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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 Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

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.

7/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Brighton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Brighton at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Brighton both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £2,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £5,390 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Brighton is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £23,500 from University of Brighton. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Brighton is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#901
#401
THE World
#601
#41
Guardian UK
#68
1821
Established
1858
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 of Brighton

82%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
14.3%

International

International student share

214
255

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
22

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

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%

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 Brighton

Also taught at both: Management, Psychology (General), Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Ecology & Conservation, General Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Statistics, Economics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Planning & Housing, Computing & IT, Technology & Logistics, Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Brighton

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 Brighton
£17,250

University of Brighton is about £2,830 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Brighton
£18,790

University of Brighton is about £5,390 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 Brighton

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    78%Satisfaction80%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction81%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    74%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    74%Satisfaction77%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction74%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction75%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    74%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Brighton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £2,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £5,390 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 Brighton?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 21 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Brighton better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £23,500 from University of Brighton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 80% at University of Brighton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Brighton lists 255 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Asian Languages & Studies and 7 more.

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

University of Brighton teaches 38 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Law, Pharmacy, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography and 30 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 Brighton255 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses