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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

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 South Wales is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of South Wales at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of South Wales both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and Design & Fashion. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £3,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £6,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 13 and University of South Wales in 3. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £19,000 from University of South Wales. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
#1201
#41
Guardian UK
#83
1821
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

82%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
22%

International

International student share

214
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

24 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Business Studies, Management, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £3,880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £6,280 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 South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of South Wales: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £3,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £6,280 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering and 12 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 24 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Ecology & Conservation, Economics and 16 more.

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

University of South Wales teaches 39 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Healthcare Science, Law, Nursing (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science and 31 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses