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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
University Centre South Essex

Southend-on-Sea

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 6 datapoints

We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/6

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

2/6

University Centre South Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 4 of 6 categories where both have data (established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University Centre South Essex is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Heriot-Watt University vs University Centre South Essex at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University Centre South Essex both teach 9 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Accounting and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University Centre South Essex offers 25 courses across 18 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,930 at University Centre South Essex: University Centre South Essex is about £2,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 3 and University Centre South Essex in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £19,000 from University Centre South Essex. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University Centre South Essex is higher in 2 and Heriot-Watt University in 1.

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
2016
No
Russell Group
No
—
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

University Centre South Essex

82%
95.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£24,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
No data

International

International student share

214
25

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

University Centre South Essex

No published data on international students

    Subjects

    9 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

    University Centre South Essex

    • Design & Fashion

      11 courses

      Typical fee £20,080 (UG)

      3 courses

      Typical fee £17,930 (UG)

    • Accounting

      7 courses

      Typical fee £20,080 (UG)

      1 course

      Typical fee £17,930 (UG)

    • Business & Management (General)

      7 courses

      Typical fee £20,080 (UG)

      1 course

      Fee not available

    • Psychology (General)

      5 courses

      Typical fee £21,190 (UG)

      1 course

      Typical fee £17,930 (UG)

    • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

      3 courses

      Typical fee £28,060 (PG)

      2 courses

      Fee not available

    • Computing & IT

      2 courses

      Typical fee £25,480 (PG)

      1 course

      Fee not available

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      2 courses

      Typical fee £21,190 (UG)

      1 course

      Typical fee £17,930 (UG)

    • Education Studies

      1 course

      Typical fee £29,990 (PG)

      1 course

      Typical fee £17,930 (UG)

    • Games Design & Computer Animation

      1 course

      Typical fee £25,480 (PG)

      1 course

      Fee not available

    Only at Heriot-Watt University

    Only at University Centre South Essex

    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
    University Centre South Essex
    £17,930

    University Centre South Essex is about £2,150 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Heriot-Watt University
    £24,180
    University Centre South Essex
    No data

    We do not have reliable international fee data for University Centre South Essex 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

    University Centre South Essex

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
      78%Satisfaction100%

    • Accounting

      £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
      74%SatisfactionNo data

    • Business & Management (General)

      £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
      No dataSatisfactionNo data

    • Psychology (General)

      £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
      81%Satisfaction95%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
      89%Satisfaction75%

    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 →

    University Centre South Essex

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Heriot-Watt University vs University Centre South Essex: common questions

    Is Heriot-Watt University or University Centre South Essex cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,930 at University Centre South Essex: University Centre South Essex is about £2,150 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 University Centre South Essex?

    Both universities teach 9 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies and Games Design & Computer Animation.

    Is Heriot-Watt University or University Centre South Essex better for Design & Fashion?

    Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £18,500 from University Centre South Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 100% at University Centre South Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Heriot-Watt University or University Centre South Essex offer more courses?

    Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and University Centre South Essex lists 25 courses.

    What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at University Centre South Essex?

    Heriot-Watt University teaches 39 subject areas that University Centre South Essex does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry and 31 more.

    What can you study at University Centre South Essex but not at Heriot-Watt University?

    University Centre South Essex teaches 9 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Crafts & Applied Arts, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dance, Fine Art, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 1 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
    University Centre South Essex25 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses