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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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

Plymouth

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 Plymouth is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Plymouth both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Design & Fashion and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £4,680 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 15 and University of Plymouth in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Statistics: £36,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £25,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#691
#401
THE World
#501
#41
Guardian UK
#56
1821
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Plymouth

82%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
11.9%

International

International student share

214
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

33 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Accounting, Statistics, Marketing, Economics, Software Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, General Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Engineering.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £4,680 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 Plymouth

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction77%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction72%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    96%Satisfaction97%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £4,680 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Mathematics, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Mechanical Engineering and 21 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £25,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 86% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Ancient Languages, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Computing & IT, German & Scandinavian Studies and 7 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 45 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Sociology & Criminology, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 37 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses