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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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

U
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/8

Open

scored higher in 1 category

VS

7/8

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction.

Open University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Open University and University of Aberdeen both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and History. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 19 and University of Aberdeen in 10. The widest gap is in Physics: £38,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £25,500 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 13 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.

—
QS World
#288
#801
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#22
1969
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.

Open University

University of Aberdeen

89.8%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
18.8%

International

International student share

337
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

43 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.

Open University

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Physics, Teacher Training, Philosophy, General Engineering, Accounting, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, Theology & Religious Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computing & IT, Environmental Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Music, Combined & General Studies, History of Art & Design, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Creative Writing, Information & Library Studies.

Only at Open 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

Open University
No data
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Open University

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction77%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • English Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Management

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    No dataSatisfaction79%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • French

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

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

Open University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, History, Economics, English Studies, Management, Psychology (General), French, Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies, Politics & International Relations, German & Scandinavian Studies and 31 more.

Is Open University or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Open University and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Humanities, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Classical Studies and 17 more.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 37 subject areas that Open University does not, including Anthropology, Chemical Engineering, Business Studies, Celtic Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Scottish Gaelic and 29 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses