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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

H
Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh · QS World #325

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

2/3

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 2 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, scholarship). Birmingham City University is ahead on courses.

Birmingham City University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Birmingham City University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Building & Construction. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Birmingham City University is about £1,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 13 and Birmingham City University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £31,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#325
—
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#41
N/A
Established
1821
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

Heriot-Watt University

No data
82%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
31.2%

International

International student share

284
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Heriot-Watt

    72 countries · 31.2% international

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

    Subjects

    27 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.

    Birmingham City University

    Heriot-Watt University

    Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Economics, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Human Resource Management, Astronomy & Astrophysics.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    Heriot-Watt University
    £20,080

    Birmingham City University is about £1,510 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    Heriot-Watt University
    £24,180

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City University yet.

    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.

    Birmingham City University

    Heriot-Watt University

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
      92%Satisfaction78%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      78%Satisfaction81%

    • Building & Construction

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
      84%Satisfaction83%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      92%Satisfaction84%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
      80%Satisfaction74%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      92%Satisfaction82%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
      74%Satisfaction74%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      83%SatisfactionNo data

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
      79%Satisfaction81%

    • Software Engineering

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
      86%Satisfaction73%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      81%Satisfaction83%

    • Mechanical Engineering

      £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      86%Satisfaction83%

    Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    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

    Birmingham City University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Birmingham City University is about £1,510 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 Birmingham City University and Heriot-Watt University?

    Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Psychology (General) and 15 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or Heriot-Watt University better for Design & Fashion?

    Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £20,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Birmingham City University and 78% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

    Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 41 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Nursing (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Law, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Health & Social Care, Fine Art and 33 more.

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

    Heriot-Watt University teaches 21 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation and 13 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    H
    Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses