Heriot-Watt University

A Brief History with a Computer Science Bent

David Marwick's more detailed history of Computer Science at Heriot-Watt University is developing here.

1821 School of Arts founded by Leonard Horner - One of the first mechanics institutes in the UK and the eighth oldest higher education institution in the UK.
1852 School renamed Watt Institution and School of Arts.
1869 Institution pioneers acceptance of female students - 20 years ahead of others.
1885 Institution renamed Heriot-Watt College in recognition of benefices received from George Heriot Trust.
1902 College becomes a Scottish Central Institution.
1966 University charter granted under principalship of Hugh Nisbet. Faculties: Science; Engineering; Economic and Social Studies.
Heriot-Watt University offers first Computer Science degree in Scotland.
1967 Foundation of an independent Department of Computer Science (originally called the Computer Unit).
1968 Link with Edinburgh College of Art results in addition of Faculty of Environmental Studies.
1970 First cohort of Computer Scientists graduate.
1971 Building commences for new Riccarton campus.
1986 Link with Edinburgh College of Art extended to add Faculty of Art and Design.
1990 Link with Scottish College of Textiles results in addition of Faculty of Textiles.
1992 Last departments, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, move out from the City to Riccarton and are merged as Department of Computing and Electrical Engineering.
1998 Full merger with Scottish College of Textiles results in creation of Scottish Borders Campus of Heriot-Watt University.
2002 University loses its Faculties. Edinburgh College of Art continues to award Heriot-Watt validated degrees.
Department of Computing and Electrical Engineering dis-established. Computer Science joins Mathematics and Actuarial Mathematics & Statistics in new School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences.
2004 Validation of Edinburgh College of Art degrees transferred to University of Edinburgh.
2005 MSc in Information Technology becomes one of the first degrees to be offered on Dubai Campus of Heriot-Watt University.

Home Page	Academic Biography	Top of Page	Last updated Wednesday, 06-Feb-2013 10:19:37 GMT.
This page is hosted courtesy of the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

1821	School of Arts founded by Leonard Horner - One of the first mechanics institutes in the UK and the eighth oldest higher education institution in the UK.
1852	School renamed Watt Institution and School of Arts.
1869	Institution pioneers acceptance of female students - 20 years ahead of others.
1885	Institution renamed Heriot-Watt College in recognition of benefices received from George Heriot Trust.
1902	College becomes a Scottish Central Institution.
1966	University charter granted under principalship of Hugh Nisbet. Faculties: Science; Engineering; Economic and Social Studies. Heriot-Watt University offers first Computer Science degree in Scotland.
1967	Foundation of an independent Department of Computer Science (originally called the Computer Unit).
1968	Link with Edinburgh College of Art results in addition of Faculty of Environmental Studies.
1970	First cohort of Computer Scientists graduate.
1971	Building commences for new Riccarton campus.
1986	Link with Edinburgh College of Art extended to add Faculty of Art and Design.
1990	Link with Scottish College of Textiles results in addition of Faculty of Textiles.
1992	Last departments, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, move out from the City to Riccarton and are merged as Department of Computing and Electrical Engineering.
1998	Full merger with Scottish College of Textiles results in creation of Scottish Borders Campus of Heriot-Watt University.
2002	University loses its Faculties. Edinburgh College of Art continues to award Heriot-Watt validated degrees. Department of Computing and Electrical Engineering dis-established. Computer Science joins Mathematics and Actuarial Mathematics & Statistics in new School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences.
2004	Validation of Edinburgh College of Art degrees transferred to University of Edinburgh.
2005	MSc in Information Technology becomes one of the first degrees to be offered on Dubai Campus of Heriot-Watt University.