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.
Poole
Edinburgh · QS World #325
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
1/7
Arts University Bournemouth
scored higher in 1 category
6/7
Heriot-Watt
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Arts University Bournemouth is ahead on satisfaction.
Arts University Bournemouth vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance
Arts University Bournemouth and Heriot-Watt University both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Building & Construction and Business & Management (General). Arts University Bournemouth offers 78 courses across 13 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Arts University Bournemouth is about £4,200 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Arts University Bournemouth is higher in 1 and Heriot-Watt University in 1. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,500 three years after graduating from Arts University Bournemouth, against £26,500 from Heriot-Watt University. In Design & Fashion, the one shared subject where both publish a student satisfaction score, Arts University Bournemouth is higher.
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.
Arts University Bournemouth
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.
Arts University Bournemouth
35 countries · 13.5% international
- 🇨🇳China17.8%
- 🇮🇳India12.9%
- 🇺🇸United States8.9%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
- 🌐Iceland3%
Heriot-Watt
72 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇮🇳India29.8%
- 🇨🇳China17.1%
- 🇫🇷France6.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia5.2%
Subjects
5 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.
Arts University Bournemouth
Heriot-Watt University
Design & Fashion
25 coursesTypical fee £19,950 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Building & Construction
1 courseFee not available
10 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Architecture
Games Design & Computer Animation
Only at Arts University Bournemouth
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
- Arts University Bournemouth
- £19,950
- Heriot-Watt University
- £20,080
About the same.
Postgraduate
- Arts University Bournemouth
- £19,980
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
Arts University Bournemouth is about £4,200 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.
Arts University Bournemouth
Heriot-Watt University
Design & Fashion
£22,500Salary (3 years)£20,00087%Satisfaction78%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£26,50084%SatisfactionNo data
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveArts University Bournemouth
British National Residing Overseas
See details
Deadline: N/A
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
Arts University Bournemouth vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions
Is Arts University Bournemouth or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Arts University Bournemouth is about £4,200 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 Arts University Bournemouth and Heriot-Watt University?
Both universities teach 5 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Business & Management (General), Architecture and Games Design & Computer Animation.
Is Arts University Bournemouth or Heriot-Watt University better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Arts University Bournemouth, and £20,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Arts University Bournemouth and 78% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Arts University Bournemouth or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?
Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Arts University Bournemouth lists 78 courses.
What can you study at Arts University Bournemouth but not at Heriot-Watt University?
Arts University Bournemouth teaches 8 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Fine Art, Creative Arts (General), Performing Arts (General) and Personal & Professional Development.
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Arts University Bournemouth?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 43 subject areas that Arts University Bournemouth does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Chemistry and 35 more.
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