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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.

H
Harper Adams University

Newport · QS World #1401

H
Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh · QS World #325

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.

2/8

Harper Adams

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Harper Adams University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Harper Adams University vs Heriot-Watt University at a glance

Harper Adams University and Heriot-Watt University both teach 11 subject areas, the largest being Ecology & Conservation, Business & Management (General) and Mechanical Engineering. Harper Adams University offers 103 courses across 21 subject areas; Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,500 a year at Harper Adams University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Harper Adams University is about £3,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Harper Adams University is higher in 3 and Heriot-Watt University in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £29,500 three years after graduating from Harper Adams University, against £26,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Harper Adams University is higher in 2 and Heriot-Watt University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#1401
QS World
#325
—
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#41
1901
Established
1821
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Harper Adams University

Heriot-Watt University

85.7%
82%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

92.9%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
31.2%

International

International student share

103
214

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

4
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.

Harper Adams

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland37%
  • 🌐Zimbabwe7.4%
  • 🇩🇰Denmark3.7%
  • 🇫🇷France3.7%
  • 🇬🇷Greece3.7%
VS

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

11 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.

Harper Adams University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Ecology & Conservation

    10 courses

    Typical fee £16,500 (UG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

  • Business & Management (General)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £16,500 (UG)

    7 courses

    Typical fee £20,080 (UG)

  • Mechanical Engineering

    3 courses

    Typical fee £16,500 (UG)

    6 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

  • Management

    2 courses

    Typical fee £16,500 (UG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £20,640 (UG)

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    5 courses

    Typical fee £16,500 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £25,480 (PG)

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    2 courses

    Typical fee £16,500 (UG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £28,060 (PG)

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    1 course

    Fee not available

    3 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

  • Economics

    1 course

    Typical fee £16,500 (UG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £21,190 (UG)

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    1 course

    Fee not available

    2 courses

    Typical fee £21,190 (UG)

  • Technology & Logistics

    1 course

    Fee not available

    2 courses

    Typical fee £28,060 (PG)

  • Food & Beverage Studies

    1 course

    Typical fee £16,500 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

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

Harper Adams University
£16,500
Heriot-Watt University
£20,080

Harper Adams University is about £3,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Harper Adams University
No data
Heriot-Watt University
£24,180

We do not have reliable international fee data for Harper Adams University 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.

Harper Adams University

Heriot-Watt University

  • Ecology & Conservation

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    75%Satisfaction88%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%SatisfactionNo data
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction83%
  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction74%
  • Food & Beverage Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction98%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Harper Adams University

The Cambidge Foundation CIO Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£6,000

Deadline: Aug 2026

Wakeham Petary Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£5,000

Deadline: Aug 2026

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship 2026-27

£3,500

Deadline: Aug 2026

Wakeham Petary Open Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£2,500

Deadline: Aug 2026

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

Harper Adams University vs Heriot-Watt University: common questions

Is Harper Adams University or Heriot-Watt University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,500 a year at Harper Adams University and £20,080 at Heriot-Watt University: Harper Adams University is about £3,580 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 Harper Adams University and Heriot-Watt University?

Both universities teach 11 subject areas: Ecology & Conservation, Business & Management (General), Mechanical Engineering, Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Economics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Technology & Logistics and Food & Beverage Studies.

Is Harper Adams University or Heriot-Watt University better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Harper Adams University, and £26,500 from Heriot-Watt University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Harper Adams University or Heriot-Watt University offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Harper Adams University lists 103 courses.

What can you study at Harper Adams University but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Harper Adams University teaches 10 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Food Science, Politics & International Relations, Business Information Systems, Environmental Sciences and 2 more.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Harper Adams University?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 37 subject areas that Harper Adams University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science and 29 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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