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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 College Birmingham

Birmingham

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/7

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

2/7

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international.

Heriot-Watt University vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University College Birmingham both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Building & Construction, Computer Science and Finance & Actuarial Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £6,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £7,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 5 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 8 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
1957
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 College Birmingham

82%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
47%

International

International student share

214
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
7

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 College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%

Subjects

19 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 College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University College Birmingham

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 College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £6,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £7,180 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

University College Birmingham

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    74%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

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

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Food Production & Technology

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,000
    98%Satisfaction78%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Planning & Housing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    73%Satisfaction89%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    76%Satisfaction86%

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 College Birmingham

GREAT Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Dean's Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

Early Action Scholarship

£4,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Alumni Scholarship

25%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £6,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £7,180 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 College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Building & Construction, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Food Production & Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Marketing and 7 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University College Birmingham better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at Heriot-Watt University and 89% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 29 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Accounting, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Physics and 21 more.

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

University College Birmingham teaches 17 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Food Science, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology and 9 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 College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses