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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

R
Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen · QS World #1001

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.

6/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Robert Gordon

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses). Robert Gordon University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs Robert Gordon University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Robert Gordon University both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,300 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £1,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,060 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £5,120 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Robert Gordon University is higher in 5 and Heriot-Watt University in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £33,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £26,000 from Robert Gordon University. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Robert Gordon University is higher in 6 and Heriot-Watt University in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#1001
#401
THE World
#801
#41
Guardian UK
#81
1821
Established
1729
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

Robert Gordon University

82%
87.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£33,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
88.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
14.4%

International

International student share

214
151

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
43

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

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria36.2%
  • 🇮🇳India16.2%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana9.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%

Subjects

23 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

Robert Gordon University

Also taught at both: Marketing, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Robert Gordon 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
Robert Gordon University
£18,300

Robert Gordon University is about £1,780 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Robert Gordon University
£19,060

Robert Gordon University is about £5,120 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

Robert Gordon University

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    78%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    74%Satisfaction93%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    76%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

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 →

Robert Gordon University

Bolashak Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)

100%

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Postgraduate/PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Robert Gordon University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Robert Gordon University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,300 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £1,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,060 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £5,120 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 Robert Gordon University?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, General Engineering and 11 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Robert Gordon University better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £20,000 from Robert Gordon University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 93% at Robert Gordon University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Robert Gordon University offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 25 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Physics, Psychology (General), Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics and 17 more.

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

Robert Gordon University teaches 28 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Information & Library Studies, Pharmacy, Adult Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Fine Art, Information Systems & Data Science and 20 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
R
Robert Gordon University151 courses · 43 scholarshipsBrowse Courses