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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

5/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Swansea

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University and Swansea University are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship; Swansea University on ranking, satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs Swansea University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Swansea University both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,470 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £1,230 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 15 and Swansea University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £25,000 from Swansea University. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#322
#401
THE World
#301
#41
Guardian UK
#32
1821
Established
1920
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Heriot-Watt University

Swansea University

82%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
14.1%

International

International student share

214
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
5

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

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

Swansea University

Also taught at both: Chemistry, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Marketing, Computing & IT, Management, Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing, Applied Psychology, Toxicology, Biological Sciences (General).

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Swansea 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
Swansea University
£21,550

Heriot-Watt University is about £1,470 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Swansea University
£22,950

Swansea University is about £1,230 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

Swansea University

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction69%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    74%Satisfaction90%

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 →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Swansea University: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or Swansea University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,470 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £1,230 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 Swansea University?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Economics, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemical Engineering, Business Studies, Psychology (General) and 25 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or Swansea University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £31,500 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 84% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or Swansea University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 11 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Ancient Languages, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, German & Scandinavian Studies, Technology & Logistics, Architecture, Asian Languages & Studies and 3 more.

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

Swansea University teaches 60 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, History, Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies and 52 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
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses