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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 Hertfordshire

Hatfield · QS World #851

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

Hertfordshire

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Hertfordshire at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Hertfordshire both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Design & Fashion. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Hertfordshire offers 468 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £4,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £6,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 8 and University of Hertfordshire in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £27,500 from University of Hertfordshire. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Hertfordshire is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#851
#401
THE World
#601
#41
Guardian UK
#69
1821
Established
1952
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 Hertfordshire

82%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
57.5%

International

International student share

214
468

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

Hertfordshire

77 countries · 57.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India44.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.5%
  • 🇨🇳China1.8%

Subjects

33 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 Hertfordshire

Also taught at both: Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Software Engineering, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Economics, Architecture, Computing & IT, Education Studies, Biomedical Engineering.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Hertfordshire

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 Hertfordshire
£15,500

University of Hertfordshire is about £4,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Hertfordshire
£18,000

University of Hertfordshire is about £6,180 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 Hertfordshire

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction85%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction67%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 Hertfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Hertfordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £4,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £6,180 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 Hertfordshire?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing and 21 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Hertfordshire better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £32,000 from University of Hertfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 78% at University of Hertfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Hertfordshire lists 468 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Hertfordshire does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Management, Food Production & Technology, French, Planning & Housing, Applied Psychology and 7 more.

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

University of Hertfordshire teaches 53 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Clinical Specialities, Politics & International Relations, Music, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies and 45 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 Hertfordshire468 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses