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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
Leeds Beckett University

Leeds · QS World #1001

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

Leeds Beckett

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). Leeds Beckett University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Leeds Beckett University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Leeds Beckett University both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion and Building & Construction. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Leeds Beckett University offers 318 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £16,840 at Leeds Beckett University: Leeds Beckett University is about £3,240 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,440 at Leeds Beckett University: Leeds Beckett University is about £5,740 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 12 and Leeds Beckett University in 2. The widest gap is in Management: £27,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £42,500 from Leeds Beckett University. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Leeds Beckett University is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#1001
#401
THE World
#801
#41
Guardian UK
#70
1821
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Bronze

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Heriot-Watt University

Leeds Beckett University

82%
85.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
85.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
19.1%

International

International student share

214
318

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

Leeds Beckett

65 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India48.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.6%
  • 🌐Nepal2.6%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam2.6%

Subjects

27 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

Leeds Beckett University

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Economics, Physics, Planning & Housing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, Technology & Logistics, Biological Sciences (General).

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Leeds Beckett 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
Leeds Beckett University
£16,840

Leeds Beckett University is about £3,240 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Leeds Beckett University
£18,440

Leeds Beckett University is about £5,740 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

Leeds Beckett University

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction70%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    No dataSatisfaction65%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£42,500
    74%Satisfaction78%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    74%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    73%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 →

Leeds Beckett University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Leeds Beckett University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Leeds Beckett University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £16,840 at Leeds Beckett University: Leeds Beckett University is about £3,240 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,440 at Leeds Beckett University: Leeds Beckett University is about £5,740 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 Leeds Beckett University?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Computer Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Management, Business Studies, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General) and 15 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Leeds Beckett University better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?

Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £23,000 from Leeds Beckett University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Heriot-Watt University and 91% at Leeds Beckett University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Leeds Beckett University offer more courses?

Leeds Beckett University lists 318 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 21 subject areas that Leeds Beckett University does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 13 more.

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

Leeds Beckett University teaches 40 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Politics & International Relations, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Law, Music, Teacher Training, Social Policy & Public Policy, Nutrition & Dietetics and 32 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
Leeds Beckett University318 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses