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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
Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham · QS World #639

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

Nottingham Trent

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). Nottingham Trent University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Nottingham Trent University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Nottingham Trent University both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Mathematics and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Nottingham Trent University offers 462 courses across 81 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,950 at Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Trent University is about £2,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,300 at Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Trent University is about £5,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 9 and Nottingham Trent University in 5, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £31,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £26,500 from Nottingham Trent University. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Nottingham Trent University is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 6, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#639
#401
THE World
#601
#41
Guardian UK
#42
1821
Established
1843
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

Nottingham Trent University

82%
87.2%

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%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
16%

International

International student share

214
462

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

Nottingham Trent

106 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India28.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.1%

Subjects

39 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

Nottingham Trent University

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

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Nottingham Trent 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
Nottingham Trent University
£17,950

Nottingham Trent University is about £2,130 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Nottingham Trent University
£18,300

Nottingham Trent University is about £5,880 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

Nottingham Trent University

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

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

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    96%Satisfaction96%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    74%Satisfaction80%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction69%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 →

Nottingham Trent University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Nottingham Trent University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Nottingham Trent University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,950 at Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Trent University is about £2,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,300 at Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Trent University is about £5,880 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 Nottingham Trent University?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business Studies, Building & Construction, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Psychology (General), Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 27 more.

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

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £24,000 from Nottingham Trent University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 90% at Nottingham Trent University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Nottingham Trent University offer more courses?

Nottingham Trent University lists 462 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 9 subject areas that Nottingham Trent University does not, including Ancient Languages, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Planning & Housing, German & Scandinavian Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, British Sign Language & Scots and 1 more.

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

Nottingham Trent University teaches 42 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Media & Film Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Animal Science, History, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and 34 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
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Nottingham Trent University462 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses