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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

1/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on employment.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of St Andrews at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of St Andrews both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being French, German & Scandinavian Studies and Ancient Languages. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Heriot-Watt University is about £10,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,020 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 12 and Heriot-Watt University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#115
#401
THE World
#162
#41
Guardian UK
#3
1821
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

82%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
46.1%

International

International student share

214
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

23 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Business Studies, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Zoology & Animal Biology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

Heriot-Watt University is about £10,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of St Andrews
£27,200

Heriot-Watt University is about £3,020 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 St Andrews

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    74%SatisfactionNo data

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Statistics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of St Andrews: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Heriot-Watt University is about £10,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,020 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages, Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Management, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Statistics, Business & Management (General) and 11 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of St Andrews better for French?

French graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £29,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Heriot-Watt University and 95% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 25 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Production & Technology and 17 more.

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

University of St Andrews teaches 41 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Italian, History, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Theology & Religious 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses