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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 Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

2/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Birmingham both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Ancient Languages and Civil Engineering. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,010 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £790 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and Heriot-Watt University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 11 and University of Birmingham in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#68
#401
THE World
#98
#41
Guardian UK
#18
1821
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 of Birmingham

82%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
31.2%

International

International student share

214
663

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

36 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 Birmingham

Also taught at both: Education Studies, French, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Planning & Housing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Food Production & Technology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Statistics, Applied Psychology, Aerospace Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Biotechnology, Computing & IT, Toxicology, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of 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 of Birmingham
£27,090

Heriot-Watt University is about £7,010 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £790 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 Birmingham

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    No dataSatisfaction79%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    74%Satisfaction80%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,010 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £790 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 Birmingham?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemical Engineering, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 24 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Birmingham better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £31,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 85% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, Technology & Logistics, Architecture, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering and 4 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 65 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development and 57 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 Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses