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.
Glasgow
Aberdeen · QS World #288
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Glasgow School of Art
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
Aberdeen
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Aberdeen leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Glasgow School of Art is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.
Glasgow School of Art vs University of Aberdeen at a glance
Glasgow School of Art and University of Aberdeen both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being Film Production & Cinematography, History of Art & Design and General Engineering. Glasgow School of Art offers 40 courses across 12 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £3,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £2,900 a year cheaper.
In Film Production & Cinematography, the one shared subject where both publish a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 2 and Glasgow School of Art in 0.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Glasgow School of Art
University of Aberdeen
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Glasgow School of Art
33 countries · 36.6% international
- 🇨🇳China64.4%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇮🇳India3.8%
- 🌐Korea (South)2.9%
- 🇫🇷France1.4%
Aberdeen
81 countries · 18.8% international
- 🇨🇳China20.2%
- 🇮🇳India14.1%
- 🇺🇸United States8.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
Subjects
5 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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of Aberdeen
Film Production & Cinematography
3 coursesTypical fee £24,350 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
History of Art & Design
General Engineering
Computing & IT
Anatomy & Pathology
Only at Glasgow School of Art
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
- Glasgow School of Art
- £24,350
- University of Aberdeen
- £20,800
University of Aberdeen is about £3,550 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Glasgow School of Art
- £25,900
- University of Aberdeen
- £23,000
University of Aberdeen is about £2,900 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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of Aberdeen
Film Production & Cinematography
£19,000Salary (3 years)£20,50084%Satisfaction91%History of Art & Design
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50089%Satisfaction100%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGlasgow School of Art
GSA Financial Support Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
GSA International Merit Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
International Foundation Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
Mackintosh School of Architecture Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
School of Design Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
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
FAQ
Glasgow School of Art vs University of Aberdeen: common questions
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £3,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £2,900 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 Glasgow School of Art and University of Aberdeen?
Both universities teach 5 subject areas: Film Production & Cinematography, History of Art & Design, General Engineering, Computing & IT and Anatomy & Pathology.
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of Aberdeen better for Film Production & Cinematography?
Film Production & Cinematography graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, and £20,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Glasgow School of Art and 91% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Glasgow School of Art or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?
University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow School of Art lists 40 courses.
What can you study at Glasgow School of Art but not at University of Aberdeen?
Glasgow School of Art teaches 7 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Design & Fashion, Architecture, Fine Art, Applied Computing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Creative Arts (General) and Games Design & Computer Animation.
What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at Glasgow School of Art?
University of Aberdeen teaches 75 subject areas that Glasgow School of Art does not, including Law, English Studies, Management, Economics, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering and 67 more.
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