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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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Oban

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/7

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Ancient Languages, Mathematics and Computer Science. Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 16 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 0. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £33,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £21,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is higher in 9 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
—
#401
THE World
—
#41
Guardian UK
—
1821
Established
2011
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

82%
90.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
85%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
2.1%

International

International student share

214
244

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
11

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

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

17 countries · 2.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States11.1%
  • 🌐Brunei8.3%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada5.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%

Subjects

27 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Also taught at both: Management, Physics, Psychology (General), Aerospace Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Architecture, German & Scandinavian Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£15,500
    78%Satisfaction65%

  • Building & Construction

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction100%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£15,500
    89%Satisfaction79%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    74%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    No dataSatisfaction85%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: Oct 2026

Scottish Land Commission Prize

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

Barns-Graham Assistance Award

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

Dorothy Dunnett Centenary Awards

£1,000

Deadline: Dec 2026

Rural and Islands Bursary Fund

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): common questions

What subjects can you study at both Heriot-Watt University and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry and 15 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £24,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Heriot-Watt University and 90% at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offer more courses?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

What can you study at Heriot-Watt University but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Heriot-Watt University teaches 21 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Food Production & Technology, French, Marketing, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 13 more.

What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at Heriot-Watt University?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 43 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Teacher Training, Cultural Studies, Archaeology, History, Agriculture & Land Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Music, English Literature and 35 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)244 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses