Skip to main content

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
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

7/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). SOAS University of London is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs SOAS University of London at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and SOAS University of London both teach 10 subject areas, the largest being Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,140 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 3 and Heriot-Watt University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £35,000 from SOAS University of London. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 2 and SOAS University of London in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#458
#401
THE World
#401
#41
Guardian UK
#86
1821
Established
1916
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

SOAS University of London

82%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
25.7%

International

International student share

214
296

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
27

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

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%

Subjects

10 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

SOAS University of London

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at SOAS 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
SOAS University of London
£23,780

Heriot-Watt University is about £3,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
SOAS University of London
£25,320

Heriot-Watt University is about £1,140 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

SOAS University of London

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction82%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    74%Satisfaction73%

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 →

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs SOAS University of London: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or SOAS 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 £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,140 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 SOAS University of London?

Both universities teach 10 subject areas: Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management and Biological Sciences (General).

Is Heriot-Watt University or SOAS University of London better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £24,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Heriot-Watt University and 92% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or SOAS University of London offer more courses?

SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at SOAS University of London?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 38 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Mathematics, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Physics and 30 more.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Heriot-Watt University?

SOAS University of London teaches 19 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Law, History of Art & Design, Music and 11 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
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses