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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.

U
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Oban

U
University of the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and University of the West of Scotland both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Cultural Studies and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 16 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Aerospace Engineering: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), against £30,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 9 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#115
2011
Established
1897
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.

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

University of the West of Scotland

90.2%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£25,600
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.1%
30.3%

International

International student share

244
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
0

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.

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

17 countries · 2.1% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

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.

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Physics, Forensic Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Education Studies, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Psychology (General).

Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

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

Postgraduate

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

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.

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

University of the West of Scotland

  • Teacher Training

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,000
    99%Satisfaction94%

  • Cultural Studies

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    98%SatisfactionNo data

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    79%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    98%Satisfaction75%

  • Music

    £13,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £15,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%Satisfaction91%

  • General Engineering

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Health & Social Care

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

What subjects can you study at both University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Teacher Training, Cultural Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business Studies, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences, General Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Health & Social Care, Politics & International Relations, Accounting, Chemistry and 21 more.

Is University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) or University of the West of Scotland better for Cultural Studies?

Cultural Studies graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 37 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Archaeology, History, Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature, Philosophy, Fine Art, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 29 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 16 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Social Work, Community & Specialist Nursing, Journalism, Law and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

U
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)244 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses