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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

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

0/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

11/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 11 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 11 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Heriot-Watt University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Heriot-Watt University vs The University of Edinburgh at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and The University of Edinburgh both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and German & Scandinavian Studies. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Heriot-Watt University is about £9,520 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 19 and Heriot-Watt University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £37,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 11 and The University of Edinburgh in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#35
#401
THE World
#29
#41
Guardian UK
#17
1821
Established
1583
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

The University of Edinburgh

82%
85.3%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
41.6%

International

International student share

214
936

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
112

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

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%

Subjects

41 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

The University of Edinburgh

Also taught at both: Chemical Engineering, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Education Studies, Business & Management (General), Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Management, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Marketing, Biotechnology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biomedical Engineering.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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
The University of Edinburgh
£29,600

Heriot-Watt University is about £9,520 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
The University of Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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

The University of Edinburgh

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    81%Satisfaction74%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

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 →

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs The University of Edinburgh: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or The University of Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Heriot-Watt University is about £9,520 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 The University of Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physics, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Ancient Languages, French, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Chemistry and 29 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or The University of Edinburgh better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £37,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 74% at The University of Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or The University of Edinburgh offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at The University of Edinburgh?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 7 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, British Sign Language & Scots, Food & Beverage Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management and Toxicology.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at Heriot-Watt University?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 75 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Theology & Religious Studies, Medicine, Teacher Training, History, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies and 67 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
T
The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses