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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's University Belfast

Belfast · QS World #174

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.

3/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Queen's University Belfast

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Queen's University Belfast leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs Queen's University Belfast at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Queen's University Belfast both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Civil Engineering and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Queen's University Belfast offers 494 courses across 93 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £20,800 at Queen's University Belfast: Heriot-Watt University is about £720 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen's University Belfast is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#174
#401
THE World
#198
#41
Guardian UK
#36
1821
Established
1845
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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's University Belfast

82%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
21.9%

International

International student share

214
494

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
1

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's University Belfast

74 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland30.3%
  • 🇮🇳India14.3%
  • 🇨🇳China11%
  • 🇺🇸United States7%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia5%

Subjects

38 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's University Belfast

Also taught at both: Accounting, Economics, French, Software Engineering, Planning & Housing, Biological Sciences (General), Ecology & Conservation, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Education Studies, Food Production & Technology, Marketing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Technology & Logistics, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Queen's University Belfast

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's University Belfast
£20,800

Heriot-Watt University is about £720 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Queen's University Belfast
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen's University Belfast 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's University Belfast

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction72%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction97%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    74%Satisfaction78%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)No data
    74%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction70%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction86%

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's University Belfast

Future-Ready Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Queen's University Belfast: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Queen's University Belfast cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £20,800 at Queen's University Belfast: Heriot-Watt University is about £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's University Belfast?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 26 more.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Queen's University Belfast offer more courses?

Queen's University Belfast lists 494 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Queen's University Belfast?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 10 subject areas that Queen's University Belfast does not, including Statistics, Applied Psychology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, British Sign Language & Scots and 2 more.

What can you study at Queen's University Belfast but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Queen's University Belfast teaches 55 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, History, Anthropology, Social Work, Irish Studies, Media & Film Studies and 47 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's University Belfast494 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses