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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.

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University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

U
University of Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

3/11

Aberdeen

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Exeter

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Aberdeen is ahead on established, satisfaction, scholarship.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Exeter at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Exeter both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Mathematics. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Aberdeen is about £4,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Aberdeen is about £2,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 27 and University of Aberdeen in 4, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £43,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 15 and University of Exeter in 15, with 6 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#136
#201
THE World
#170
#22
Guardian UK
#14
1495
Established
1922
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Exeter

89.2%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
22.2%

International

International student share

597
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Anthropology, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, French, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, History of Art & Design, German & Scandinavian Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Archaeology, Film Production & Cinematography, Accounting, Celtic Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Media & Film Studies, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Forensic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Safety & Mining Engineering, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Marketing, Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Creative Writing, Genetics & Genomics, Human Resource Management, Liberal Arts, Medicine, Computing & IT, Nutrition & Dietetics, Building & Construction.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

University of Aberdeen is about £4,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Exeter
£25,550

University of Aberdeen is about £2,550 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 Exeter

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£40,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 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 Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Aberdeen is about £4,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Aberdeen is about £2,550 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 Exeter?

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

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £32,000 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 86% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 21 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Teacher Training, Linguistics, Scottish Gaelic, Music, Spanish & Portuguese, Social Policy & Public Policy, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry and 13 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 32 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Classical Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Drama & Theatre, Public Health & Epidemiology, Humanities, Biological Sciences (General) and 24 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses