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.
Birmingham
Aberdeen · QS World #288
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/7
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 2 categories
5/7
Aberdeen
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Aberdeen leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on international, scholarship.
University College Birmingham vs University of Aberdeen at a glance
University College Birmingham and University of Aberdeen both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies and Politics & International Relations. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University College Birmingham is about £7,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University College Birmingham is about £6,000 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 4 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £17,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £31,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 4 and University of Aberdeen in 2.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
University College Birmingham
University of Aberdeen
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Aberdeen
81 countries · 18.8% international
- 🇨🇳China20.2%
- 🇮🇳India14.1%
- 🇺🇸United States8.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
Subjects
17 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.
University College Birmingham
University of Aberdeen
Finance & Actuarial Science
5 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
Business Studies
5 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
1 courseTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
18 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
Education Studies
3 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
Psychology (General)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
15 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
Computer Science
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £24,800 (UG)
Civil Engineering
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £24,800 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
Mechanical Engineering
Health & Social Care
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Building & Construction
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Marketing
Planning & Housing
Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Nutrition & Dietetics.
Only at University College Birmingham
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
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
- University of Aberdeen
- £20,800
University College Birmingham is about £7,300 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
- University of Aberdeen
- £23,000
University College Birmingham is about £6,000 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.
University College Birmingham
University of Aberdeen
Finance & Actuarial Science
£20,000Salary (3 years)£31,50089%Satisfaction84%Business Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£28,50086%Satisfaction100%Education Studies
£17,000Salary (3 years)£31,00098%Satisfaction95%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction77%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£24,00096%Satisfaction98%Building & Construction
No dataSalary (3 years)No data91%Satisfaction75%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity College Birmingham
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
100%
Deadline: N/A
Dean's Award
50%
Deadline: N/A
Early Action Scholarship
£4,500
Deadline: Jul 2026
Alumni Scholarship
25%
Deadline: N/A
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
FAQ
University College Birmingham vs University of Aberdeen: common questions
Is University College Birmingham or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: University College Birmingham is about £7,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: University College Birmingham is about £6,000 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 University College Birmingham and University of Aberdeen?
Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction and 5 more.
Is University College Birmingham or University of Aberdeen better for Finance & Actuarial Science?
Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £31,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University College Birmingham and 84% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University College Birmingham or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?
University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at University of Aberdeen?
University College Birmingham teaches 19 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Food Science, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology and 11 more.
What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at University College Birmingham?
University of Aberdeen teaches 63 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Law, English Studies, Management, Economics, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering and 55 more.
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