Skip to main content

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.

D
De Montfort University

Leicester · QS World #851

H
Heriot-Watt University

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.

3/10

De Montfort

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). De Montfort University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.

De Montfort University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

De Montfort University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Civil Engineering. De Montfort University offers 204 courses across 68 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,800 a year at De Montfort University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: De Montfort University is about £3,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,100 a year at De Montfort University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: De Montfort University is about £6,080 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 14 and De Montfort University in 2. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £21,000 three years after graduating from De Montfort University, against £33,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, De Montfort University is higher in 7 and Heriot-Watt University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#851
QS World
#325
#601
THE World
#401
#65
Guardian UK
#41
1870
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.

De Montfort University

Heriot-Watt University

85%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£28,500
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.2%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.8%
31.2%

International

International student share

204
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

8
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.

De Montfort

73 countries · 31.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India42.4%
  • 🇨🇳China14.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.4%
  • 🌐Nepal6.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.6%
VS

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

28 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.

De Montfort University

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Economics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Human Resource Management.

Only at De Montfort 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

De Montfort University
£16,800
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

De Montfort University is about £3,280 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

De Montfort University
£18,100
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

De Montfort University is about £6,080 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.

De Montfort University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    91%Satisfaction78%

  • Computer Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    76%Satisfaction81%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    75%Satisfaction74%

  • Accounting

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction74%

  • Building & Construction

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    76%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    63%Satisfaction96%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Marketing

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • Management

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction74%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

De Montfort University

Global Partnerships Scholarship

£8,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Health and Life Sciences Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship 2026/27

20%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

20%

Deadline: N/A

Travel bursary

£200

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

De Montfort University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is De Montfort University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,800 a year at De Montfort University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: De Montfort University is about £3,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,100 a year at De Montfort University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: De Montfort University is about £6,080 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 De Montfort University and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Building & Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing and 16 more.

Is De Montfort University or Heriot-Watt University better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from De Montfort University, and £20,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at De Montfort University and 78% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does De Montfort University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and De Montfort University lists 204 courses.

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

De Montfort University teaches 40 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, History, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Music, Media & Film Studies and 32 more.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 20 subject areas that De Montfort University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
De Montfort University204 courses · 8 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses