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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
Middlesex 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.

8/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Middlesex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Middlesex University is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Middlesex University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Middlesex University both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Middlesex University offers 294 courses across 65 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,200 at Middlesex University: Middlesex University is about £2,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,600 at Middlesex University: Middlesex University is about £6,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 12 and Middlesex University in 2. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £23,500 from Middlesex University. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Middlesex University is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#901
#401
THE World
#501
#41
Guardian UK
#74
1821
Established
1878
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

Middlesex University

82%
87.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
78%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
29.6%

International

International student share

214
294

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

Middlesex

80 countries · 29.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India43.9%
  • 🇨🇳China7.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%

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

Middlesex University

Also taught at both: Computing & IT, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, General Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.

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
Middlesex University
£17,200

Middlesex University is about £2,880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Middlesex University
£17,600

Middlesex University is about £6,580 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

Middlesex University

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    78%Satisfaction90%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    No dataSatisfaction85%
  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction85%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    74%Satisfaction83%
  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction84%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction94%
  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction89%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction93%
  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    74%Satisfaction83%
  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    73%Satisfaction80%
  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction88%
  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction94%

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 →

Middlesex University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Middlesex University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,200 at Middlesex University: Middlesex University is about £2,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,600 at Middlesex University: Middlesex University is about £6,580 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 Middlesex University?

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

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

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £21,500 from Middlesex University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 90% at Middlesex University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Middlesex University lists 294 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 21 subject areas that Middlesex University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Food Production & Technology and 13 more.

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

Middlesex University teaches 38 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Biomedical Sciences, Business Information Systems, Film Production & Cinematography, Law, Medicine, Social Work, Sociology & Criminology, Clinical Specialities and 30 more.

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