Skip to main content

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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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.

6/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Chester

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Chester is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Chester at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Chester both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Ancient Languages. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £5,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £8,680 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 13 and University of Chester in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £21,500 from University of Chester. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Chester is higher in 7 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
—
#401
THE World
#1501
#41
Guardian UK
#91
1821
Established
1839
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 Chester

82%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
28.7%

International

International student share

214
329

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

28 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 Chester

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Applied Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, French, Games Design & Computer Animation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Education Studies, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Asian Languages & Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

University of Chester is about £5,130 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Chester
£15,500

University of Chester is about £8,680 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 Chester

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    No dataSatisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%SatisfactionNo data

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    78%Satisfaction82%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    74%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction69%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    73%Satisfaction66%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Chester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £5,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £8,680 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 Chester?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Chemical Engineering, Building & Construction, Marketing, Software Engineering and 16 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £21,500 from University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Chester lists 329 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Management, Physics, Food Production & Technology, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 12 more.

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

University of Chester teaches 45 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Politics & International Relations, Archaeology, Geography (General), Nutrition & Dietetics and 37 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 Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses