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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

N
Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #149

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Newcastle

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Newcastle University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs Newcastle University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Newcastle University both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Newcastle University offers 502 courses across 99 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,750 at Newcastle University: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,670 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,700 at Newcastle University: Heriot-Watt University is about £6,520 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Newcastle University is higher in 16 and Heriot-Watt University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £38,000 from Newcastle University. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 12 and Newcastle University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#149
#401
THE World
#144
#41
Guardian UK
#23
1821
Established
1834
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

Newcastle University

82%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
81.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
22.1%

International

International student share

214
502

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
4

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

Newcastle

91 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China43.8%
  • 🇮🇳India8.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.3%
  • 🌐Cyprus (Non-European Union)3.2%

Subjects

43 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

Newcastle University

Also taught at both: Accounting, Economics, French, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Statistics, Architecture, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, General Engineering, Management, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Computing & IT, Ecology & Conservation, Asian Languages & Studies, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, Technology & Logistics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Newcastle 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
Newcastle University
£25,750

Heriot-Watt University is about £5,670 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Newcastle University
£30,700

Heriot-Watt University is about £6,520 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

Newcastle University

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    81%Satisfaction70%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    74%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    No dataSatisfaction70%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction73%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    74%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 →

Newcastle University

Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Newcastle University Sanctuary Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

St Nicholas' Educational Trust Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Newcastle University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,750 at Newcastle University: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,670 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,700 at Newcastle University: Heriot-Watt University is about £6,520 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 Newcastle University?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Business & Management (General) and 31 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Newcastle University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £30,000 from Newcastle University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Heriot-Watt University and 88% at Newcastle University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Newcastle University lists 502 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 5 subject areas that Newcastle University does not, including Food Production & Technology, Software Engineering, British Sign Language & Scots, Food & Beverage Studies and Toxicology.

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

Newcastle University teaches 56 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Linguistics, Clinical Specialities, Media & Film Studies, Human Geography & Environment and 48 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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Heriot-Watt University214 courses · 42 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
N
Newcastle University502 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses