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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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.

4/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Leicester

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leicester leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Leicester at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Leicester both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Ancient Languages. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,100 at University of Leicester: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,020 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leicester is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £36,000 from University of Leicester. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leicester is higher in 8 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#314
#401
THE World
#192
#41
Guardian UK
#30
1821
Established
1921
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Leicester

82%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
19.3%

International

International student share

214
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

28 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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Economics, Management, Marketing, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Business Studies, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Human Resource Management, Biotechnology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100

Heriot-Watt University is about £5,020 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Leicester
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester yet.

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 Leicester

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction79%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction96%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

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

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

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 Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,100 at University of Leicester: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,020 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Ancient Languages, Biological Sciences (General), Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, General Engineering and 16 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Leicester better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £33,000 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 79% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leicester lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, French, Ecology & Conservation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing and 12 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 44 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, History, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism and 36 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 Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses