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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.

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

U
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/11

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Aberdeen

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Aberdeen is ahead on established, satisfaction.

UCL (University College London) vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of Aberdeen both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being German & Scandinavian Studies, Law and Ancient Languages. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £9,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £11,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 30 and University of Aberdeen in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Physics: £42,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £25,500 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 22 and UCL (University College London) in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#288
#22
THE World
#201
#9
Guardian UK
#22
1826
Established
1495
Yes
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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Aberdeen

86.5%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
18.8%

International

International student share

1131
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
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.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%
VS

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Subjects

70 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, History, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Linguistics, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Archaeology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, Spanish & Portuguese, Health & Social Care, Theology & Religious Studies, Building & Construction, Dentistry, Forensic Science, Chemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Biology, Medicine, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Computing & IT, Pharmacology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Genetics & Genomics, Music, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Anatomy & Pathology, History of Art & Design, Information & Library Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Combined & General Studies, Marketing, Creative Writing, Heritage & Conservation, Public Relations, Sport & Exercise Sciences.

Only at UCL (University College 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

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

University of Aberdeen is about £9,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

University of Aberdeen is about £11,700 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Aberdeen

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • French

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Anthropology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

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

UCL (University College London) vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £9,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen is about £11,700 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 UCL (University College London) and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: German & Scandinavian Studies, Law, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Economics, French, Management, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Anthropology, Chemical Engineering and 58 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Aberdeen better for German & Scandinavian Studies?

German & Scandinavian Studies graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £25,000 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at UCL (University College London) and 94% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University of Aberdeen?

UCL (University College London) teaches 39 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Italian, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Design & Fashion, African & Middle Eastern Studies and 31 more.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at UCL (University College London)?

University of Aberdeen teaches 10 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Celtic Studies, Teacher Training, Scottish Gaelic, Safety & Mining Engineering, Environmental Sciences, GIS & Remote Sensing, Liberal Arts, Human Resource Management and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses