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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 Northampton

Northampton · QS World #1201

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.

7/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Northampton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Northampton is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Northampton at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Northampton both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Northampton offers 221 courses across 60 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £5,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 9 and University of Northampton in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £23,500 from University of Northampton. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Northampton is higher in 6 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
#1501
#41
Guardian UK
#93
1821
Established
1975
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Northampton

82%
86%

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%
82.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
16.4%

International

International student share

214
221

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
0

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

Northampton

35 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria18.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.2%
  • 🌐Nepal8.3%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana4.1%

Subjects

22 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 Northampton

Also taught at both: Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Northampton

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 Northampton
No data

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

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Northampton
£19,000

University of Northampton is about £5,180 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 Northampton

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    78%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    81%Satisfaction75%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    81%Satisfaction72%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction99%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    76%Satisfaction76%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 Northampton

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Northampton: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £5,180 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 Northampton?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Accounting, Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 10 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Northampton better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £20,000 from University of Northampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 91% at University of Northampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Northampton lists 221 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Northampton does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Management, Physics and 18 more.

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

University of Northampton teaches 38 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Counselling & Psychotherapy, Law, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Fine Art, Journalism, Film Production & Cinematography and 30 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 Northampton221 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses