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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.

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff · THE World #1001

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.

3/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

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). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion and Marketing. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 12 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £31,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 6 and Heriot-Watt University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#325
#1001
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#41
1865
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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Heriot-Watt University

84.5%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
31.2%

International

International student share

321
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Cardiff Metropolitan

43 countries · 16.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India53.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.9%
  • 🌐Nepal4.4%
VS

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

24 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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Aerospace Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan 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

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£16,000
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,580 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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction78%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction82%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction74%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    95%Satisfaction74%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    77%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Software Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    63%Satisfaction73%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    75%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

NHS Wales Bursary Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

Progression Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

Student Carers Bursary

See details

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,580 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 Cardiff Metropolitan University and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Economics, Management and 12 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Heriot-Watt University better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?

Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £24,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 89% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 28 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Social Work, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care and 20 more.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 24 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Physics and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses