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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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.

3/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and UCL (University College London) both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages and Mathematics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Heriot-Watt University is about £9,720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Heriot-Watt University is about £10,520 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 19 and Heriot-Watt University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £51,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 9 and UCL (University College London) 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
#8
#401
THE World
#22
#41
Guardian UK
#9
1821
Established
1826
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

UCL (University College London)

82%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
51.9%

International

International student share

214
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

39 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: Physics, Planning & Housing, Chemistry, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Accounting, Computing & IT, Biotechnology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Business Studies, Marketing, Biological Sciences (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Zoology & Animal Biology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

Heriot-Watt University is about £9,720 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

Heriot-Watt University is about £10,520 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

UCL (University College London)

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£51,000
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction73%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£45,000
    92%Satisfaction79%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 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 →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Heriot-Watt University is about £9,720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Heriot-Watt University is about £10,520 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, French, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Design & Fashion and 27 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or UCL (University College London) better for German & Scandinavian Studies?

German & Scandinavian Studies graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £31,000 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Heriot-Watt University and 95% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at UCL (University College London)?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 9 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Food Production & Technology, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology, Technology & Logistics, Asian Languages & Studies, British Sign Language & Scots, Food & Beverage Studies, Human Resource Management and 1 more.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Heriot-Watt University?

UCL (University College London) teaches 70 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Italian, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 62 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
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses