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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
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

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.

3/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Loughborough

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs Loughborough University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Loughborough University both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Design & Fashion. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Heriot-Watt University is about £9,670 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 18 and Heriot-Watt University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £43,000 from Loughborough University. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#203
#401
THE World
#301
#41
Guardian UK
#11
1821
Established
1909
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

Loughborough University

82%
87.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£41,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18.4%

International

International student share

214
416

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
36

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

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%

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

Loughborough University

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Economics, General Engineering, Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Architecture, Technology & Logistics, Biotechnology, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Loughborough 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
Loughborough University
£29,750

Heriot-Watt University is about £9,670 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Loughborough University
£29,500

Heriot-Watt University is about £5,320 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

Loughborough University

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    74%SatisfactionNo data

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    74%Satisfaction82%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£43,500
    83%SatisfactionNo data

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 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 →

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Loughborough University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Heriot-Watt University is about £9,670 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,320 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 Loughborough University?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Design & Fashion, Physics, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management, Ancient Languages, Finance & Actuarial Science and 21 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Loughborough University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £40,500 from Loughborough University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 86% at Loughborough University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 15 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Asian Languages & Studies and 7 more.

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

Loughborough University teaches 30 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Geology & Earth Sciences, History and 22 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
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses