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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.

E
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh · QS World #801

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

Edinburgh Napier

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, graduate salary, courses). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Edinburgh Napier University and University of Aberdeen both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Law, Management and English Studies. Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Edinburgh Napier University is about £490 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,460 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 14 and Edinburgh Napier University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £28,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £36,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 12 and Edinburgh Napier University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#288
#601
THE World
#201
#57
Guardian UK
#22
1964
Established
1495
No
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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Aberdeen

84.3%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

27.5%
18.8%

International

International student share

199
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
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.

Edinburgh Napier

70 countries · 27.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India30.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.3%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.2%
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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Health & Social Care, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Public Relations.

Only at Edinburgh Napier 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

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,310
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

Edinburgh Napier University is about £490 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,460 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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Management

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    76%Satisfaction79%

  • English Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    94%Satisfaction98%

  • Business Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    79%Satisfaction100%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction71%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Edinburgh Napier University

OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

WSP and Dodyk Scholarship

£16,875

Deadline: N/A

Hong Kong Scholarship Trust

£16,000

Deadline: Apr 2027

Carnegie Masters Grant

£10,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab

100%

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

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Edinburgh Napier University is about £490 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,460 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 Edinburgh Napier University and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Law, Management, English Studies, Business Studies, Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 20 more.

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Edinburgh Napier University and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Edinburgh Napier University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at University of Aberdeen?

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 21 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Drama & Theatre, Journalism, Software Engineering, Architecture, Games Design & Computer Animation and 13 more.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at Edinburgh Napier University?

University of Aberdeen teaches 48 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Economics, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Politics & International Relations, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, History and 40 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

E
Edinburgh Napier University199 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses