Skip to main content

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.

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

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

Birkbeck

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, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Aberdeen both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Law, Economics and Politics & International Relations. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 13 and University of Aberdeen in 7, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £31,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 14 and Birkbeck, University of London in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#288
#301
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#22
1823
Established
1495
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Aberdeen

85.1%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
18.8%

International

International student share

361
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
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.

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

  • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.6%
  • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
  • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

45 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Teacher Training, Philosophy, Physical Geography & Climate, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, GIS & Remote Sensing, Information & Library Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Genetics & Genomics, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biology, Computing & IT, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Heritage & Conservation, Human Resource Management, Planning & Housing.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

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

Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,150 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    94%Satisfaction98%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    98%Satisfaction100%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)No data
    72%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    75%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Birkbeck, University of London

Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

£18,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Cyril Taylor Scholarships

£15,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Breakspear scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

MA History of Art scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

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

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,150 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 Birkbeck, University of London and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Law, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Management, English Studies, History, Sociology & Criminology, Ancient Languages, French, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Computer Science and 33 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at University of Aberdeen?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 24 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies and 16 more.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

University of Aberdeen teaches 35 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Anthropology, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Civil Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses