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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
King's College London, University of London

London · QS World #37

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

King's College London

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Heriot-Watt University vs King's College London, University of London at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and King's College London, University of London both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Ancient Languages and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; King's College London, University of London offers 373 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £32,100 at King's College London, University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £12,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,100 at King's College London, University of London: King's College London, University of London is about £3,080 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, King's College London, University of London is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 0. The widest gap is in Psychology (General): £22,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £37,000 from King's College London, University of London. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 6 and King's College London, University of London in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#37
#401
THE World
#38
#41
Guardian UK
#26
1821
Established
1829
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Heriot-Watt University

King's College London, University of London

82%
85.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£43,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
38.4%

International

International student share

214
373

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
10

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

King's College London

124 countries · 38.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China36.6%
  • 🇮🇳India7.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.7%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.2%

Subjects

25 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

King's College London, University of London

Also taught at both: Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering, Statistics, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Asian Languages & Studies, Toxicology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at King's College London, 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

Heriot-Watt University
£20,080
King's College London, University of London
£32,100

Heriot-Watt University is about £12,020 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
King's College London, University of London
£21,100

King's College London, University of London is about £3,080 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

King's College London, University of London

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£44,500
    81%Satisfaction75%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    96%Satisfaction82%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    74%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£44,500
    76%Satisfaction67%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    74%Satisfaction91%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction93%

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 →

King's College London, University of London

Alexandros Petersen Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Organ Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

BFI Collaborative Doctoral Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

CMR Fellowship Programme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs King's College London, University of London: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or King's College London, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £32,100 at King's College London, University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £12,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,100 at King's College London, University of London: King's College London, University of London is about £3,080 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 King's College London, University of London?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Economics, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology (General), Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 13 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or King's College London, University of London better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £36,000 from King's College London, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 86% at King's College London, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or King's College London, University of London offer more courses?

King's College London, University of London lists 373 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at King's College London, University of London?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 23 subject areas that King's College London, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Food Production & Technology, French and 15 more.

What can you study at King's College London, University of London but not at Heriot-Watt University?

King's College London, University of London teaches 55 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Politics & International Relations, Dentistry, Medicine, Clinical & Health Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, History, Information Systems & Data Science and 47 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
King's College London, University of London373 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses