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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 Staffordshire

Stoke-on-Trent · Guardian UK #92

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Staffordshire

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Staffordshire is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Staffordshire at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Staffordshire both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Games Design & Computer Animation, Design & Fashion and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Staffordshire offers 287 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,090 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £2,990 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,500 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £6,680 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 13 and University of Staffordshire in 1. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £26,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £20,000 from University of Staffordshire. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Staffordshire is higher in 9 and Heriot-Watt University in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1201
#41
Guardian UK
#92
1821
Established
1914
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 Staffordshire

82%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£26,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
87.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
4.1%

International

International student share

214
287

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
1

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

Staffordshire

26 countries · 4.1% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan29.8%
  • 🇮🇳India19.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.2%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka5.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

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 Staffordshire

  • Games Design & Computer Animation

    1 course

    Typical fee £25,480 (PG)

    38 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Design & Fashion

    11 courses

    Typical fee £20,080 (UG)

    23 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Business & Management (General)

    7 courses

    Typical fee £20,080 (UG)

    23 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Psychology (General)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £21,190 (UG)

    15 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Computer Science

    12 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £16,920 (UG)

  • Civil Engineering

    11 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    2 courses

    Typical fee £21,190 (UG)

    10 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Accounting

    7 courses

    Typical fee £20,080 (UG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    6 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Mechanical Engineering

    6 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Software Engineering

    3 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

    6 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    3 courses

    Typical fee £28,060 (PG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Marketing

    4 courses

    Typical fee £20,080 (UG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    3 courses

    Typical fee £25,810 (UG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    1 course

    Typical fee £28,950 (PG)

    6 courses

    Typical fee £17,090 (UG)

Also taught at both: Management, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology, Education Studies, General Engineering, Business Studies, Biotechnology, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Staffordshire

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 Staffordshire
£17,090

University of Staffordshire is about £2,990 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Staffordshire
£17,500

University of Staffordshire is about £6,680 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 Staffordshire

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction63%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction75%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction100%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    74%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    73%Satisfaction74%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    82%Satisfaction75%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    76%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 Staffordshire

Smart Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Staffordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,090 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £2,990 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,500 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £6,680 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 Staffordshire?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Games Design & Computer Animation, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 11 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Staffordshire better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £19,000 from University of Staffordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 88% at University of Staffordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Staffordshire lists 287 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Staffordshire does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Physics, Food Production & Technology and 17 more.

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

University of Staffordshire teaches 29 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Computing, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Fine Art and 21 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 Staffordshire287 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses