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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/8

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Cumbria at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Cumbria both teach 20 subject areas, the largest being Law, Management and Business Studies. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £4,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 15 and University of Cumbria in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £18,500 from University of Cumbria. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 11 and University of Cumbria in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
—
#201
THE World
—
#22
Guardian UK
#101
1495
Established
2007
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Cumbria

89.2%
80.5%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
2.6%

International

International student share

597
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

20 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 Cumbria

Also taught at both: Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Plant Sciences.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £4,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £6,100 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 Cumbria

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    100%Satisfaction89%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction82%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction70%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    98%Satisfaction84%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £4,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £6,100 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 20 subject areas: Law, Management, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Teacher Training, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 8 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £18,500 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 95% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 60 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including English Studies, Economics, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science and 52 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 20 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Forestry & Arboriculture, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing and 12 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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses