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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
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

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.

6/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Ulster

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.

Heriot-Watt University vs Ulster University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and Ulster University both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Design & Fashion and Civil Engineering. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £2,590 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Ulster University is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#595
#401
THE World
#601
#41
Guardian UK
#60
1821
Established
1968
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

Ulster University

82%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
32.5%

International

International student share

214
170

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
0

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

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%

Subjects

26 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

Ulster University

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at Ulster 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
Ulster University
£17,490

Ulster University is about £2,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
Ulster University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University 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

Ulster University

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction100%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)No data
    74%Satisfaction95%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)No data
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    74%Satisfaction73%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 →

Ulster University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs Ulster University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £2,590 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 Ulster University?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 14 more.

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

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 22 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics and 14 more.

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

Ulster University teaches 40 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Sociology & Criminology, Social Work, Irish Studies, Journalism, Music, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies and 32 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
Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses