Skip to main content

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
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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.

8/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Kingston

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Kingston University is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Kingston University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Kingston University both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Building & Construction. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,500 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £1,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,900 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £5,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 12 and Kingston University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £33,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £27,500 from Kingston University. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Kingston University is higher in 11 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
#686
#401
THE World
#801
#41
Guardian UK
#67
1821
Established
1899
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

Kingston University

82%
85.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£31,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
78.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
21.9%

International

International student share

214
390

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
0

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

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%

Subjects

31 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

Kingston University

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemical Engineering, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Biological Sciences (General), Software Engineering, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Technology & Logistics, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Kingston 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
Kingston University
£18,500

Kingston University is about £1,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Kingston University
£18,900

Kingston University is about £5,280 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

Kingston University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    No dataSatisfaction81%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction81%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction78%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    74%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 →

Kingston University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Kingston University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,500 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £1,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,900 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £5,280 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 Kingston University?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Applied Psychology, Economics and 19 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £25,500 from Kingston University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Kingston University lists 390 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 17 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Planning & Housing and 9 more.

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

Kingston University teaches 36 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Midwifery, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Creative Writing, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 28 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
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses