and the Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Student Association. In 2018 the Student Union won the University Student Union of the Year and also Officer Team of the Year at the NUS Scotland Awards 2018.
=== Sports Union ===
The Sports Union is responsible for the university's 35 sports clubs. and runs annual social events for students involved in sport. As with the Students' Association, the organisation is headed by elected Heriot-Watt students.
== Controversies ==
=== Spying on students for weapons manufacturers ===
In July 2025, Liberty Investigates and The Herald, using Freedom of Information laws, revealed collusion between Heriot-Watt University and two weapons manufacturers, against their own students, in January 2025, to:
"Monitor the university chat groups and notice boards in the lead up to the event in case any groups are planning to disrupt the event, as we have had this occasionally at university events in the past."
"Monitor the campus CCTV prior to and during the event in case any groups are seen gathering that may be intent on a protest or simply disrupting the event."
"Prior to and during the event carry out enhanced patrols around the venue entrance and perhaps enter the venue occasionally to show a presence and act as a deterent."
== Notable alumni ==
=== Arts ===
Theodore S. Clerk, (1909–1965), city planner, first Ghanaian architect and developer of the port city of Tema
Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith (born 1927), conservation architect and head of ECA's Department of Architecture 1978–1988
Sir Nicholas Grimshaw (born 1939), architect of the Eden Project, president of the Royal Academy since 2004
Sir William Kininmonth (1904–1988), architect of Adam House and Pollock Halls, both in Edinburgh
Lynn Kinnear (1960-2024), landscape architect
Kygo, Norwegian DJ and record producer (did not graduate)
Sir Robert Matthew (1906–1975), designed the Royal Commonwealth Pool and founded RMJM
John McAslan, architect
Taqi Nazeer, Scottish born actor
John Notman (1810–1865), architect and landscape architect
Patrick …
