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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
London South Bank University

London · QS World #901

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

London South Bank

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). London South Bank University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs London South Bank University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and London South Bank University both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Building & Construction, Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; London South Bank University offers 240 courses across 55 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,400 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £2,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,900 at London South Bank University: London South Bank 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 13 and London South Bank University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £33,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £51,000 from London South Bank University. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, London South Bank University is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#901
#401
THE World
#601
#41
Guardian UK
#78
1821
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
—
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

London South Bank University

82%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£33,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
15.6%

International

International student share

214
240

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

London South Bank

60 countries · 15.6% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.1%
  • 🇮🇳India19.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh18.1%
  • 🌐Nepal4.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.3%

Subjects

26 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

London South Bank University

Also taught at both: Economics, Food Production & Technology, General Engineering, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Psychology (General), Management, Physics, Computing & IT, Education Studies, Applied Psychology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at London South Bank 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
London South Bank University
£17,400

London South Bank University is about £2,680 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
London South Bank University
£18,900

London South Bank 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

London South Bank University

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,000
    83%Satisfaction76%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction75%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

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

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    74%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    96%Satisfaction98%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 →

London South Bank University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs London South Bank University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or London South Bank University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,400 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £2,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,900 at London South Bank University: London South Bank 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 London South Bank University?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Building & Construction, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 14 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or London South Bank University better for Building & Construction?

Building & Construction graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £51,000 from London South Bank University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Heriot-Watt University and 76% at London South Bank University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or London South Bank University offer more courses?

London South Bank University lists 240 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at London South Bank University?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 22 subject areas that London South Bank University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, French, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering and 14 more.

What can you study at London South Bank University but not at Heriot-Watt University?

London South Bank University teaches 29 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Children's Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Law, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Clinical & Health Psychology, Medical Imaging and 21 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
London South Bank University240 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses