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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

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #1201

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

Queen Margaret

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Heriot-Watt University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh both teach 8 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Finance & Actuarial Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,720 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 4 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £22,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 2 and Heriot-Watt University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
—
#41
Guardian UK
—
1821
Established
1875
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Heriot-Watt University

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

82%
89.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£28,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
88.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18.6%

International

International student share

214
68

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
3

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

Queen Margaret

51 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland29%
  • 🌐Nepal9.8%
  • 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.5%

Subjects

8 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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
£18,460

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,720 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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    No dataSatisfaction92%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    78%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    82%Satisfaction76%

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 →

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,720 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 8 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and Education Studies.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £22,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 40 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Accounting, Chemistry and 32 more.

What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 17 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies and 9 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
Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh68 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses