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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 University

Cardiff · QS World #179

H
Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh · QS World #325

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Cardiff University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Civil Engineering and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £10,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,770 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 14 and Heriot-Watt University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £27,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £30,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 9 and Cardiff University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#325
#201
THE World
#401
#34
Guardian UK
#41
1883
Established
1821
Yes
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 University

Heriot-Watt University

86.3%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
31.2%

International

International student share

362
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.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

37 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 University

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Business Studies, General Engineering, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Economics, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Statistics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Toxicology, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Asian Languages & Studies, Biotechnology, Education Studies.

Only at Cardiff 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 University
£30,700
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

Heriot-Watt University is about £10,620 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

Heriot-Watt University is about £1,770 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 University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    70%Satisfaction81%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    79%Satisfaction74%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    81%Satisfaction74%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction74%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff 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

Cardiff University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £10,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,770 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 University and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and 25 more.

Is Cardiff University or Heriot-Watt University better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £30,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Cardiff University and 85% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 49 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Welsh Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General) and 41 more.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 11 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, French, Ecology & Conservation, Aerospace Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, British Sign Language & Scots and 3 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses