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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 of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Aberdeen both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Ancient Languages, Management and Mathematics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Heriot-Watt University is about £720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £1,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £29,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#288
#401
THE World
#201
#41
Guardian UK
#22
1821
Established
1495
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

University of Aberdeen

82%
89.2%

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%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18.8%

International

International student share

214
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
3

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

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇨🇳China20.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%

Subjects

33 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 of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Planning & Housing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biotechnology, Human Resource Management, Toxicology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Aberdeen

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 of Aberdeen
£20,800

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

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

University of Aberdeen is about £1,180 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 of Aberdeen

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    74%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    74%Satisfaction86%

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 →

University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Undergraduate and PGDE

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Heriot-Watt University is about £720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £1,180 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 of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Ancient Languages, Management, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, French, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, Business Studies, Psychology (General) and 21 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Aberdeen better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £25,000 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Heriot-Watt University and 90% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Food Production & Technology, Statistics, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology, Technology & Logistics and 7 more.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 47 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, English Studies, Anthropology, Politics & International Relations, Celtic Studies, History, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training and 39 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 of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses