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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

Y
York St John University

York · Guardian UK #105

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.

6/9

Heriot-Watt

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

York St John

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Heriot-Watt University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). York St John University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.

Heriot-Watt University vs York St John University at a glance

Heriot-Watt University and York St John University both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Heriot-Watt University offers 214 courses across 48 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £6,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £12,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 11 and York St John University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, against £20,000 from York St John University. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Heriot-Watt University is higher in 6 and York St John University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#325
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1001
#41
Guardian UK
#105
1821
Established
1841
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

York St John University

82%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
37.1%

International

International student share

214
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

42
1

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 St John

35 countries · 37.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal33.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
  • 🇮🇳India20.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka4%

Subjects

18 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

York St John University

Also taught at both: British Sign Language & Scots, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management.

Only at Heriot-Watt University

Only at York St John University

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
York St John University
£14,000

York St John University is about £6,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Heriot-Watt University
£24,180
York St John University
£11,800

York St John University is about £12,380 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

York St John University

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    78%Satisfaction68%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    No dataSatisfaction71%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    74%Satisfaction76%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    74%Satisfaction67%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction71%

  • Software Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    73%Satisfaction66%

  • British Sign Language & Scots

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%SatisfactionNo data

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 →

York St John University

Sanctuary Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Heriot-Watt University vs York St John University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,080 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £6,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,180 a year at Heriot-Watt University and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £12,380 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 York St John University?

Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Psychology (General), Accounting, Management, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Economics, Education Studies and 6 more.

Is Heriot-Watt University or York St John University better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Heriot-Watt University, and £19,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Heriot-Watt University and 68% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Heriot-Watt University or York St John University offer more courses?

Heriot-Watt University lists 214 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.

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

Heriot-Watt University teaches 30 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 22 more.

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

York St John University teaches 31 subject areas that Heriot-Watt University does not, including Politics & International Relations, English Literature, Media & Film Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 23 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
Y
York St John University199 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses