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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 Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

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.

4/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Sheffield both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#82
#401
THE World
#108
#41
Guardian UK
#19
1821
Established
1905
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Sheffield

82%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
28.1%

International

International student share

214
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
2

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

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China45.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%

Subjects

35 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 Sheffield

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Accounting, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Management, Marketing, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Applied Psychology, Technology & Logistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Sheffield

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 Sheffield
£25,830

Heriot-Watt University is about £5,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Heriot-Watt University is about £7,180 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 Sheffield

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

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

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    74%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

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 Sheffield

International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

£3,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Access to Sheffield Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,180 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 Sheffield?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Building & Construction, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and 23 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £29,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 90% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Design & Fashion, Food Production & Technology, French, Ecology & Conservation, Computing & IT, German & Scandinavian Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biotechnology and 5 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 42 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, History, Law, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry and 34 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 Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses