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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
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Northumbria

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Northumbria University, Newcastle is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Northumbria University, Newcastle at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Northumbria University, Newcastle both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business Studies and Design & Fashion. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £4,330 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 15 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £21,000 from Northumbria University, Newcastle. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#528
#401
THE World
#401
#41
Guardian UK
#53
1821
Established
1969
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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

82%
83.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£31,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
86.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
24.5%

International

International student share

214
305

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
7

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

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Also taught at both: Physics, Economics, Architecture, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Education Studies, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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
Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850

About the same.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £4,330 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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    No dataSatisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    74%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    96%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 →

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Northumbria University, Newcastle: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £4,330 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle?

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

Is Heriot-Watt University or Northumbria University, Newcastle better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £25,500 from Northumbria University, Newcastle. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 87% at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 21 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Management, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Planning & Housing and 13 more.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 44 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, English Literature, Social Work, Sociology & Criminology, History, Media & Film Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing and 36 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
N
Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses