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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
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

U
University of Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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.

4/11

Aberdeen

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Bristol

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Aberdeen is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, courses.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Bristol at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Bristol both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Law, Economics and Management. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £31,300 at University of Bristol: University of Aberdeen is about £10,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £28,460 at University of Bristol: University of Aberdeen is about £5,460 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 31 and University of Aberdeen in 6. The widest gap is in Management: £27,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £44,000 from University of Bristol. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 19 and University of Bristol in 16, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#57
#201
THE World
#80
#22
Guardian UK
#13
1495
Established
1876
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 Bristol

89.2%
88%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£43,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
77.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
33.6%

International

International student share

597
479

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
54

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

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%

Subjects

59 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 Bristol

Also taught at both: German & Scandinavian Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Philosophy, Accounting, Anatomy & Pathology, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sociology & Criminology, Dentistry, Mechanical Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemistry, Music, Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment, General Engineering, Linguistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Archaeology, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History of Art & Design, Biology, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Spanish & Portuguese, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Liberal Arts, Computing & IT, Information Systems & Data Science, Plant Sciences, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300

University of Aberdeen is about £10,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Bristol
£28,460

University of Aberdeen is about £5,460 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 Bristol

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£44,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£48,000
    77%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Anthropology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

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 Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Bristol: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £31,300 at University of Bristol: University of Aberdeen is about £10,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £28,460 at University of Bristol: University of Aberdeen is about £5,460 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 Bristol?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Law, Economics, Management, English Studies, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Computer Science, French, History, Anthropology, Finance & Actuarial Science and 47 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £35,000 from University of Bristol. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 87% at University of Bristol. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 21 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Teacher Training, Scottish Gaelic, Forensic Science, Ecology & Conservation, Safety & Mining Engineering, Environmental Sciences and 13 more.

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

University of Bristol teaches 24 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Drama & Theatre, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine, Classical Studies, Design & Fashion, Welsh Studies, Aerospace Engineering and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses