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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

U
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

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.

2/9

Aston

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on employment, international.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Aberdeen both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business Studies and Economics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £1,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 9 and University of Aberdeen in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £27,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £36,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 11 and University of Aberdeen in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#288
#401
THE World
#201
#39
Guardian UK
#22
1895
Established
1495
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

University of Aberdeen

85.2%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
18.8%

International

International student share

169
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇨🇳China20.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%

Subjects

32 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

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Linguistics, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science, Human Resource Management, Biochemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Medicine, Media & Film Studies, Biotechnology.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of Aberdeen

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
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £1,780 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

University of Aberdeen is about £1,000 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

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    82%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction98%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Undergraduate and PGDE

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £1,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £1,000 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 University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Law, Business Studies, Economics, English Studies, Management, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), History, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and 20 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Aston University, Birmingham and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Aberdeen?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 19 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Biomedical Engineering, Business & Management (General), English Language, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion and 11 more.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

University of Aberdeen teaches 48 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Ancient Languages, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training and 40 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses