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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

S
Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield · 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.

7/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Sheffield Hallam

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Sheffield Hallam University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Sheffield Hallam University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Sheffield Hallam University both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Sheffield Hallam University offers 365 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,000 at Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield Hallam University is about £2,080 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 18 and Sheffield Hallam University in 2. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £31,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £26,500 from Sheffield Hallam University. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Sheffield Hallam University is higher in 11 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
#1001
#401
THE World
#801
#41
Guardian UK
#63
1821
Established
1843
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Heriot-Watt University

Sheffield Hallam University

82%
82.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
86.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
14.3%

International

International student share

214
365

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
12

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

Sheffield Hallam

44 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India53%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria15.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🌐Myanmar (Burma)3.5%

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

Sheffield Hallam University

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Management, Psychology (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Food Production & Technology, Statistics, Education Studies, Planning & Housing, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Architecture, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Sheffield Hallam 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
Sheffield Hallam University
£18,000

Sheffield Hallam University is about £2,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Sheffield Hallam University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Sheffield Hallam University 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

Sheffield Hallam University

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction71%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    74%Satisfaction75%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    74%Satisfaction80%

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 →

Sheffield Hallam University

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

TASS: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Executive MBA Scholarships

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Transform Together Scholarships

50%

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Sheffield Hallam University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Sheffield Hallam University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,000 at Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield Hallam University is about £2,080 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 Sheffield Hallam University?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Building & Construction, Computer Science, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 25 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Sheffield Hallam University better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £20,500 from Sheffield Hallam University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 89% at Sheffield Hallam University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Sheffield Hallam University offer more courses?

Sheffield Hallam University lists 365 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Sheffield Hallam University?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 11 subject areas that Sheffield Hallam University does not, including Ancient Languages, French, Ecology & Conservation, German & Scandinavian Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, British Sign Language & Scots and 3 more.

What can you study at Sheffield Hallam University but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Sheffield Hallam University teaches 47 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, Film Production & Cinematography, Medical Imaging, Nutrition & Dietetics, Law, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Biomedical Sciences and 39 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
S
Sheffield Hallam University365 courses · 12 scholarshipsBrowse Courses