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.
London · QS World #701
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.
4/10
Goldsmiths
scored higher in 4 categories
6/10
Heriot-Watt
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, graduate salary, scholarship). Goldsmiths, University of London is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international, courses.
Goldsmiths, University of London vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance
Goldsmiths, University of London and Heriot-Watt University both teach 14 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Psychology (General) and Mathematics. Goldsmiths, University of London offers 291 courses across 39 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £2,180 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Goldsmiths, University of London is higher in 3 and Heriot-Watt University in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £25,000 three years after graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, against £32,000 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 4 and Goldsmiths, University of London in 1, with 1 about level.
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.
Goldsmiths, University of London
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.
Goldsmiths
59 countries · 40.3% international
- 🇨🇳China54.1%
- 🇺🇸United States7.4%
- 🌐Korea (South)4.7%
- 🇮🇳India4.4%
- 🌐Taiwan2.2%
Heriot-Watt
72 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇮🇳India29.8%
- 🇨🇳China17.1%
- 🇫🇷France6.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia5.2%
Subjects
14 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.
Goldsmiths, University of London
Heriot-Watt University
Computer Science
22 coursesTypical fee £23,000 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
Psychology (General)
16 coursesTypical fee £23,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £21,190 (UG)
Mathematics
1 courseTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
18 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Ancient Languages
1 courseTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Design & Fashion
7 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
Management
Economics
10 coursesTypical fee £22,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £21,190 (UG)
Marketing
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Business & Management (General)
Education Studies
Applied Psychology
Games Design & Computer Animation
Architecture
Only at Goldsmiths, University of London
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
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- £22,000
- Heriot-Watt University
- £20,080
Heriot-Watt University is about £1,920 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- £22,000
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
Goldsmiths, University of London is about £2,180 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.
Goldsmiths, University of London
Heriot-Watt University
Computer Science
£31,500Salary (3 years)£30,50081%Satisfaction81%Psychology (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)£22,50079%Satisfaction81%Design & Fashion
£26,000Salary (3 years)£20,00094%Satisfaction78%Management
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,50073%Satisfaction74%Economics
£25,000Salary (3 years)£32,00087%Satisfaction92%Marketing
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,50071%Satisfaction82%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGoldsmiths, University of London
ESRC/SENSS Doctoral Studentships
£22,780
Deadline: N/A
Migrant Futures Doctoral Studentships
£22,780
Deadline: N/A
Academics at Risk Scholarship
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Rob Stringer Scholarship
£12,000
Deadline: N/A
Generation Delta Studentships
100%
Deadline: N/A
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
Goldsmiths, University of London vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions
Is Goldsmiths, University of London or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £24,180 at Heriot-Watt University: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £2,180 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 Goldsmiths, University of London and Heriot-Watt University?
Both universities teach 14 subject areas: Computer Science, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, Management, Economics, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Applied Psychology and 2 more.
Is Goldsmiths, University of London or Heriot-Watt University better for Computer Science?
Computer Science graduates earn a median £31,500 three years after graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, and £30,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Goldsmiths, University of London and 81% at Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Goldsmiths, University of London or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?
Goldsmiths, University of London lists 291 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.
What can you study at Goldsmiths, University of London but not at Heriot-Watt University?
Goldsmiths, University of London teaches 25 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Work, Politics & International Relations, Anthropology, History of Art & Design, Law and 17 more.
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Goldsmiths, University of London?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 34 subject areas that Goldsmiths, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 26 more.
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