Skip to main content

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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

3/10

Swansea

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Swansea University and University of Aberdeen both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Economics. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 26 and Swansea University in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £28,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £35,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 19 and Swansea University in 16, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#288
#301
THE World
#201
#32
Guardian UK
#22
1920
Established
1495
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

University of Aberdeen

86.1%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
18.8%

International

International student share

916
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

60 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.

Swansea University

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Health & Social Care, Biochemistry, Archaeology, Linguistics, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Environmental Sciences, Theology & Religious Studies, Pharmacology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Combined & General Studies, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Information Systems & Data Science, Toxicology, Anatomy & Pathology, Heritage & Conservation, Planning & Housing, Public Relations.

Only at Swansea 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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

About the same.

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.

Swansea University

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Teacher Training

    No dataSalary (3 years)£31,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    82%Satisfaction100%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

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

Swansea University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen, so the two cost about the same. 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 Swansea University and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Sociology & Criminology, Teacher Training, Business Studies, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Physics and 48 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 37 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), American & Comparative Studies, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies, English Literature, Aerospace Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biomedical Engineering and 29 more.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 20 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Ancient Languages, Film Production & Cinematography, Scottish Gaelic, Forensic Science and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses