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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.

E
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh · QS World #801

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.

2/10

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Edinburgh Napier University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Design & Fashion and Business & Management (General). Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,640 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 14 and Edinburgh Napier University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £36,000 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £26,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Edinburgh Napier University is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#325
#601
THE World
#401
#57
Guardian UK
#41
1964
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.

Edinburgh Napier University

Heriot-Watt University

84.3%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

27.5%
31.2%

International

International student share

199
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
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.

Edinburgh Napier

70 countries · 27.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India30.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.3%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.2%
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.

Edinburgh Napier University

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, Technology & Logistics, Biological Sciences (General).

Only at Edinburgh Napier 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

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,310
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

About the same.

Postgraduate

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,640 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.

Edinburgh Napier University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Management

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    76%Satisfaction74%

  • Civil Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Building & Construction

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    71%Satisfaction83%

  • Marketing

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction74%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    79%Satisfaction74%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction93%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Edinburgh Napier University

OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

WSP and Dodyk Scholarship

£16,875

Deadline: N/A

Hong Kong Scholarship Trust

£16,000

Deadline: Apr 2027

Carnegie Masters Grant

£10,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab

100%

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

Edinburgh Napier University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is Edinburgh Napier University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,640 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 Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Management, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Marketing, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemical Engineering and 14 more.

Is Edinburgh Napier University or Heriot-Watt University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £30,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Edinburgh Napier University and 81% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Edinburgh Napier University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.

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

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 27 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Law, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science and 19 more.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 22 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Economics and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

E
Edinburgh Napier University199 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses