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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

2/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Leeds

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Leeds at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Leeds both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Mathematics and Physics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Heriot-Watt University is about £13,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 21 and Heriot-Watt University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £42,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leeds is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#77
#401
THE World
#118
#41
Guardian UK
#15
1821
Established
1904
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Leeds

82%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
31.5%

International

International student share

214
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Marketing, Asian Languages & Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Psychology (General), Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biological Sciences (General), Planning & Housing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, French, Human Resource Management, Biotechnology, General Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, German & Scandinavian Studies, Architecture.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

Heriot-Watt University is about £13,620 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Leeds
£31,500

Heriot-Watt University is about £7,320 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 Leeds

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

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

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

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

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    78%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    74%Satisfaction93%

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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Heriot-Watt University is about £13,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,320 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Management, Chemical Engineering and 26 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Leeds better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £31,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Heriot-Watt University and 89% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 10 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Building & Construction, Accounting, Food Production & Technology, Computing & IT, Technology & Logistics, British Sign Language & Scots, Food & Beverage Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation and 2 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 72 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Law, Music, Sociology & Criminology, History, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Personal & Professional Development and 64 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses