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Coventry · QS World #581
Edinburgh · QS World #325
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 10 datapoints
We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/10
Coventry
scored higher in 4 categories
6/10
Heriot-Watt
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). Coventry University is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international, courses.
Coventry University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance
Coventry University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Design & Fashion and Business & Management (General). Coventry University offers 468 courses across 81 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Coventry University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Coventry University is about £2,480 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at Coventry University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Coventry University is about £4,680 a year cheaper.
Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 16 and Coventry University in 1, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £25,000 three years after graduating from Coventry University, against £31,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Coventry University is higher in 15 and Heriot-Watt University in 4.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Coventry University
Heriot-Watt University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Coventry
81 countries · 45.1% international
- 🇮🇳India55.6%
- 🌐Nepal12.6%
- 🇨🇳China6.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria5.6%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.5%
Heriot-Watt
72 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇮🇳India29.8%
- 🇨🇳China17.1%
- 🇫🇷France6.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia5.2%
Subjects
35 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.
Coventry University
Heriot-Watt University
Finance & Actuarial Science
22 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Design & Fashion
19 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
18 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Mathematics
7 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Civil Engineering
12 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Computer Science
11 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Marketing
17 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Accounting
12 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Building & Construction
9 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Business Studies
15 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £23,020 (PG)
Management
14 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £20,640 (UG)
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
16 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £28,060 (PG)
Mechanical Engineering
12 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Applied Psychology
12 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £22,680 (PG)
Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Software Engineering, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Economics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biotechnology, Statistics, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Human Resource Management, Food & Beverage Studies.
Only at Coventry 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
- Coventry University
- £17,600
- Heriot-Watt University
- £20,080
Coventry University is about £2,480 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Coventry University
- £19,500
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
Coventry University is about £4,680 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.
Coventry University
Heriot-Watt University
Finance & Actuarial Science
£26,000Salary (3 years)£31,00083%Satisfaction74%Design & Fashion
£22,000Salary (3 years)£20,00082%Satisfaction78%Business & Management (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)£26,50082%SatisfactionNo dataMathematics
£25,500Salary (3 years)£30,50094%Satisfaction85%Civil Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£30,50088%Satisfaction84%Computer Science
£28,500Salary (3 years)£30,50085%Satisfaction81%Marketing
£26,000Salary (3 years)£26,50089%Satisfaction82%Accounting
£25,000Salary (3 years)£26,00088%Satisfaction74%Building & Construction
£30,000Salary (3 years)£33,50073%Satisfaction83%Management
£24,000Salary (3 years)£27,50083%Satisfaction74%Mechanical Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£30,50091%Satisfaction83%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£30,50086%Satisfaction83%
Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCoventry University
AZIZ Foundation Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
EU Support Bursary
100%
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor Undergraduate Scholarship 2025/26
£4,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor Postgraduate Scholarship 2025/26
£2,500
Deadline: N/A
Coventry University Group Scholarship
£2,000
Deadline: N/A
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
FAQ
Coventry University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions
Is Coventry University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Coventry University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Coventry University is about £2,480 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at Coventry University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Coventry University is about £4,680 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 Coventry University and Heriot-Watt University?
Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Marketing, Accounting, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 23 more.
Is Coventry University or Heriot-Watt University better for Finance & Actuarial Science?
Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Coventry University, and £31,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Coventry University and 74% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Coventry University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?
Coventry University lists 468 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.
What can you study at Coventry University but not at Heriot-Watt University?
Coventry University teaches 46 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Film Production & Cinematography and 38 more.
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Coventry University?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 13 subject areas that Coventry University does not, including Ancient Languages, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Ecology & Conservation, Planning & Housing, German & Scandinavian Studies, Asian Languages & Studies and 5 more.
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