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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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

Salford

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 Salford is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Salford at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Salford both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Building & Construction. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £3,040 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £6,470 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 17 and University of Salford in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £21,000 from University of Salford. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Salford 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
#1001
#401
THE World
#801
#41
Guardian UK
#82
1821
Established
1896
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 Salford

82%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
19.1%

International

International student share

214
305

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

Subjects

32 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 Salford

Also taught at both: Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Applied Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, British Sign Language & Scots, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040

University of Salford is about £3,040 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Salford
£17,710

University of Salford is about £6,470 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 Salford

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    No dataSatisfaction74%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction76%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    74%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    82%Satisfaction71%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    85%Satisfaction69%

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 Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Salford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £3,040 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £6,470 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 Salford?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Physics, Chemistry, Marketing and 20 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Salford better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £21,500 from University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Salford lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Economics, Planning & Housing, Computing & IT and 8 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 40 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment and 32 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 Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses