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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 Mary University of London

London · QS World #103

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Queen Mary University of London

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Queen Mary University of London leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs Queen Mary University of London at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Queen Mary University of London both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Mathematics and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Queen Mary University of London offers 622 courses across 81 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,450 at Queen Mary University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £9,370 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Queen Mary University of London is higher in 20 and Heriot-Watt University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £40,500 from Queen Mary University of London. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 10 and Queen Mary University of London in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#103
#401
THE World
#134
#41
Guardian UK
#35
1821
Established
1885
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

Queen Mary University of London

82%
84.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£41,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
32.1%

International

International student share

214
622

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
18

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 Mary University of London

119 countries · 32.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India18.1%
  • 🇨🇳China17.6%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey4.1%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan2.7%

Subjects

37 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 Mary University of London

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Marketing, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Statistics, Biological Sciences (General), French, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Education Studies, General Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, Management, Applied Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Planning & Housing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biotechnology, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Queen Mary University of London

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 Mary University of London
£29,450

Heriot-Watt University is about £9,370 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Queen Mary University of London
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Mary University of London 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

Queen Mary University of London

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    92%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    74%Satisfaction82%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    78%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 →

Queen Mary University of London

Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship

£800,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Data Science and AI MSc Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

MSc in Management of IP Scholarships

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Scholarship

£7,875

Deadline: May 2026

Law Progression Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Queen Mary University of London: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Queen Mary University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,450 at Queen Mary University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £9,370 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 Mary University of London?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Physics and 25 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Queen Mary University of London better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £35,500 from Queen Mary University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Heriot-Watt University and 79% at Queen Mary University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Queen Mary University of London offer more courses?

Queen Mary University of London lists 622 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Queen Mary University of London?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 11 subject areas that Queen Mary University of London does not, including Building & Construction, Food Production & Technology, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Technology & Logistics, Architecture, Asian Languages & Studies, British Sign Language & Scots and 3 more.

What can you study at Queen Mary University of London but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Queen Mary University of London teaches 44 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Medicine, Politics & International Relations, Dentistry, English Studies, History, Genetics & Genomics, Media & Film Studies 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
Q
Queen Mary University of London622 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses