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.

U
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

2/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Aberdeen vs University of Birmingham at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Birmingham both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and History. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Aberdeen is about £6,290 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Aberdeen is about £390 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 33 and University of Aberdeen in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £27,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 25 and University of Birmingham in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#68
#201
THE World
#98
#22
Guardian UK
#18
1495
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Aberdeen

University of Birmingham

89.2%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
31.2%

International

International student share

597
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

63 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 of Aberdeen

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Business Studies, Physics, Psychology (General), Health & Social Care, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Theology & Religious Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Linguistics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design, Archaeology, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, Spanish & Portuguese, Biochemistry, Planning & Housing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Creative Writing, Heritage & Conservation, Information Systems & Data Science, Liberal Arts, Physical Geography & Climate, Biotechnology, Computing & IT, Genetics & Genomics, Toxicology, Anatomy & Pathology, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of 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 of Aberdeen
£20,800
University of Birmingham
£27,090

University of Aberdeen is about £6,290 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Aberdeen is about £390 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 of Aberdeen

University of Birmingham

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction85%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Anthropology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction78%

  • Education Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Aberdeen is about £6,290 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Aberdeen is about £390 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 of Aberdeen and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, French, Teacher Training, English Studies, Management, Anthropology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Education Studies and 51 more.

Is University of Aberdeen or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Aberdeen or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 17 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Celtic Studies, Scottish Gaelic, Forensic Science, Ecology & Conservation, Safety & Mining Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, GIS & Remote Sensing and 9 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 38 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), International Development, Classical Studies, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Public Health & Epidemiology and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses