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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
Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh · QS World #325

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment.

Heriot-Watt University vs Imperial College London at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Imperial College London both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Heriot-Watt University is about £4,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £39,900 at Imperial College London: Heriot-Watt University is about £15,720 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £64,000 from Imperial College London. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#2
#401
THE World
#8
#41
Guardian UK
#5
1821
Established
1907
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Heriot-Watt University

Imperial College London

82%
88.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£54,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
52.9%

International

International student share

214
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
90

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.

Heriot-Watt

72 countries · 31.2% international

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

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%

Subjects

26 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.

Heriot-Watt University

Imperial College London

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Studies, Biotechnology, Economics, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Imperial College 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

Heriot-Watt University
£20,080
Imperial College London
£24,600

Heriot-Watt University is about £4,520 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Imperial College London
£39,900

Heriot-Watt University is about £15,720 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.

Heriot-Watt University

Imperial College London

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£53,500
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£64,000
    81%Satisfaction97%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£46,000
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    89%Satisfaction76%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£45,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£65,000
    76%Satisfaction97%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£46,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Imperial College London: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Imperial College London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Heriot-Watt University is about £4,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £39,900 at Imperial College London: Heriot-Watt University is about £15,720 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 Heriot-Watt University and Imperial College London?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation and 14 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Imperial College London better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £53,500 from Imperial College London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 91% at Imperial College London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Imperial College London offer more courses?

Imperial College London lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Imperial College London?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 22 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Ancient Languages, Accounting, Psychology (General), Food Production & Technology, French, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Applied Psychology and 14 more.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Imperial College London teaches 16 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Materials Engineering and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

H
Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses