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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

K
Keele University

Keele · QS World #801

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.

7/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Keele

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Keele University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Keele University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Keele University both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Chemistry. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Keele University offers 426 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £1,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £5,980 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 14 and Keele University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £23,000 from Keele University. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 6 and Keele University in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#801
#401
THE World
#501
#41
Guardian UK
#73
1821
Established
1949
No
Russell Group
No
—
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

Keele University

82%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
8.5%

International

International student share

214
426

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
1

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

Keele

56 countries · 8.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria12.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.7%

Subjects

32 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

Keele University

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Applied Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biotechnology, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Keele 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

Heriot-Watt University
£20,080
Keele University
£18,200

Keele University is about £1,880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Keele University
£18,200

Keele University is about £5,980 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

Keele University

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction76%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction75%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    96%Satisfaction96%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    74%Satisfaction82%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 →

Keele University

Postgraduate Global Scholarship (international) 2026

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Keele University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Keele University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £1,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £5,980 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 Keele University?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Accounting, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Business Studies, Economics and 20 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Keele University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £26,500 from Keele University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 76% at Keele University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Keele University offer more courses?

Keele University lists 426 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 16 subject areas that Keele University does not, including Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering and 8 more.

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

Keele University teaches 47 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Media & Film Studies, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Environmental Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Pharmacy and 39 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
K
Keele University426 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses