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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.

G
Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow · QS World #1001

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

Glasgow Caledonian

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). Glasgow Caledonian University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Glasgow Caledonian University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Glasgow Caledonian University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Building & Construction and Business & Management (General). Glasgow Caledonian University offers 130 courses across 48 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £4,380 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,230 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 11 and Glasgow Caledonian University in 2. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £24,000 three years after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, against £31,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Glasgow Caledonian University is higher in 6 and Heriot-Watt University in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#325
#801
THE World
#401
#88
Guardian UK
#41
1993
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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

Heriot-Watt University

87.1%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£33,200
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.9%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.7%
31.2%

International

International student share

130
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Glasgow Caledonian

45 countries · 22.7% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan39.5%
  • 🇮🇳India27.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria19.8%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada1.6%
VS

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

23 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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

Heriot-Watt University

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Economics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Applied Psychology, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biological Sciences (General).

Only at Glasgow Caledonian 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

Glasgow Caledonian University
£15,700
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

Glasgow Caledonian University is about £4,380 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Glasgow Caledonian University
£17,950
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,230 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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Building & Construction

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    67%Satisfaction81%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    96%Satisfaction78%

  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    97%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    No dataSatisfaction74%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Accounting

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction74%

  • Management

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction74%

  • Marketing

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • Software Engineering

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    81%Satisfaction73%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Glasgow Caledonian University

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

Glasgow Caledonian University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is Glasgow Caledonian University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £4,380 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,230 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 Glasgow Caledonian University and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Mathematics, Building & Construction, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Management and 11 more.

Is Glasgow Caledonian University or Heriot-Watt University better for Building & Construction?

Building & Construction graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, and £33,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Glasgow Caledonian University and 83% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Glasgow Caledonian University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow Caledonian University lists 130 courses.

What can you study at Glasgow Caledonian University but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Glasgow Caledonian University teaches 25 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Specialities, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Media & Film Studies, Medical Imaging, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Adult Nursing and 17 more.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Glasgow Caledonian University?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 25 subject areas that Glasgow Caledonian University does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

G
Glasgow Caledonian University130 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses