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.
Bangor · QS World #567
Edinburgh · QS World #325
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 10 datapoints
We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/10
Bangor
scored higher in 2 categories
8/10
Heriot-Watt
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Bangor University is ahead on satisfaction, courses.
Bangor University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance
Bangor University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 13 subject areas, the largest being Ancient Languages, Zoology & Animal Biology and Computer Science. Bangor University offers 329 courses across 52 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Bangor University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Bangor University is about £2,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,000 a year at Bangor University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Bangor University is about £5,180 a year cheaper.
Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 9 and Bangor University in 2. The widest gap is in Economics: £20,000 three years after graduating from Bangor University, against £32,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bangor University is higher in 10 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.
Bangor 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.
Bangor
60 countries · 21.5% international
- 🇮🇳India18.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.1%
- 🇨🇳China12.6%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
- 🌐Nepal6.3%
Heriot-Watt
72 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇮🇳India29.8%
- 🇨🇳China17.1%
- 🇫🇷France6.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia5.2%
Subjects
13 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.
Bangor University
Heriot-Watt University
Ancient Languages
10 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Zoology & Animal Biology
18 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £25,480 (PG)
Computer Science
6 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Design & Fashion
3 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Accounting
Business Studies
Ecology & Conservation
Psychology (General)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Marketing
Economics
Only at Bangor 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
- Bangor University
- £18,000
- Heriot-Watt University
- £20,080
Bangor University is about £2,080 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Bangor University
- £19,000
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
Bangor University is about £5,180 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.
Bangor University
Heriot-Watt University
Ancient Languages
£19,500Salary (3 years)£24,50095%Satisfaction92%Computer Science
£32,000Salary (3 years)£30,50080%Satisfaction81%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£29,000Salary (3 years)£30,50097%Satisfaction83%Design & Fashion
£23,500Salary (3 years)£20,000100%Satisfaction78%Finance & Actuarial Science
£22,500Salary (3 years)£31,00083%Satisfaction74%Accounting
£22,500Salary (3 years)£26,00083%Satisfaction74%Ecology & Conservation
£23,500Salary (3 years)£24,50089%Satisfaction88%Psychology (General)
£21,000Salary (3 years)£22,50085%Satisfaction81%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,500Salary (3 years)£24,50093%Satisfaction89%Marketing
£22,500Salary (3 years)£26,50083%Satisfaction82%Economics
£20,000Salary (3 years)£32,00098%Satisfaction92%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBangor University
Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF)
See details
Deadline: N/A
Chevening Scholarships
See details
Deadline: N/A
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Pantyfedwen Student Scholarships
See details
Deadline: N/A
Refugee Scholarship
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
Bangor University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions
Is Bangor University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Bangor University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Bangor University is about £2,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,000 a year at Bangor University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Bangor University is about £5,180 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 Bangor University and Heriot-Watt University?
Both universities teach 13 subject areas: Ancient Languages, Zoology & Animal Biology, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Business Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing and 1 more.
Is Bangor University or Heriot-Watt University better for Ancient Languages?
Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Bangor University, and £24,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Bangor University and 92% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Bangor University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?
Bangor University lists 329 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.
What can you study at Bangor University but not at Heriot-Watt University?
Bangor University teaches 39 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Teacher Training, Welsh Studies, Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, History and 31 more.
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Bangor University?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 35 subject areas that Bangor University does not, including Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Management and 27 more.
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