Skip to main content

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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

1/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Southampton

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Southampton both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,020 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 20 and Heriot-Watt University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#111
#401
THE World
#129
#41
Guardian UK
#16
1821
Established
1862
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 Southampton

82%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
35.1%

International

International student share

214
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

38 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Building & Construction, Business Studies, Economics, Marketing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Statistics, Education Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Technology & Logistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

Heriot-Watt University is about £5,920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Southampton
£31,200

Heriot-Watt University is about £7,020 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Heriot-Watt University is about £5,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,020 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Chemical Engineering, Physics and 26 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Heriot-Watt University and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 10 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Food Production & Technology, French, Planning & Housing, German & Scandinavian Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, British Sign Language & Scots and 2 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 53 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, History, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Law and 45 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses