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.
Edinburgh · QS World #325
Cirencester
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
6/7
Heriot-Watt
scored higher in 6 categories
1/7
Royal Agricultural
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Royal Agricultural University is ahead on employment.
Heriot-Watt University vs Royal Agricultural University at a glance
Heriot-Watt University and Royal Agricultural University both teach 6 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Building & Construction and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Royal Agricultural University offers 70 courses across 13 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £16,950 at Royal Agricultural University: Royal Agricultural University is about £3,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £22,000 at Royal Agricultural University: Royal Agricultural University is about £2,180 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 2 and Royal Agricultural University in 0. The widest gap is in Management: £27,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £25,000 from Royal Agricultural University. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 1 and Royal Agricultural University in 1.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Heriot-Watt University
Royal Agricultural University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Royal Agricultural
15 countries · 12.4% international
- 🇿🇦South Africa13%
- 🌐Zimbabwe13%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.7%
- 🇮🇳India8.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria8.7%
Subjects
6 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
Royal Agricultural University
Business Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £23,020 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
Building & Construction
10 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £22,000 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
Management
Ecology & Conservation
Zoology & Animal Biology
Only at Heriot-Watt 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
- Royal Agricultural University
- £16,950
Royal Agricultural University is about £3,130 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
- Royal Agricultural University
- £22,000
Royal Agricultural University is about £2,180 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
Royal Agricultural University
Business & Management (General)
£26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000No dataSatisfaction64%Management
£27,500Salary (3 years)£25,00074%Satisfaction67%Ecology & Conservation
£24,500Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction95%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveHeriot-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
Royal Agricultural University
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
100%
Deadline: N/A
Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors/Pathways to Property Bursary
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
RAU Africa Agricultural Leadership Award
£4,500
Deadline: N/A
Sir Emrys Jones Memorial Trust postgraduate award
£4,000
Deadline: N/A
RAU Bursary (Stream 2)
£3,500
Deadline: Aug 2026
FAQ
Heriot-Watt University vs Royal Agricultural University: common questions
Is Heriot-Watt University or Royal Agricultural University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £16,950 at Royal Agricultural University: Royal Agricultural University is about £3,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £22,000 at Royal Agricultural University: Royal Agricultural University is about £2,180 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 Royal Agricultural University?
Both universities teach 6 subject areas: Business Studies, Building & Construction, Business & Management (General), Management, Ecology & Conservation and Zoology & Animal Biology.
Is Heriot-Watt University or Royal Agricultural University better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £25,000 from Royal Agricultural University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Heriot-Watt University or Royal Agricultural University offer more courses?
Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Agricultural University lists 70 courses.
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Royal Agricultural University?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 42 subject areas that Royal Agricultural University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting and 34 more.
What can you study at Royal Agricultural University but not at Heriot-Watt University?
Royal Agricultural University teaches 7 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Heritage & Conservation, Agricultural Sciences, Countryside & Rural Management, Environmental Sciences and Childhood & Youth Studies.
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