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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
Oxford Brookes University

Oxford · QS World #411

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

Oxford Brookes

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). Oxford Brookes University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Oxford Brookes University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Oxford Brookes University both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Building & Construction and Ancient Languages. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Oxford Brookes University offers 307 courses across 69 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,250 at Oxford Brookes University: Oxford Brookes University is about £2,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,900 at Oxford Brookes University: Oxford Brookes University is about £5,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Oxford Brookes University is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 4. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £33,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £41,000 from Oxford Brookes University. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Oxford Brookes University is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt 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
#411
#401
THE World
#801
#41
Guardian UK
#43
1821
Established
1865
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

Oxford Brookes University

82%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
82.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
11.3%

International

International student share

214
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
14

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

Oxford Brookes

90 countries · 11.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India29.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.2%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

30 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

Oxford Brookes University

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Ecology & Conservation, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Planning & Housing, Statistics, Asian Languages & Studies, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Oxford Brookes 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
Oxford Brookes University
£17,250

Oxford Brookes University is about £2,830 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Oxford Brookes University
£18,900

Oxford Brookes University is about £5,280 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

Oxford Brookes University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    82%Satisfaction73%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    78%Satisfaction96%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    74%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    76%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 →

Oxford Brookes University

Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estranged students bursary

£2,000

Deadline: Jul 2027

Oxford Brookes Business School International Student Scholarship

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

Transition from Care Bursary

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Oxford Brookes University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Oxford Brookes University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,250 at Oxford Brookes University: Oxford Brookes University is about £2,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,900 at Oxford Brookes University: Oxford Brookes University is about £5,280 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 Oxford Brookes University?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management and 18 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Oxford Brookes University better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £29,500 from Oxford Brookes University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Oxford Brookes University offer more courses?

Oxford Brookes University lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 18 subject areas that Oxford Brookes University does not, including Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Aerospace Engineering and 10 more.

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

Oxford Brookes University teaches 39 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Anthropology, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 31 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
Oxford Brookes University307 courses · 14 scholarshipsBrowse Courses