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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
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

U
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Ulster

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on employment, international.

Ulster University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Ulster University and University of Aberdeen both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, English Studies and Economics. Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Ulster University is about £3,310 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 15 and Ulster University in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#595
QS World
#288
#601
THE World
#201
#60
Guardian UK
#22
1968
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.

Ulster University

University of Aberdeen

86.4%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.5%
18.8%

International

International student share

170
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.

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
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.

Ulster University

University of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences, General Engineering, Marketing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Building & Construction, Information Systems & Data Science, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Computing & IT, Liberal Arts, Planning & Housing, Human Resource Management, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Ulster 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

Ulster University
£17,490
University of Aberdeen
£20,800

Ulster University is about £3,310 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Ulster University
No data
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster 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.

Ulster University

University of Aberdeen

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction98%

  • Economics

    No dataSalary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,000
    73%Satisfaction79%

  • Business Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,500
    83%Satisfaction100%

  • Politics & International Relations

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£31,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Accounting

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,000
    100%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Ulster 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

Ulster University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Ulster University is about £3,310 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 Ulster University and University of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, English Studies, Economics, Management, Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Accounting, Civil Engineering and 31 more.

Does Ulster University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

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

Ulster University teaches 23 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Design & Fashion, Social Work, Irish Studies, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre and 15 more.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 37 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Ancient Languages, Teacher Training, Mathematics and 29 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses