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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.

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

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.

3/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, courses.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Heriot-Watt University both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Ancient Languages, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,330 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 7 and Heriot-Watt University in 3. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £32,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 6 and Birkbeck, University of London in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#325
#301
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#41
1823
Established
1821
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

Heriot-Watt University

85.1%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
31.2%

International

International student share

361
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
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.

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

  • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.6%
  • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
  • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%
VS

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

26 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, French, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Food & Beverage Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

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

Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,330 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

Heriot-Watt University

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    76%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    72%Satisfaction81%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    75%Satisfaction74%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    78%Satisfaction74%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    75%Satisfaction82%

  • Food & Beverage Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction98%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Birkbeck, University of London

Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

£18,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Cyril Taylor Scholarships

£15,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Breakspear scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

MA History of Art scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

£5,000

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

Birkbeck, University of London vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,330 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 Birkbeck, University of London and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Accounting, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Chemistry and 14 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Heriot-Watt University better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £24,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Birkbeck, University of London and 92% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 43 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Law, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, History, Physical Geography & Climate, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 35 more.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 22 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Food Production & Technology, Ecology & Conservation and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses