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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

2/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Oxford at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Oxford both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Ancient Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies and French. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Heriot-Watt University is about £23,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £38,430 at University of Oxford: Heriot-Watt University is about £14,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £51,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 7 and Heriot-Watt University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#4
#401
THE World
#1
#41
Guardian UK
#1
1821
Established
1096
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 Oxford

82%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
37.2%

International

International student share

214
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

28 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Economics, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Chemical Engineering, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Management, Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Ecology & Conservation, Education Studies.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

Heriot-Watt University is about £23,520 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Oxford
£38,430

Heriot-Watt University is about £14,250 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 Oxford

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    81%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction94%

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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Heriot-Watt University is about £23,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £38,430 at University of Oxford: Heriot-Watt University is about £14,250 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Ancient Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, General Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering and 16 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Oxford better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £32,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Heriot-Watt University and 85% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, Marketing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology and 12 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 51 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Classical Studies, History, Childhood & Youth Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, English Studies, Italian, Linguistics and 43 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses