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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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

U
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/11

Durham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Aberdeen

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Aberdeen is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Durham University and University of Aberdeen both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Law, Economics and Anthropology. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £10,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £7,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 25 and University of Aberdeen in 2. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £29,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 17 and University of Aberdeen in 8, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#288
#175
THE World
#201
#6
Guardian UK
#22
1832
Established
1495
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

University of Aberdeen

90.7%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
18.8%

International

International student share

278
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

42 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.

Durham University

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Accounting, Mathematics, General Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Forensic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Biotechnology, Combined & General Studies.

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £10,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

University of Aberdeen is about £7,500 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.

Durham University

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Anthropology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    98%Satisfaction98%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    83%Satisfaction100%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Education Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

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

Durham University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £10,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £7,500 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 Durham University and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Law, Economics, Anthropology, Management, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Theology & Religious Studies, Education Studies and 30 more.

Is Durham University or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Durham University and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Classical Studies, Natural Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Business & Management (General), Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Literature, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies and 4 more.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 38 subject areas that Durham University does not, including French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Linguistics, Scottish Gaelic, Health & Social Care and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses