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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

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

1/11

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment.

Edinburgh Napier University vs The University of Edinburgh at a glance

Edinburgh Napier University and The University of Edinburgh both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Business Studies. Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh Napier University is about £9,290 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 20 and Edinburgh Napier University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £37,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Edinburgh Napier University is higher in 13 and The University of Edinburgh in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#35
#601
THE World
#29
#57
Guardian UK
#17
1964
Established
1583
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

The University of Edinburgh

84.3%
85.3%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

27.5%
41.6%

International

International student share

199
936

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
112

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

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%

Subjects

43 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

The University of Edinburgh

Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Music, Film Production & Cinematography, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Accounting, Creative Arts (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Creative Writing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemical Engineering, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Drama & Theatre, Nursing (General), Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Personal & Professional Development, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Edinburgh Napier University

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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
The University of Edinburgh
£29,600

Edinburgh Napier University is about £9,290 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540
The University of Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh yet.

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

The University of Edinburgh

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    84%Satisfaction74%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    99%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction82%

  • Civil Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    97%Satisfaction88%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 →

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Edinburgh Napier University vs The University of Edinburgh: common questions

Is Edinburgh Napier University or The University of Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh Napier University is about £9,290 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 The University of Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Management, Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation and 31 more.

Is Edinburgh Napier University or The University of Edinburgh better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £37,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Edinburgh Napier University and 74% at The University of Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Edinburgh Napier University or The University of Edinburgh offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at The University of Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 10 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Resource Management, Journalism, English Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Midwifery, Children's Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing and 2 more.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at Edinburgh Napier University?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 73 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, History, Mathematics, Physics, French, Philosophy and 65 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
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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses