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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 Greater Manchester

Bolton

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/7

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

Greater Manchester

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Greater Manchester is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Greater Manchester at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Greater Manchester both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Education Studies, Psychology (General) and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Greater Manchester offers 281 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £2,580 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 Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £6,680 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 11 and University of Greater Manchester in 0. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £31,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £21,000 from University of Greater Manchester. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Greater Manchester is higher in 8 and Heriot-Watt University in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
—
#401
THE World
—
#41
Guardian UK
—
1821
Established
2024
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 Greater Manchester

82%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
25.4%

International

International student share

214
281

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
5

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

Greater Manchester

30 countries · 25.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria46.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan17.7%
  • 🇮🇳India10.8%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh6.6%

Subjects

24 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 Greater Manchester

Also taught at both: Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Software Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Applied Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Technology & Logistics, General Engineering, Biotechnology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Greater Manchester

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 Greater Manchester
£17,500

University of Greater Manchester is about £2,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Greater Manchester
£17,500

University of Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction98%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    74%Satisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    76%Satisfaction93%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    73%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    89%Satisfaction100%

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 Greater Manchester

Bolton Sports Bursary 2020/21

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Experienced Bursary 21-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Leavers Bursary 2020/2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Bolton Master's Bursary 2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The University of Greater Manchester Group Progression Scholarship 2021-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Greater Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £2,580 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 Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Education Studies, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management, Accounting, Computing & IT, Finance & Actuarial Science and 12 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Greater Manchester better for Psychology (General)?

Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £18,000 from University of Greater Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 86% at University of Greater Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or University of Greater Manchester offer more courses?

University of Greater Manchester lists 281 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Greater Manchester does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Business Studies, Food Production & Technology, French and 16 more.

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

University of Greater Manchester teaches 32 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Dentistry, Dance, Law, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Social Work and 24 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 Greater Manchester281 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses