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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 Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

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.

6/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Essex at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Essex both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £300 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 4. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex 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
#438
#401
THE World
#301
#41
Guardian UK
#44
1821
Established
1964
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 Essex

82%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
33.7%

International

International student share

214
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
30

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

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.2%
  • 🇨🇳China11.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%

Subjects

26 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 Essex

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Statistics, Biomedical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Essex

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 Essex
£21,500

Heriot-Watt University is about £1,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £300 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 Essex

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction81%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    74%Satisfaction77%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    74%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction75%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    74%Satisfaction82%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 Essex

Access Essex Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme 2026-27 (Masters plus PhD)

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Essex MBA Dean's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £300 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 Essex?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Management and 14 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £29,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 95% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering and 14 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 48 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, English Literature and 40 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 Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses