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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
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, scholarship). Royal Holloway, University of London is ahead on satisfaction, graduate salary, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Ancient Languages. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £6,720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,220 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#485
#401
THE World
#401
#41
Guardian UK
#45
1821
Established
1879
No
Russell Group
No
—
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

Royal Holloway, University of London

82%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
16.7%

International

International student share

214
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

24 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 Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Human Resource Management, Biological Sciences (General), Games Design & Computer Animation.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Royal Holloway, 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
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,800

Heriot-Watt University is about £6,720 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

Heriot-Watt University is about £2,220 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 Holloway, University of London

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction98%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Royal Holloway, 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 £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £6,720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,220 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 Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Economics, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Business & Management (General), German & Scandinavian Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Marketing and 12 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 24 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, Statistics and 16 more.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 36 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Music, Biochemistry, History, Classical Studies and 28 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
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses