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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.

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

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

Imperial College London

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Aberdeen

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Imperial College London vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Aberdeen both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Management. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £3,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £16,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 12 and University of Aberdeen in 1. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £28,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 9 and University of Aberdeen in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#288
#8
THE World
#201
#5
Guardian UK
#22
1907
Established
1495
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Imperial College London

University of Aberdeen

88.9%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
18.8%

International

International student share

254
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
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.

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%
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.

Imperial College London

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology, Building & Construction, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Biology & Human Biology.

Only at Imperial College 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

Imperial College London
£24,600
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £3,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

University of Aberdeen is about £16,900 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.

Imperial College London

University of Aberdeen

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction77%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    76%Satisfaction93%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction75%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction98%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction71%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

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

Imperial College London vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is Imperial College London or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £3,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £16,900 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 Imperial College London and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Management, Mathematics, Economics, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 20 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Aberdeen better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £32,000 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Imperial College London and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University of Aberdeen?

Imperial College London teaches 10 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Biomedical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Statistics, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and 2 more.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at Imperial College London?

University of Aberdeen teaches 48 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, English Studies, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, History and 40 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses