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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 East London

London · QS World #1001

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

East London

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Heriot-Watt University vs University of East London at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of East London both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering and Building & Construction. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of East London offers 386 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £15,560 at University of East London: University of East London is about £4,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,220 at University of East London: University of East London is about £6,960 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 13 and University of East London in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £33,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £22,000 from University of East London. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of East London is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#1001
#401
THE World
#1001
#41
Guardian UK
#111
1821
Established
1892
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 East London

82%
89.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
78.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
49.4%

International

International student share

214
386

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

East London

76 countries · 49.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India60.2%
  • 🌐Nepal18.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria2.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka1.7%

Subjects

29 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 East London

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Computing & IT, Software Engineering, Architecture, Economics, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of East London

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 East London
£15,560

University of East London is about £4,520 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of East London
£17,220

University of East London is about £6,960 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 East London

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    74%Satisfaction96%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    74%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    74%Satisfaction99%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 East London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of East London: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £15,560 at University of East London: University of East London is about £4,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,220 at University of East London: University of East London is about £6,960 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 East London?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Accounting, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management and 17 more.

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

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £20,000 from University of East London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 84% at University of East London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or University of East London offer more courses?

University of East London lists 386 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 19 subject areas that University of East London does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Planning & Housing and 11 more.

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

University of East London teaches 35 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations and 27 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 East London386 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses