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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

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Lancaster

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs Lancaster University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Lancaster University both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Heriot-Watt University is about £8,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £24,300 at Lancaster University, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £32,000 from Lancaster University. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#164
#401
THE World
#184
#41
Guardian UK
#10
1821
Established
1964
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

Lancaster University

82%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
79.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
22.4%

International

International student share

214
526

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
11

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

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

33 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

Lancaster University

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Statistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Business Studies, Software Engineering, Management, Biological Sciences (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Technology & Logistics, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Lancaster 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
Lancaster University
£28,680

Heriot-Watt University is about £8,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Lancaster University
£24,300

About the same.

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

Lancaster University

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    No dataSatisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction68%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction100%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    74%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 →

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Lancaster University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Heriot-Watt University is about £8,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £24,300 at Lancaster University, so the two cost about the same. 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 Lancaster University?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Ancient Languages, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Accounting and 21 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Lancaster University better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £29,500 from Lancaster University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 89% at Lancaster University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 15 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Food Production & Technology, French, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 7 more.

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

Lancaster University teaches 38 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Biomedical Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Linguistics, Law, Media & Film Studies, Human Geography & Environment, English Literature and 30 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
L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses