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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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Kent

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Kent is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Kent at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Kent both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Finance & Actuarial Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,500 at University of Kent: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £3,480 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Kent is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £41,500 from University of Kent. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 9 and University of Kent 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
#415
#401
THE World
#401
#41
Guardian UK
#47
1821
Established
1965
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 Kent

82%
84%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
16%

International

International student share

214
335

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

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%

Subjects

32 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 Kent

Also taught at both: Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, French, Biomedical Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biotechnology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500

Heriot-Watt University is about £3,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Kent
£20,700

University of Kent is about £3,480 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 Kent

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    74%Satisfaction81%

  • Ancient Languages

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

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    74%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction82%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    74%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 Kent

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Kent: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,500 at University of Kent: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £3,480 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 Kent?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Economics, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Accounting, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Applied Psychology and 20 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £37,000 from University of Kent. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 79% at University of Kent. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Kent lists 335 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Computing & IT and 8 more.

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

University of Kent teaches 31 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Biology, Law, History, Biochemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Forensic Science and 23 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 Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses