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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

U
University of the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/8

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Edinburgh Napier University leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Edinburgh Napier University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,260 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Edinburgh Napier University is higher in 11 and University of the West of Scotland in 0, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Design & Fashion: £22,000 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 6 and Edinburgh Napier University in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
—
#601
THE World
#601
#57
Guardian UK
#115
1964
Established
1897
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

University of the West of Scotland

84.3%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

27.5%
30.3%

International

International student share

199
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
0

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

27 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

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Music, Social Sciences (General), Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics.

Only at Edinburgh Napier University

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £4,810 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £4,260 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

University of the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%Satisfaction75%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%SatisfactionNo data

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction80%

  • Journalism

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    79%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,260 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 University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Teacher Training, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computing & IT, Law, Applied Psychology and 15 more.

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at Edinburgh Napier University and 75% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Edinburgh Napier University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 26 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Management, Film Production & Cinematography, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre and 18 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Edinburgh Napier University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 22 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, General Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Social Work, Aerospace Engineering 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
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses