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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 Strathclyde

Glasgow · QS World #230

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.

2/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Strathclyde

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Strathclyde at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Strathclyde both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Chemistry. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Strathclyde offers 541 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,670 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: Heriot-Watt University is about £6,070 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Strathclyde is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Statistics: £36,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £29,500 from University of Strathclyde. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Strathclyde is higher in 15 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
#230
#401
THE World
#351
#41
Guardian UK
#25
1821
Established
1796
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 Strathclyde

82%
89.6%

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%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18.8%

International

International student share

214
541

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

Strathclyde

86 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India31%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.4%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.1%
  • 🌐Oman3.8%

Subjects

33 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 Strathclyde

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Marketing, Economics, Psychology (General), Statistics, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Management, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering, Planning & Housing, Architecture, Aerospace Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biotechnology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Strathclyde

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 Strathclyde
£22,750

Heriot-Watt University is about £2,670 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Strathclyde
£30,250

Heriot-Watt University is about £6,070 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 Strathclyde

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    74%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction76%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 Strathclyde

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Strathclyde: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: Heriot-Watt University is about £2,670 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: Heriot-Watt University is about £6,070 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 Strathclyde?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physics, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies and 21 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £26,500 from University of Strathclyde. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 87% at University of Strathclyde. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Strathclyde lists 541 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Strathclyde does not, including Ancient Languages, Food Production & Technology, Ecology & Conservation, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, German & Scandinavian Studies, Technology & Logistics, Asian Languages & Studies and 7 more.

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

University of Strathclyde teaches 34 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Teacher Training, Law, English Studies, History, Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Naval Architecture and 26 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 Strathclyde541 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses