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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 Lancashire

Preston · QS World #1001

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.

7/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Lancashire

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Lancashire is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Lancashire at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Lancashire both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Design & Fashion. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £2,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,930 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 19 and University of Lancashire in 1. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £31,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £24,500 from University of Lancashire. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lancashire is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#1001
#401
THE World
#1001
#41
Guardian UK
#76
1821
Established
1828
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 Lancashire

82%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
20.5%

International

International student share

214
363

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
15

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

Lancashire

74 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
  • 🌐Nepal6.6%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.4%

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 Lancashire

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Asian Languages & Studies, Marketing, Software Engineering, Education Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Food Production & Technology, Architecture, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, British Sign Language & Scots.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Lancashire

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 Lancashire
£17,330

University of Lancashire is about £2,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Lancashire
£19,250

University of Lancashire is about £4,930 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 Lancashire

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    81%Satisfaction71%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    78%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction82%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    74%Satisfaction71%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 Lancashire

Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers

100%

Deadline: N/A

Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Estranged Student Support

See details

Deadline: N/A

Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Lancashire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £2,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,930 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 Lancashire?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Design & Fashion, Ancient Languages, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Business & Management (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Accounting, Business Studies and 20 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £24,500 from University of Lancashire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 71% at University of Lancashire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Lancashire lists 363 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, French, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Economics, Planning & Housing, Applied Psychology and 8 more.

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

University of Lancashire teaches 50 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Medicine, Music, Social Work, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Adult Nursing, Social Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography and 42 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 Lancashire363 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses