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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

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/8

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Open University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Open University both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £43,500 from Open University. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 8 and Heriot-Watt University in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#801
#41
Guardian UK
—
1821
Established
1969
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

Open University

82%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
0.2%

International

International student share

214
337

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

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%

Subjects

25 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

Open University

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Software Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, French, Human Resource Management, Applied Psychology, German & Scandinavian Studies.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Open 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
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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

Open University

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

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

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£43,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    74%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 →

Open University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Open University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Heriot-Watt University and Open University?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Physics, Accounting, Education Studies, Chemistry and 13 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Open University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £33,500 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 91% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 23 subject areas that Open University does not, including Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Food Production & Technology, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 15 more.

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

Open University teaches 43 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, History, Sociology & Criminology, Humanities, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, English Language, Combined & General Studies and 35 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
O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses