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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Portsmouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Portsmouth is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Portsmouth both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Building & Construction and Design & Fashion. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £2,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £5,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 10 and University of Portsmouth in 10, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#662
#401
THE World
#401
#41
Guardian UK
#55
1821
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

82%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
24.5%

International

International student share

214
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

34 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Psychology (General), Human Resource Management, Architecture, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physics, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Computing & IT, Planning & Housing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biotechnology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £2,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £5,580 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 Portsmouth

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

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

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    74%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    74%Satisfaction93%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    74%Satisfaction93%

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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £2,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £5,580 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Computer Science, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Ancient Languages, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Accounting, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Education Studies and 22 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Portsmouth better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 82% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 14 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Chemistry, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Aerospace Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, Technology & Logistics and 6 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 50 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Law, Social Policy & Public Policy, Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies and 42 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses