Compare any two UK universities
Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.
Dundee · Guardian UK #55
Edinburgh · QS World #325
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
1/8
Abertay
scored higher in 1 category
7/8
Heriot-Watt
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Abertay University is ahead on satisfaction.
Abertay University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance
Abertay University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Abertay University is about £3,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Abertay University is about £5,230 a year cheaper.
Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 8 and Abertay University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £20,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £26,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Abertay University is higher in 5 and Heriot-Watt University in 1.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Abertay University
Heriot-Watt University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
Scholarships
Number of scholarships
International Community
Where do international students come from?
Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.
Abertay
29 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇫🇷France28%
- 🇮🇳India16.1%
- 🇺🇸United States8.6%
- 🇨🇳China3.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.2%
Heriot-Watt
72 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇮🇳India29.8%
- 🇨🇳China17.1%
- 🇫🇷France6.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia5.2%
Subjects
16 subjects you can study at both
Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.
Abertay University
Heriot-Watt University
Civil Engineering
5 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Computer Science
3 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Accounting
Building & Construction
1 courseTypical fee £18,950 (PG)
10 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Marketing
Games Design & Computer Animation
Psychology (General)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Management
Statistics
Applied Psychology
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Software Engineering
Also taught at both: Human Resource Management.
Only at Abertay University
Fees
What it costs international students
The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.
Undergraduate
- Abertay University
- £16,950
- Heriot-Watt University
- £20,080
Abertay University is about £3,130 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Abertay University
- £18,950
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
Abertay University is about £5,230 a year cheaper.
Outcomes
Graduate outcomes by subject
Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.
Abertay University
Heriot-Watt University
Civil Engineering
£27,000Salary (3 years)£30,50093%Satisfaction84%Computer Science
£30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500No dataSatisfaction81%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£26,50064%SatisfactionNo dataAccounting
£20,500Salary (3 years)£26,00073%Satisfaction74%Marketing
£21,500Salary (3 years)£26,50083%Satisfaction82%Psychology (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£22,50086%Satisfaction81%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£24,50092%Satisfaction89%Management
£22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500No dataSatisfaction74%Software Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£31,50084%Satisfaction73%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAbertay University
View all scholarships →Heriot-Watt University
International Merit Scholarship
£500,000
Deadline: N/A
MBA 20th Anniversary Scholarship
£64,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
£21,800
Deadline: N/A
Future Planner Scholarship
100%
Deadline: Jun 2026
The Dunsmore Scholarship for MScR Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
100%
Deadline: May 2026
FAQ
Abertay University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions
Is Abertay University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Abertay University is about £3,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Abertay University is about £5,230 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.
What subjects can you study at both Abertay University and Heriot-Watt University?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Accounting, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Management, Statistics and 4 more.
Is Abertay University or Heriot-Watt University better for Civil Engineering?
Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £30,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Abertay University and 84% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Abertay University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?
Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.
What can you study at Abertay University but not at Heriot-Watt University?
Abertay University teaches 15 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Biomedical Sciences, Food Science, Human Geography & Environment, Sociology & Criminology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Politics & International Relations and 7 more.
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Abertay University?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 32 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics and 24 more.
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