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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

4/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Nottingham

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Nottingham at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Nottingham both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Heriot-Watt University is about £12,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Heriot-Watt University is about £6,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 17 and Heriot-Watt University in 1. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £33,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Nottingham is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#97
#401
THE World
#145
#41
Guardian UK
#21
1821
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

82%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
21.1%

International

International student share

214
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

37 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management, Architecture, Biotechnology, Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Food Production & Technology, French, Marketing, Statistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biomedical Engineering, Education Studies, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

Heriot-Watt University is about £12,920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Nottingham
£30,800

Heriot-Watt University is about £6,620 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 Nottingham

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    74%Satisfaction79%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Heriot-Watt University is about £12,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Heriot-Watt University is about £6,620 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, Ancient Languages, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General) and 25 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Nottingham better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £35,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Heriot-Watt University and 86% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, German & Scandinavian Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biological Sciences (General), British Sign Language & Scots and 3 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 61 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Philosophy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences and 53 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses