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.
Glasgow
Edinburgh · QS World #325
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
1/7
Glasgow School of Art
scored higher in 1 category
6/7
Heriot-Watt
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Glasgow School of Art is ahead on international.
Glasgow School of Art vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance
Glasgow School of Art and Heriot-Watt University both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Architecture and Computing & IT. Glasgow School of Art offers 40 courses across 12 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £4,270 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,720 a year cheaper.
In Design & Fashion, the one shared subject where both publish a graduate salary, Glasgow School of Art is higher. In Design & Fashion, the one shared subject where both publish a student satisfaction score, Glasgow School of Art is higher.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Glasgow School of Art
Heriot-Watt University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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 School of Art
33 countries · 36.6% international
- 🇨🇳China64.4%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇮🇳India3.8%
- 🌐Korea (South)2.9%
- 🇫🇷France1.4%
Heriot-Watt
72 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇮🇳India29.8%
- 🇨🇳China17.1%
- 🇫🇷France6.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia5.2%
Subjects
5 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 School of Art
Heriot-Watt University
Design & Fashion
15 coursesTypical fee £24,350 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Architecture
Computing & IT
General Engineering
Games Design & Computer Animation
Only at Glasgow School of Art
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 School of Art
- £24,350
- Heriot-Watt University
- £20,080
Heriot-Watt University is about £4,270 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Glasgow School of Art
- £25,900
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
Heriot-Watt University is about £1,720 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 School of Art
Heriot-Watt University
Design & Fashion
£21,500Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction78%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGlasgow School of Art
GSA Financial Support Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
GSA International Merit Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
International Foundation Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
Mackintosh School of Architecture Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
School of Design Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
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
FAQ
Glasgow School of Art vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions
Is Glasgow School of Art or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £4,270 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,720 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 School of Art and Heriot-Watt University?
Both universities teach 5 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Architecture, Computing & IT, General Engineering and Games Design & Computer Animation.
Is Glasgow School of Art or Heriot-Watt University better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, and £20,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Glasgow School of Art and 78% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Glasgow School of Art or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?
Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow School of Art lists 40 courses.
What can you study at Glasgow School of Art but not at Heriot-Watt University?
Glasgow School of Art teaches 7 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Fine Art, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Computing, Crafts & Applied Arts, History of Art & Design, Anatomy & Pathology and Creative Arts (General).
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Glasgow School of Art?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 43 subject areas that Glasgow School of Art does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting and 35 more.
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