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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 Reading

Reading · QS World #196

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.

3/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Reading at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Reading both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,770 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,270 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 14 and Heriot-Watt University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#196
#401
THE World
#201
#41
Guardian UK
#33
1821
Established
1892
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 Reading

82%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18%

International

International student share

214
448

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

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

  • 🇨🇳China26%
  • 🇮🇳India6.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%

Subjects

29 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 Reading

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Biological Sciences (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Planning & Housing, Food Production & Technology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Education Studies, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biotechnology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Reading

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 Reading
£25,850

Heriot-Watt University is about £5,770 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Reading
£26,450

Heriot-Watt University is about £2,270 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 Reading

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

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

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    No dataSatisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    78%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction77%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    82%Satisfaction76%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    81%Satisfaction76%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction98%

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 Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,770 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,270 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 Reading?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Economics, Building & Construction, Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, Chemistry, Marketing, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Civil Engineering and 17 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Reading better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £38,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at Heriot-Watt University and 83% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, French, Statistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and 11 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 41 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including History, Law, Agriculture & Land Management, Politics & International Relations, English Literature, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies and 33 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 Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses