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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

3/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Manchester both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Chemical Engineering and Physics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Heriot-Watt University is about £12,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 17 and Heriot-Watt University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 10 and University of Manchester in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#40
#401
THE World
#56
#41
Guardian UK
#29
1821
Established
1824
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 Manchester

82%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
40%

International

International student share

214
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
6

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

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

40 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 Manchester

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Accounting, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Applied Psychology, Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300

Heriot-Watt University is about £12,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Manchester
£26,800

Heriot-Watt University is about £2,620 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 Manchester

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Statistics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Heriot-Watt University is about £12,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,620 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 Manchester?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Management, Economics, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Statistics, Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion and 28 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £31,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 83% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 8 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Food Production & Technology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Technology & Logistics, British Sign Language & Scots, Food & Beverage Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation and Toxicology.

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

University of Manchester teaches 76 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Materials Science, Sociology & Criminology, Public Health & Epidemiology, History and 68 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 Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses