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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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.

5/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Liverpool

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Liverpool leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Liverpool at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Liverpool both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Asian Languages & Studies and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Heriot-Watt University is about £11,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,820 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Liverpool is higher in 11 and Heriot-Watt University in 9, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Planning & Housing: £29,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £24,500 from University of Liverpool. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 15 and Heriot-Watt University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#139
#401
THE World
#143
#41
Guardian UK
#28
1821
Established
1881
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Liverpool

82%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
24.1%

International

International student share

214
793

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
2

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

35 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Psychology (General), General Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Management, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Architecture, Computing & IT, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Human Resource Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biological Sciences (General).

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

Heriot-Watt University is about £11,920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Liverpool
£30,000

Heriot-Watt University is about £5,820 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 Liverpool

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction75%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    74%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Heriot-Watt University is about £11,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,820 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Mathematics, Asian Languages & Studies, Computer Science, Business Studies, French, Physics, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Economics and 23 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £26,500 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 82% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, Statistics, Applied Psychology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Technology & Logistics, Biotechnology and 5 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 59 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Music, Archaeology, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, History, Media & Film Studies, Law, English Studies and 51 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses