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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Exeter

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Exeter at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Exeter both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Physics and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £24,950 at University of Exeter: Heriot-Watt University is about £4,870 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,550 at University of Exeter: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,370 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 15 and Heriot-Watt University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £43,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#136
#401
THE World
#170
#41
Guardian UK
#14
1821
Established
1922
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Exeter

82%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
22.2%

International

International student share

214
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

34 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Building & Construction, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, French, Statistics, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Applied Psychology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Education Studies.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

Heriot-Watt University is about £4,870 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Exeter
£25,550

Heriot-Watt University is about £1,370 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 Exeter

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction59%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£43,500
    74%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 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 Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £24,950 at University of Exeter: Heriot-Watt University is about £4,870 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,550 at University of Exeter: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,370 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Mathematics, Physics, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Economics, Psychology (General), Chemical Engineering and 22 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £32,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 14 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Design & Fashion, Chemistry, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Architecture, Asian Languages & Studies and 6 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 57 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Classical Studies, English Studies, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology and 49 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses