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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
Bournemouth University

Poole · QS World #801

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.

2/9

Bournemouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Bournemouth University is ahead on employment, courses.

Bournemouth University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Bournemouth University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Marketing. Bournemouth University offers 225 courses across 59 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Bournemouth University is about £4,490 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 7 and Bournemouth University in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Design & Fashion: £27,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, against £20,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 7 and Bournemouth University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#325
#401
THE World
#401
#59
Guardian UK
#41
1992
Established
1821
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Bournemouth University

Heriot-Watt University

80.8%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.4%
31.2%

International

International student share

225
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.

Bournemouth

73 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India27.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.8%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia6.5%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey5.6%
VS

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

21 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.

Bournemouth University

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT.

Only at Bournemouth 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

Bournemouth University
£20,690
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

Heriot-Watt University is about £610 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University
£19,690
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

Bournemouth University is about £4,490 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.

Bournemouth University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction81%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    61%SatisfactionNo data

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction82%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

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

  • Accounting

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction74%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    77%Satisfaction81%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Software Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    78%Satisfaction73%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    78%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bournemouth University

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

Bournemouth University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is Bournemouth University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Bournemouth University is about £4,490 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 Bournemouth University and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Software Engineering and 9 more.

Is Bournemouth University or Heriot-Watt University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, and £30,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 73% at Bournemouth University and 81% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bournemouth University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Bournemouth University lists 225 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Bournemouth University teaches 38 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Computing, Media & Film Studies, Journalism, Sociology & Criminology, Business Information Systems and 30 more.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 27 subject areas that Bournemouth University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bournemouth University225 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses