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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.

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

U
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

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.

3/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment.

Cardiff University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Aberdeen both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Law, Management and Civil Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £9,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £2,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 17 and University of Aberdeen in 11, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £24,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £31,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 15 and Cardiff University in 9, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#288
#201
THE World
#201
#34
Guardian UK
#22
1883
Established
1495
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

University of Aberdeen

86.3%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
18.8%

International

International student share

362
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.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

54 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.

Cardiff University

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Celtic Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Education Studies, Accounting, Chemistry, Film Production & Cinematography, Sociology & Criminology, Philosophy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Forensic Science, Linguistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Archaeology, General Engineering, Music, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Dentistry, Medicine, Planning & Housing, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Toxicology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Creative Writing, Public Relations, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

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

Cardiff University
£30,700
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £9,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

University of Aberdeen is about £2,950 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.

Cardiff University

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction92%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    79%Satisfaction79%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    70%Satisfaction77%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

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

Cardiff University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £9,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £2,950 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 Cardiff University and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Law, Management, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Economics, English Studies, Computer Science, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Business Studies, Physics and 42 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of Aberdeen?

Cardiff University teaches 32 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Social Sciences (General), Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities and 24 more.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at Cardiff University?

University of Aberdeen teaches 26 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Teacher Training, Scottish Gaelic, Ecology & Conservation, Safety & Mining Engineering and 18 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses