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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
Buckinghamshire New University

High Wycombe · Guardian UK #96

H
Heriot-Watt University

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.

2/8

Buckinghamshire New

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Buckinghamshire New University is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Buckinghamshire New University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Buckinghamshire New University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Buckinghamshire New University offers 292 courses across 59 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,910 a year at Buckinghamshire New University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Buckinghamshire New University is about £4,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,550 a year at Buckinghamshire New University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Buckinghamshire New University is about £8,630 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 13 and Buckinghamshire New University in 1. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £22,000 three years after graduating from Buckinghamshire New University, against £31,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Buckinghamshire New University is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#325
—
THE World
#401
#96
Guardian UK
#41
1893
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.

Buckinghamshire New University

Heriot-Watt University

85.3%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£30,700
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

8.3%
31.2%

International

International student share

292
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.

Buckinghamshire New

37 countries · 8.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan11.4%
  • 🇷🇴Romania11.4%
  • 🌐Nepal8.8%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.9%
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.

Buckinghamshire New University

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Management, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Technology & Logistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Biotechnology, Computing & IT, General Engineering.

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

Buckinghamshire New University
£15,910
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

Buckinghamshire New University is about £4,170 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Buckinghamshire New University
£15,550
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

Buckinghamshire New University is about £8,630 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.

Buckinghamshire New University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    87%Satisfaction78%
  • Computer Science

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    98%Satisfaction81%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%SatisfactionNo data
  • Civil Engineering

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction84%
  • Marketing

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction82%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction89%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    97%Satisfaction74%
  • Psychology (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction81%
  • Software Engineering

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    71%Satisfaction73%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction83%
  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction74%
  • Management

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction74%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Buckinghamshire New 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

Buckinghamshire New University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is Buckinghamshire New University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,910 a year at Buckinghamshire New University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Buckinghamshire New University is about £4,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,550 a year at Buckinghamshire New University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Buckinghamshire New University is about £8,630 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 Buckinghamshire New University and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Software Engineering and 14 more.

Is Buckinghamshire New University or Heriot-Watt University better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Buckinghamshire New University, and £20,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Buckinghamshire New University and 78% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Buckinghamshire New University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Buckinghamshire New University lists 292 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Buckinghamshire New University teaches 33 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Music, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sociology & Criminology, Performing Arts (General), Dance, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 25 more.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 22 subject areas that Buckinghamshire New University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French and 14 more.

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