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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
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

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.

4/7

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

Southampton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Southampton, Solent University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Southampton, Solent University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Southampton, Solent University both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Business Studies. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,830 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 13 and Southampton, Solent University in 1. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £22,500 from Southampton, Solent University. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University 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
—
#401
THE World
—
#41
Guardian UK
—
1821
Established
1855
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

Southampton, Solent University

82%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
14.9%

International

International student share

214
294

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
11

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

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%

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

Southampton, Solent University

Also taught at both: Games Design & Computer Animation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture, Technology & Logistics, Marketing, Applied Psychology, General Engineering, Education Studies.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Southampton, Solent 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
Southampton, Solent University
£19,080

Southampton, Solent University is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Southampton, Solent University
£18,350

Southampton, Solent University is about £5,830 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

Southampton, Solent University

  • Design & Fashion

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

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    74%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction97%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    74%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    74%Satisfaction87%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    73%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 →

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Southampton, Solent University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Southampton, Solent University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,830 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 Southampton, Solent University?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Computer Science, Accounting, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Management and 11 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Southampton, Solent 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 Southampton, Solent University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 89% at Southampton, Solent University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Southampton, Solent University offer more courses?

Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at Southampton, Solent University?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 25 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 17 more.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at Heriot-Watt University?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 19 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Law, Music, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Social Sciences (General), Journalism 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
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses