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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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

2/10

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on international, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Aberdeen both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Media & Film Studies. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £2,980 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £2,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 9 and University of Aberdeen in 2. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £24,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 7 and SOAS University of London in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#288
#401
THE World
#201
#86
Guardian UK
#22
1916
Established
1495
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

SOAS University of London

University of Aberdeen

84.1%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
18.8%

International

International student share

296
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

21 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Accounting, Philosophy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Archaeology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Liberal Arts.

Only at SOAS University of 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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £2,980 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

University of Aberdeen is about £2,320 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    73%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    97%Satisfaction100%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    98%Satisfaction100%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

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

SOAS University of London vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £2,980 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £2,320 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 SOAS University of London and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Anthropology, Ancient Languages, Economics, Management, History, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Music, Theology & Religious Studies and 9 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at SOAS University of London and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

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

SOAS University of London teaches 8 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Creative Arts (General), Business & Management (General), International Development, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General) and Biological Sciences (General).

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 59 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including English Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Business Studies, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Psychology (General) and 51 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses