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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.

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

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.

6/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, scholarship). University of Aberdeen is ahead on established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses.

Lancaster University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Aberdeen both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Law, Mathematics and Economics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £7,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £1,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 15 and University of Aberdeen in 7, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £25,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £36,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 17 and University of Aberdeen in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#288
#184
THE World
#201
#10
Guardian UK
#22
1964
Established
1495
No
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.

Lancaster University

University of Aberdeen

88.5%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
18.8%

International

International student share

526
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

46 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.

Lancaster University

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Philosophy, Accounting, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Ancient Languages, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Theology & Religious Studies, Health & Social Care, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Medicine, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Social Policy & Public Policy, Creative Writing, Building & Construction, Human Resource Management.

Only at Lancaster 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

Lancaster University
£28,680
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £7,880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

University of Aberdeen is about £1,300 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.

Lancaster University

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    94%Satisfaction100%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

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

Lancaster University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £7,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £1,300 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 Lancaster University and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Law, Mathematics, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Linguistics, English Studies, Management, Biomedical Sciences and 34 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Lancaster University and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), English Literature, Geography (General), Operational Research, Statistics, English Language, Fine Art, Natural Sciences and 17 more.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 34 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Scottish Gaelic and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses