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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.

A
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

R
Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen · QS World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/10

Aston

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Robert Gordon

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses). Robert Gordon University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Robert Gordon University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Robert Gordon University both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Law and General Engineering. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,300 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £4,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,060 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £4,940 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 7 and Robert Gordon University in 7. The widest gap is in Mental Health Nursing: £36,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £28,500 from Robert Gordon University. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 7 and Robert Gordon University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#1001
#401
THE World
#801
#39
Guardian UK
#81
1895
Established
1729
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Aston University, Birmingham

Robert Gordon University

85.2%
87.9%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£33,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
88.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
14.4%

International

International student share

169
151

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
43

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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria36.2%
  • 🇮🇳India16.2%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana9.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%

Subjects

29 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Robert Gordon University

Also taught at both: Management, Pharmacy, Sociology & Criminology, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General).

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
Robert Gordon University
£18,300

Robert Gordon University is about £4,280 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Robert Gordon University
£19,060

Robert Gordon University is about £4,940 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Robert Gordon University

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction86%
  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction86%
  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    75%Satisfaction84%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction85%
  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction85%
  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction84%
  • Building & Construction

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction78%
  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction85%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    64%Satisfaction77%
  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction93%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction85%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Robert Gordon University

Bolashak Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)

100%

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Postgraduate/PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Robert Gordon University: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Robert Gordon University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,300 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £4,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,060 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £4,940 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 Aston University, Birmingham and Robert Gordon University?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Business Studies, Law, General Engineering, Design & Fashion, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemical Engineering, Building & Construction, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science and 17 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Robert Gordon University better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £25,500 from Robert Gordon University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 86% at Robert Gordon University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Robert Gordon University offer more courses?

Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Robert Gordon University?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 22 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Economics, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), English Language, History, Mathematics, Software Engineering and 14 more.

What can you study at Robert Gordon University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

Robert Gordon University teaches 22 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Information & Library Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Architecture, Chemistry, Fine Art, Nursing (General), Social Work, Applied Psychology and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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