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.
Bath · Guardian UK #104
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.
3/8
Bath Spa
scored higher in 3 categories
5/8
Heriot-Watt
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Bath Spa University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.
Bath Spa University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance
Bath Spa University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Bath Spa University is about £1,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Bath Spa University is about £5,420 a year cheaper.
Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 5 and Bath Spa University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £32,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bath Spa University is higher in 7 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.
Bath Spa 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.
Bath Spa
40 countries · 2.7% international
- 🇷🇴Romania25.3%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇨🇳China9.5%
- 🌐Bulgaria5.7%
- 🇺🇸United States3.8%
Heriot-Watt
72 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇮🇳India29.8%
- 🇨🇳China17.1%
- 🇫🇷France6.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia5.2%
Subjects
15 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.
Bath Spa University
Heriot-Watt University
Design & Fashion
21 coursesTypical fee £19,330 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Computer Science
10 coursesTypical fee £18,760 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Business Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £23,020 (PG)
Education Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £18,330 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £29,990 (PG)
Marketing
Accounting
Psychology (General)
Applied Psychology
Software Engineering
Architecture
Ecology & Conservation
Economics
Games Design & Computer Animation
Human Resource Management
Only at Bath Spa 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
- Bath Spa University
- £18,330
- Heriot-Watt University
- £20,080
Bath Spa University is about £1,750 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Bath Spa University
- £18,760
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
Bath Spa University is about £5,420 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.
Bath Spa University
Heriot-Watt University
Design & Fashion
£21,000Salary (3 years)£20,00084%Satisfaction78%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£30,50093%Satisfaction81%Business & Management (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£26,50086%SatisfactionNo dataMarketing
£24,000Salary (3 years)£26,50090%Satisfaction82%Accounting
£24,500Salary (3 years)£26,00084%Satisfaction74%Psychology (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£22,50084%Satisfaction81%Software Engineering
No dataSalary (3 years)£31,50083%Satisfaction73%Ecology & Conservation
£24,500Salary (3 years)£24,50090%Satisfaction88%Economics
£21,000Salary (3 years)£32,00082%Satisfaction92%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBath Spa University
Explore It! Launch It! Grow It!
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
International Recruitment Office Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
MyWorld Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Global Horizons Award
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship
£2,000
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
Bath Spa University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions
Is Bath Spa University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Bath Spa University is about £1,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Bath Spa University is about £5,420 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 Bath Spa University and Heriot-Watt University?
Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Education Studies, Marketing, Accounting, Psychology (General), Applied Psychology, Software Engineering, Architecture, Ecology & Conservation and 3 more.
Is Bath Spa University or Heriot-Watt University better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £20,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Bath Spa University and 78% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Bath Spa University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?
Bath Spa University lists 249 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.
What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at Heriot-Watt University?
Bath Spa University teaches 30 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, English Literature, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies and 22 more.
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Bath Spa University?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 33 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 25 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.