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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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.

1/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Glasgow

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Glasgow leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Glasgow at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Glasgow both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Management and Psychology (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £9,020 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Glasgow is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 7, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Physics: £25,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £30,000 from University of Glasgow. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 11 and University of Glasgow in 11.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#80
#401
THE World
#84
#41
Guardian UK
#12
1821
Established
1451
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
—

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 Glasgow

82%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
35.9%

International

International student share

214
1022

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
4

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

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%

Subjects

38 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 Glasgow

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, German & Scandinavian Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Statistics, Software Engineering, Building & Construction, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biotechnology, Marketing, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, British Sign Language & Scots, Human Resource Management, Zoology & Animal Biology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Glasgow

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 Glasgow
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Glasgow
£15,160

University of Glasgow is about £9,020 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 Glasgow

  • Mathematics

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

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    74%Satisfaction73%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction91%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    92%Satisfaction79%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    74%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Glasgow: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £9,020 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 Glasgow?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Mathematics, Management, Psychology (General), Physics, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, French, Education Studies and 26 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £30,500 from University of Glasgow. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 82% at University of Glasgow. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 10 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including Food Production & Technology, Applied Psychology, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Architecture, Asian Languages & Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Food & Beverage Studies and 2 more.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 59 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including History, Spanish & Portuguese, Law, Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, Politics & International Relations, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training and 51 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 Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses