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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 Stirling

Stirling · QS World #560

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.

8/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Stirling

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Stirling is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Stirling at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Stirling both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Psychology (General) and Accounting. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Stirling offers 254 courses across 60 subject areas.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 11 and University of Stirling in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £23,500 from University of Stirling. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Stirling is higher in 7 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
#560
#401
THE World
#501
#41
Guardian UK
#50
1821
Established
1967
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 Stirling

82%
85%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£31,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
80.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18.4%

International

International student share

214
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
0

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

Stirling

75 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15%
  • 🇺🇸United States13.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.8%

Subjects

19 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 Stirling

Also taught at both: Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Education Studies.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Stirling

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 Stirling
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Stirling
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.

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 Stirling

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    85%Satisfaction73%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    74%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction68%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    74%Satisfaction75%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction81%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    74%Satisfaction82%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction79%

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 Stirling

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Stirling: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Heriot-Watt University and University of Stirling?

Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Mathematics, Psychology (General), Accounting, Business Studies, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, French, Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Economics, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 7 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £23,500 from University of Stirling. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 73% at University of Stirling. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Stirling lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 29 subject areas that University of Stirling does not, including Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 21 more.

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

University of Stirling teaches 41 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, History, Law, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Journalism 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 Stirling254 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses