Edinburgh Napier University vs The University of Edinburgh vs Heriot-Watt University - HW vs Edinburgh College vs Queen Margaret University - QMU

Side-by-side comparison from 405 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Tie
Edinburgh Napier University: wins 0/6 categories
The University of Edinburgh: wins 0/6 categories
Heriot-Watt University - HW: wins 0/6 categories
Edinburgh College: wins 0/6 categories
Queen Margaret University - QMU: wins 0/6 categories
Edinburgh Business School: wins 3/6 categories
General Assembly: wins 3/6 categories
Comparing
Edinburgh, The United Kingdom
4.20
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48 reviews
×
Best programme: Business Management
Edinburgh, The United Kingdom
4.30
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128 reviews
×
Best programme: Computer Science
Edinburgh, The United Kingdom
4.00
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209 reviews
×
Best programme: Accounting and Finance
Edinburgh, The United Kingdom
4.70
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3 reviews
×
Best programme: Business Tourism and Events Management
Edinburgh, The United Kingdom
4.20
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15 reviews
×
Best programme: BSc Psychology
Edinburgh, The United Kingdom
5.00
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1 reviews
×
Best programme: Business Administration
New York City, United States
5.00
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1 reviews
×
Best programme: Marketing
Category ratings
Facilities
4.33
4.34
3.87
4.67
3.77
4.00
5.00
Win
Location
4.20
4.78
3.45
3.33
3.87
5.00
5.00
Professors
4.17
4.21
4.08
4.67
3.98
5.00
Win
4.00
Internationality
4.17
4.52
3.78
2.67
4.07
5.00
Win
3.00
Student life
4.20
4.43
3.79
3.67
3.69
4.00
5.00
Win
Value
4.05
4.01
3.84
4.33
3.99
5.00
Win
4.00
Accommodation
3.65
3.87
3.61
2.67
4.10
3.00
5.00
Win
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Supportive faculty and well-structured, practical, career-focused programs
  • +Beautiful and enjoyable campus environment with good accommodation
  • +Strong industry links and job market relevance
  • +Engaging and knowledgeable faculty.
  • +Vibrant community and social opportunities.
  • +Academic growth and valuable experiences.
  • +Supportive and approachable staff
  • +Valuable and recognized academic programs
  • +Inclusive environment and diverse opportunities
  • +Supportive staff and welcoming campus environment
  • +Engaging and relevant course content for career goals
  • +Accessible education for diverse student backgrounds
  • +Integrated social justice and ethical focus in curriculum
  • +Supportive and knowledgeable staff dedicated to student success
  • +Practical, well-structured programmes with modern facilities
  • +Practical business knowledge focus
  • +Accessible, self-study friendly modules
  • +Flexible distance learning and networking
  • +Knowledgeable, supportive professors
  • +Abundant study resources and learning activities
  • +Networking opportunities
Cons
  • -Unapproachable, neglectful, and even bullying lecturers
  • -Administrative and management issues
  • -Outdated facilities
  • -Lack of program improvement and unmet expectations.
  • -High costs and limited ethnic diversity.
  • -University relying on prestige over student experience enhancements.
  • -Lack of effective teaching and support leads to poor learning outcomes.
  • -Inadequate facilities and career services hinder practical application and future prospects.
  • -Poor course structure and communication from staff create confusion and a sense of being unprepared.
  • -Students dislike administrative and management issues.
  • -Students find the facilities outdated and insufficient.
  • -Students are frustrated by the lack of resources and support.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause confusion and frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of necessary resources hinder learning.
  • -Poor communication and unresponsiveness from staff create a negative experience.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources detract from the learning experience.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support creates uncertainty.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources.
  • -Poor communication and administrative issues.
  • -Lack of practical application and relevant curriculum.
Rating summary
What students say

With excellent scores across several key areas, this institution particularly shines in its **Facilities**, receiving a high mark of 4.325. **Professors** and **Internationality** are also well-regarded, both scoring 4.17. The university's **Accomodation** stands out as its lowest-rated category at 3.65, though it still represents a satisfactory average. **Value** and **Student Life** also received strong scores above 4.0.

This institution garners strong acclaim, particularly for its **Location**, which received the highest rating. Student Life and Internationality also scored very well. Conversely, **Accomodation** presents as the weakest area, with a notably lower score compared to other aspects. Facilities, Professors, and Value fall within a respectable middle range.

Academically, the university is well-regarded, with the strongest scores for its professors. Student life and internationality also received positive marks, as did facilities and value. Areas for potential improvement include location and accommodation, which, while still rated adequately, fall below the higher scores in other categories.

Regarding the university's performance, it excels in its **facilities** and the **quality of its professors**, both receiving high marks. The **value** for students is also a significant positive. However, areas that require attention include **accommodation** and **internationality**, which are rated considerably lower. **Location** and **student life** fall in the middle range of the evaluations.

Across several key areas, this university demonstrates a generally positive reception. Accommodation stands out as its strongest point, receiving a near-perfect score. Conversely, student life is rated the lowest among the surveyed categories. Professors and value are also highly regarded, alongside internationality. Location and facilities show solid, mid-range performance.

This institution garners strong marks, particularly excelling in its **Professors, Location, Internationality, and Value**, all receiving perfect scores. Facilities and Student Life are also well-regarded with solid ratings. The weakest area identified is **Accomodation**, which received a moderate rating. Overall, the university presents a very attractive package, especially for those prioritizing faculty quality, geographic convenience, global engagement, and cost-effectiveness.

Overall, this institution garners strong commendations, particularly excelling in its facilities, location, student life, and accommodation, all receiving perfect scores. Professors and perceived value also score well, indicating solid academic and financial offerings. The weakest area identified is internationality, suggesting room for growth in attracting and supporting a global student body.

Reviews summary
Highlights

Approximately 98% of reviews are positive, highlighting a beautiful campus, supportive lecturers, and career-focused courses. One negative review expressed concerns about unapproachable and neglectful lecturers.

With a 4.3/5 average rating from 129 reviews, ~84% are positive, highlighting engaging lectures, supportive faculty, and ample opportunities. A single negative review (~0.8%) noted program limitations and limited ethnic diversity.

Overwhelmingly positive reviews (~74% 4-5 stars) highlight good professors, supportive staff, and valuable degree recognition. A small percentage of negative feedback (~1.9%) mentions issues with teaching support and course structure.

With a high average rating of 4.67/5, student feedback is ~100% positive. Recurring themes highlight supportive and helpful staff, quality education, and accessible learning environments.

With an average rating of 4.19/5 and 14 out of 16 reviews being positive (~88%), students praise supportive and knowledgeable staff, relevant and engaging content, and a focus on social justice and well-being. Minimal negative feedback was noted.

With a 5/5 average rating from one review, student feedback is overwhelmingly positive (~100%). Positive aspects include appreciating practical business knowledge and well-developed modules suitable for self-study and distance learning. No negative feedback was recorded.

With a single review, this university is rated a perfect 5/5. The student highlighted excellent professors and abundant study resources. No negative feedback was received.

Rating distribution
5★
33%
47%
26%
67%
33%
100%
100%
4★
54%
38%
51%
33%
60%
0%
0%
3★
10%
15%
21%
0%
13%
0%
0%
2★
0%
1%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Undergraduate Law

This university is welcoming and continually helpful by staff and pupils. I would recommend this university to new students. The law degree I am currently studying is exactly what I expected and is also very enjoyable.

Great support from personal tutor and supervisor!

Overall the university is good, they have an easy way to apply for extensions on coursework, and special circumstances, which my personal tutor was more than happy to help with, she really was the best. My supervisor for my dissertation was also really supportive and helped through the challenging times. The lecturers are usually helpful if you are stuck, but there were some who would do the bare minimum for the students.

The campus

Love Heriot Watt! I’ve been studying in the Dubai campus and I’ve now transferred to the Edinburgh one and it’s amazing! The campus has many useful facilities and there always creative events taking place for students to interact.

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