Chinese and UK education systems.

The University of China's office in Beijing is critical in facilitating student activity, alumni networks, and research collaboration. It is noted that Heriot-Watt University, UK, is also working in partnership with Chinese partners on joint research projects in robotics, marine science, and energy systems, which align with national and regional development goals. Heriot-Watt University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard A. Williams is known to have embraced such achievements with enthusiasm, saying that agreements with Xidian University and Ocean University of China are at the heart of the University's global strategy. He emphasised the importance of training in engineering and robotics for the shaping of industry and society of the future, and pointed out contributions of the collaborative programs in meeting talent needs of the economy of the future.

Senior officials of both universities from China promoted the establishment of these exchanges of higher education with China for the benefit of students, the local commercial industry and collaborative research. These advancements capture Heriot-Watt's strategic vision for international education, institutional excellence, and transnational engagement altogether. Strengthening existing connections and venturing into new fields, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh campus, is taking charge of helping the students and industries excel in this rapidly transforming world, both in the UK and China.

Editor’s Note

This report provides a timely and compelling narrative of Heriot-Watt University UK's growing presence in China via Joint Education Programmes (JEPs). The University's collaborations with Xidian University and Ocean University of China are not symbolic gestures; they are yielding tangible results in engineering and robotics training, postgraduate advancement, and industry relevance. Most notable is the level of consistency in academic achievement. With almost 69% of Telecommunications Engineering and more than half of Robotics students graduating with First-Class honours, these courses are clearly upholding the high standards to be expected of the UK education system outside its borders. That 95% of students progress to postgraduate studies in engineering and data science testifies to the quality and applicability of the curriculum. The introduction of new JEPs in Data Science, Software Engineering, and Computational Physics is not an expansion but foresight. These subject areas are at the heart of industry's future, and Heriot-Watt University in Scotland is making itself a serious player in world talent pipelines. The alignment with China's Education Modernisation Plan and local development priorities in Shandong Province is an even stronger justification for such partnerships. It is also important to mention the China office of the University located in Beijing, which remains focused on alumni relations, student outreach, and research collaboration. Such infrastructure is a reflection of long-term commitment—not a fleeting initiative.
Heriot-Watt University is quietly achieving its global vision through collaborative programs in China. These initiatives not only enhance students' career prospects but also highlight the robust UK-China cooperation in higher education.

Skoobuzz recognises these programs as a model for future university partnerships and a testament to the strategic and effective nature of transnational education.

FAQs

1. What new programmes is Heriot-Watt University launching in China? 

In 2025, Heriot-Watt University UK will launch two new Joint Education Programmes (JEPs) in China. One is in Data Science and Software Engineering with Xidian University in Xi’an, and the other is in Computational Physics with Ocean University of China in Qingdao. These programmes aim to prepare students for careers in artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and scientific computing.

2. Does Heriot-Watt University offer postgraduate degrees in China? 

Heriot-Watt’s joint programmes in China are currently undergraduate-level. However, many students from these programmes go on to study postgraduate degrees in engineering and data science at top universities in the UK, China, and the United States. These include institutions such as Imperial College London, Tsinghua University, and MIT.

3. How is Heriot-Watt collaborating with Chinese universities? 

Heriot-Watt University is working closely with Chinese partners like Xidian University and Ocean University of China through Joint Education Programmes. These collaborations involve shared teaching, curriculum design, and student support. The University also has a China office in Beijing, which helps with alumni relations, student engagement, and research partnerships in areas such as robotics, marine science, and energy systems.

4. Can international students join Heriot-Watt’s joint programmes in China? 

These joint programmes are mainly designed for Chinese students, but international students may be eligible depending on the specific programme and university policies. It is best to check directly with Heriot-Watt University or the partner institution for entry requirements and application details.

5. Which engineering and data science courses are available through Heriot-Watt in China?

Heriot-Watt University currently offers the following engineering and data science courses in China:

• Telecommunications Engineering (with Xidian University)
• Robotics Engineering (with Ocean University of China)
• Data Science and Software Engineering (new in 2025, with Xidian University)
• Computational Physics (new in 2025, with Ocean University of China)