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.

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

8/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, courses, scholarship). University of Aberdeen is ahead on established, satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Aberdeen both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Law, German & Scandinavian Studies and Computer Science. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £8,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 35 and University of Aberdeen in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £38,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £31,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 42 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 33 and The University of Edinburgh in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#288
#29
THE World
#201
#17
Guardian UK
#22
1583
Established
1495
Yes
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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Aberdeen

85.3%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
18.8%

International

International student share

936
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

69 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Spanish & Portuguese, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, Ancient Languages, Geology & Earth Sciences, History of Art & Design, Ecology & Conservation, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Geography & Environment, Social Policy & Public Policy, Archaeology, Genetics & Genomics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Music, Accounting, Chemistry, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biochemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Computing & IT, Safety & Mining Engineering, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biotechnology, Combined & General Studies, Creative Writing, Biology, Building & Construction, GIS & Remote Sensing, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Pharmacology, Plant Sciences, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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

The University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £8,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)No data
    74%Satisfaction77%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • French

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    80%Satisfaction100%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Anthropology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    81%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £8,800 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 The University of Edinburgh and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Law, German & Scandinavian Studies, Computer Science, Theology & Religious Studies, French, Business Studies, History, Teacher Training, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Anthropology and 57 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of Aberdeen?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 47 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Veterinary Medicine, Asian Languages & Studies, Design & Fashion, Eastern European Languages, English Literature and 39 more.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of Aberdeen teaches 11 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including English Studies, Scottish Gaelic, Forensic Science, Dentistry, Nutrition & Dietetics, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Planning & Housing and 3 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

T
The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses