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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.

A
Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth · QS World #801

H
Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh · QS World #325

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 5 datapoints

We looked at 5 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/5

Aberystwyth

scored higher in 1 category

VS

4/5

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 4 of 5 categories where both have data (ranking, established, scholarship). Aberystwyth University is ahead on courses.

Aberystwyth University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Aberystwyth University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Ancient Languages. Aberystwyth University offers 414 courses across 66 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £640 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 12 and Aberystwyth University in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £22,500 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, against £32,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aberystwyth University is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 3.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#801
QS World
#325
—
THE World
#401
#62
Guardian UK
#41
1872
Established
1821
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Aberystwyth University

Heriot-Watt University

No data
82%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

No data
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
31.2%

International

International student share

414
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
42

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.

Aberystwyth

No published data on international students

    VS

    Heriot-Watt

    72 countries · 31.2% international

    • 🇮🇳India29.8%
    • 🇨🇳China17.1%
    • 🇫🇷France6.8%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria6%
    • 🇲🇾Malaysia5.2%

    Subjects

    25 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.

    Aberystwyth University

    Heriot-Watt University

    Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, French, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Applied Psychology, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General).

    Only at Aberystwyth University

    Only at Heriot-Watt 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

    Aberystwyth University
    £20,720
    Heriot-Watt University
    £20,080

    Heriot-Watt University is about £640 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Aberystwyth University
    No data
    Heriot-Watt University
    £24,180

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Aberystwyth University yet.

    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.

    Aberystwyth University

    Heriot-Watt University

    • Mathematics

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      97%Satisfaction85%

    • Computer Science

      £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
      84%Satisfaction81%

    • Ancient Languages

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
      85%Satisfaction92%

    • Physics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
      91%Satisfaction89%

    • Accounting

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
      98%Satisfaction74%

    • Psychology (General)

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
      91%Satisfaction81%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
      98%Satisfaction74%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
      89%Satisfaction83%

    • Ecology & Conservation

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
      93%Satisfaction88%

    • Economics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
      73%Satisfaction92%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
      81%Satisfaction89%

    • Marketing

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      95%Satisfaction82%

    Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Aberystwyth University

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Exam

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Regional Scholarship (PG)

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    David Game College Scholarship

    £2,500

    Deadline: N/A

    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

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Aberystwyth University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

    Is Aberystwyth University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £640 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 Aberystwyth University and Heriot-Watt University?

    Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Ancient Languages, Physics, Accounting, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Ecology & Conservation, Economics and 13 more.

    Is Aberystwyth University or Heriot-Watt University better for Mathematics?

    Mathematics graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, and £30,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Aberystwyth University and 85% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Aberystwyth University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

    Aberystwyth University lists 414 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

    What can you study at Aberystwyth University but not at Heriot-Watt University?

    Aberystwyth University teaches 41 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Welsh Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Creative Writing, Animal Science, Physical Geography & Climate and 33 more.

    What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Aberystwyth University?

    Heriot-Watt University teaches 23 subject areas that Aberystwyth University does not, including Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, Statistics and 15 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

    Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

    A
    Aberystwyth University414 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    H
    Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses