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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

7/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Sunderland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction, international.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Sunderland at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Sunderland both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Design & Fashion. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £2,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 12 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 6 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1501
#41
Guardian UK
#86
1821
Established
1901
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 Sunderland

82%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
36.5%

International

International student share

214
193

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

24 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Economics, Education Studies, Human Resource Management, Games Design & Computer Animation, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £2,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £7,180 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 Sunderland

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    74%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction92%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction76%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    74%Satisfaction92%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    73%Satisfaction92%

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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £2,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,180 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Psychology (General), Accounting, Marketing and 12 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of Sunderland better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £25,500 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Heriot-Watt University and 78% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Physics, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 16 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 32 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Journalism, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Fine Art and 24 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses