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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 Bedfordshire

Luton · Guardian UK #99

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.

7/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Bedfordshire

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Bedfordshire is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Bedfordshire at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Bedfordshire both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Bedfordshire offers 306 courses across 59 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £16,900 at University of Bedfordshire: University of Bedfordshire is about £3,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 10 and University of Bedfordshire in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £20,000 from University of Bedfordshire. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bedfordshire is higher in 8 and Heriot-Watt University in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1001
#41
Guardian UK
#99
1821
Established
1882
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Bronze

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 Bedfordshire

82%
88.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
77%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
30.1%

International

International student share

214
306

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

Bedfordshire

31 countries · 30.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India56.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan10.2%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.9%
  • 🇷🇴Romania4.6%

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

University of Bedfordshire

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Economics, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Bedfordshire

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 Bedfordshire
£16,900

University of Bedfordshire is about £3,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Bedfordshire
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Bedfordshire 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 of Bedfordshire

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    78%Satisfaction73%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    74%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction99%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    73%Satisfaction79%

  • Mechanical Engineering

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

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 Bedfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Bedfordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £16,900 at University of Bedfordshire: University of Bedfordshire is about £3,180 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 Bedfordshire?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Accounting, Building & Construction, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Marketing, Education Studies, Human Resource Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 14 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Bedfordshire better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £22,000 from University of Bedfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bedfordshire lists 306 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Bedfordshire does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Management, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French and 14 more.

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

University of Bedfordshire teaches 33 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Sociology & Criminology, Pharmacology, Teacher Training, Health & Social Care and 25 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 Bedfordshire306 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses