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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 Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

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.

5/10

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Sussex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University and University of Sussex are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Sussex on ranking, satisfaction, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Sussex at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of Sussex both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Finance & Actuarial Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £680 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 13 and Heriot-Watt University in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 8 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
#273
#401
THE World
#201
#41
Guardian UK
#31
1821
Established
1961
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 Sussex

82%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
25.3%

International

International student share

214
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
2

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

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

  • 🇨🇳China21.6%
  • 🇮🇳India7.9%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.7%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey4.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.4%

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 Sussex

Also taught at both: Marketing, Chemical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Management, Software Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, General Engineering, Education Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of Sussex

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 Sussex
£23,500

Heriot-Watt University is about £3,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £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 Sussex

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    74%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 Sussex

Chancellor's International Scholarships

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Sussex Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £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 Sussex?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Economics, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 18 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £30,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 93% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Food Production & Technology, French, Statistics, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies and 10 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 46 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, History, Music and 38 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 Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses