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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 Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

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.

3/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Surrey both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Civil Engineering and Physics. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Heriot-Watt University is about £9,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,720 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 17 and Heriot-Watt University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 10 and Heriot-Watt University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#246
#401
THE World
#201
#41
Guardian UK
#24
1821
Established
1966
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 Surrey

82%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
20.2%

International

International student share

214
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
36

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

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

  • 🇮🇳India25%
  • 🇨🇳China8.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.1%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.2%

Subjects

30 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 Surrey

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Aerospace Engineering, French, Biomedical Engineering, General Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Games Design & Computer Animation, Technology & Logistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Surrey

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 Surrey
£30,000

Heriot-Watt University is about £9,920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Surrey
£25,900

Heriot-Watt University is about £1,720 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 Surrey

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    74%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    74%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 Surrey

The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

Machine learning enhanced muon imaging for nuclear waste monitoring and safeguards

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Nanoscale standardisation of DNA damage for Emerging Isotopes in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Understanding the dynamics of space radiation hazards using measurements from novel in-situ detectors

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

AI for proton-acoustics for real-time 3D dosimetry of proton therapy

£25,805

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Heriot-Watt University is about £9,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Heriot-Watt University is about £1,720 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 Surrey?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemical Engineering, Accounting, Economics and 18 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £34,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Food Production & Technology, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing and 10 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 32 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Law, Politics & International Relations, Music, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Sociology & Criminology, English Literature 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 Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses