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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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

Derby

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 Derby is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Derby at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Derby both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Civil Engineering. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 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 Derby: University of Derby is about £3,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £6,680 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 14 and University of Derby in 1. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £21,000 from University of Derby. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
#601
#41
Guardian UK
#80
1821
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Derby

82%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
14.3%

International

International student share

214
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

Subjects

30 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 Derby

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physics, Architecture, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Computing & IT, Ecology & Conservation, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Zoology & Animal Biology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

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

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £6,680 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 Derby

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    78%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    81%Satisfaction73%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    74%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    76%Satisfaction78%

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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Derby: common questions

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Derby 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 Derby: University of Derby is about £3,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £6,680 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Marketing, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Building & Construction, Economics and 18 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £21,000 from University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering and 10 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 44 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, English Studies, Law, Media & Film Studies, Health & Social Care, History, Adult Nursing and 36 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses