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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 Lincoln

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

VS

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.

#325
QS World
#851
#401
THE World
#601
#41
Guardian UK
#38
1821
Established
1861
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 Lincoln

82%
84.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
20.5%

International

International student share

214
343

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
21

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

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

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.

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 data
    85%Satisfaction88%
  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    81%Satisfaction73%
  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction77%
  • Design & Fashion

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

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction89%
  • Mechanical Engineering

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

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    81%Satisfaction82%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%
  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    74%Satisfaction91%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction85%
  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction94%
  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 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

View all scholarships →

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.

Ready to explore courses?

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