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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 York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/11

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

York

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, courses). Heriot-Watt University is ahead on established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship.

Heriot-Watt University vs University of York at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and University of York both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £27,500 at University of York: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £27,250 at University of York: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,070 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 14 and Heriot-Watt University in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £40,000 from University of York. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of York is higher in 8 and Heriot-Watt University in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
#158
#401
THE World
#154
#41
Guardian UK
#20
1821
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

82%
87.1%

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%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18.6%

International

International student share

214
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

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 York

Also taught at both: French, Accounting, German & Scandinavian Studies, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Technology & Logistics, Architecture, Biotechnology.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

Heriot-Watt University is about £7,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
University of York
£27,250

Heriot-Watt University is about £3,070 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 York

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    81%Satisfaction73%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    74%Satisfaction74%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    92%Satisfaction75%

  • French

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £27,500 at University of York: Heriot-Watt University is about £7,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £27,250 at University of York: Heriot-Watt University is about £3,070 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 York?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Ancient Languages, Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Management, Civil Engineering and 21 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £28,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Heriot-Watt University and 86% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 15 subject areas that University of York does not, including Food Production & Technology, Statistics, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computing & IT, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies and 7 more.

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

University of York teaches 49 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Philosophy, Politics & International Relations, Music, Archaeology, English Studies, Law, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sociology & Criminology and 41 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses