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.
Birmingham · QS World #416
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
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.
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
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
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
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £18,300 (UG)
Law
2 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £16,980 (UG)
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
Marketing
Accounting
Biomedical Sciences
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).
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
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)£25,50082%Satisfaction86%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£23,50089%Satisfaction86%General Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£33,50075%Satisfaction84%Mechanical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£33,00080%Satisfaction85%Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
£33,000Salary (3 years)£27,00084%Satisfaction85%Chemical Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£33,50087%Satisfaction84%Building & Construction
£32,500Salary (3 years)£26,00082%Satisfaction78%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£27,50085%Satisfaction85%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£36,00064%Satisfaction77%Accounting
£29,500Salary (3 years)£27,00086%Satisfaction93%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£34,50090%Satisfaction85%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£26,50089%Satisfaction88%
Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston 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
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.
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