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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

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester · QS World #600

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

Manchester Metropolitan

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). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Manchester Metropolitan University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Mathematics and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 17 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £23,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#600
#401
THE World
#601
#41
Guardian UK
#62
1821
Established
1970
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

Manchester Metropolitan University

82%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
9.3%

International

International student share

214
393

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
3

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

Manchester Metropolitan

90 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.7%
  • 🇨🇳China10.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.8%

Subjects

32 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Software Engineering, Architecture, Economics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biological Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Manchester Metropolitan 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
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,500

Heriot-Watt University is about £1,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,180 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    78%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 →

Manchester Metropolitan University

Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships

100%

Deadline: May 2026

Doctoral Landscape Awards

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulbright Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Manchester Metropolitan University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Manchester Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,180 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 Manchester Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Building & Construction and 20 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Manchester Metropolitan University better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £19,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Manchester Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 16 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Food Production & Technology, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering and 8 more.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 46 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including English Studies, Teacher Training, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, Biology and 38 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
M
Manchester Metropolitan University393 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses