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.
Edinburgh · QS World #325
Lincoln · 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
4/10
Lincoln
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Lincoln is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, employment, courses.
Heriot-Watt University vs University of Lincoln at a glance
Heriot-Watt University and University of Lincoln both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Chemistry. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Lincoln offers 343 courses across 81 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,300 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £1,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,800 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £5,380 a year cheaper.
Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 8 and University of Lincoln in 0, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £23,000 from University of Lincoln. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lincoln is higher in 8 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.
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 Lincoln
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Lincoln
47 countries · 20.5% international
- 🇮🇳India34.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan24.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria22.2%
- 🇻🇳Vietnam2.4%
- 🇨🇳China2.2%
Subjects
31 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 Lincoln
Mathematics
18 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £18,300 (UG)
Computer Science
12 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £18,300 (UG)
Chemistry
7 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £18,300 (UG)
Design & Fashion
11 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £18,300 (UG)
Physics
5 coursesTypical fee £25,810 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £18,300 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Mechanical Engineering
Psychology (General)
Building & Construction
10 coursesTypical fee £20,080 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Finance & Actuarial Science
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Accounting
Chemical Engineering
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Marketing
Also taught at both: Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Studies, General Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Economics, Architecture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Biotechnology.
Only at Heriot-Watt University
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 Lincoln
- £18,300
University of Lincoln is about £1,780 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Heriot-Watt University
- £24,180
- University of Lincoln
- £18,800
University of Lincoln is about £5,380 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 Lincoln
Mathematics
£30,500Salary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction88%Computer Science
£30,500Salary (3 years)£29,50081%Satisfaction73%Chemistry
£27,000Salary (3 years)£21,00096%Satisfaction77%Design & Fashion
£20,000Salary (3 years)£20,00078%Satisfaction87%Physics
£25,500Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction89%Mechanical Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£30,50083%Satisfaction89%Psychology (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£21,50081%Satisfaction82%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£24,500Salary (3 years)£23,00089%Satisfaction95%Accounting
£26,000Salary (3 years)£26,00074%Satisfaction91%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£30,50083%Satisfaction85%Marketing
£26,500Salary (3 years)£25,00082%Satisfaction94%General Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)£30,50085%Satisfaction85%
Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveHeriot-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
University of Lincoln
Chevening Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Canada Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
European Union Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
South Asia Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
South East Asia Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Heriot-Watt University vs University of Lincoln: common questions
Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Lincoln cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,300 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £1,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,800 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £5,380 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 Lincoln?
Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Physics, Business & Management (General), Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting and 19 more.
Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Lincoln better for Computer Science?
Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £29,500 from University of Lincoln. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 73% at University of Lincoln. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Heriot-Watt University or University of Lincoln offer more courses?
University of Lincoln lists 343 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.
What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at University of Lincoln?
Heriot-Watt University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Lincoln does not, including Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Management, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Planning & Housing and 9 more.
What can you study at University of Lincoln but not at Heriot-Watt University?
University of Lincoln teaches 50 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Animal Science, Law, Politics & International Relations, Journalism, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, History and 42 more.
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