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.
Edinburgh · QS World #325
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
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.
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
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
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
Design & Fashion
11 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
7 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Computer Science
12 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Business Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £23,020 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Psychology (General)
5 coursesTypical fee £21,190 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
2 coursesTypical fee £21,190 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Building & Construction
10 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £12,000 (PG)
Marketing
4 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
3 coursesTypical fee £28,060 (PG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Accounting
Management
Software Engineering
Economics
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.
Only at Heriot-Watt 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
- 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)£21,50078%Satisfaction90%Business & Management (General)
£26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500No dataSatisfaction85%Computer Science
£30,500Salary (3 years)£25,50081%Satisfaction85%Finance & Actuarial Science
£31,000Salary (3 years)£23,50074%Satisfaction83%Psychology (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£23,50081%Satisfaction84%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,50089%Satisfaction94%Marketing
£26,500Salary (3 years)£23,50082%Satisfaction89%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£27,00083%Satisfaction93%Accounting
£26,000Salary (3 years)£23,50074%Satisfaction83%Software Engineering
£31,500Salary (3 years)£25,50073%Satisfaction80%Economics
£32,000Salary (3 years)£26,50092%Satisfaction88%General Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£27,00085%Satisfaction94%
Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveHeriot-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
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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