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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
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

H
Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh · QS World #325

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/9

Aston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Heriot-Watt University both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Mathematics and Building & Construction. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 15 and Heriot-Watt University in 2. The widest gap is in Accounting: £29,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £26,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#325
#401
THE World
#401
#39
Guardian UK
#41
1895
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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Heriot-Watt University

85.2%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
31.2%

International

International student share

169
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

28 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Software Engineering, Management, Biomedical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

Heriot-Watt University is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

About the same.

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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Heriot-Watt University

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Building & Construction

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction74%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    64%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction74%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction82%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University, so the two cost about the same. 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 Aston University, Birmingham and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Business Studies, Mathematics, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Accounting and 16 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Heriot-Watt University better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £31,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £30,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Aston University, Birmingham and 85% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 23 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, English Language, History, Information Systems & Data Science, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology and 15 more.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 20 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Ecology & Conservation, Planning & Housing, Applied Psychology and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses