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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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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.

2/11

Aberdeen

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Glasgow

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Glasgow leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, courses, scholarship). University of Aberdeen is ahead on satisfaction, graduate salary.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Glasgow at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Glasgow both teach 67 subject areas, the largest being Law, History and Management. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £7,840 a year cheaper.

Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Glasgow is higher in 20 and University of Aberdeen in 16, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £22,500 from University of Glasgow. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 24 and University of Glasgow in 15, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#80
#201
THE World
#84
#22
Guardian UK
#12
1495
Established
1451
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
—

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 Glasgow

89.2%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
35.9%

International

International student share

597
1022

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
4

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

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%

Subjects

67 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 Glasgow

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Philosophy, Ancient Languages, Scottish Gaelic, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Music, Archaeology, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Health & Social Care, Geology & Earth Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Forensic Science, Information & Library Studies, Linguistics, GIS & Remote Sensing, Media & Film Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Dentistry, Medicine, Planning & Housing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Genetics & Genomics, Marketing, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Building & Construction, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Glasgow

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 Glasgow
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Glasgow
£15,160

University of Glasgow is about £7,840 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 Glasgow

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    79%Satisfaction73%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Spanish & Portuguese

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Celtic Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 41 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 Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Glasgow: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £7,840 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 Glasgow?

Both universities teach 67 subject areas: Law, History, Management, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Economics, Spanish & Portuguese, Physics, Teacher Training, French, Celtic Studies and 55 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £27,500 from University of Glasgow. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 86% at University of Glasgow. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 13 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including English Studies, Anthropology, Safety & Mining Engineering, General Engineering, Biology, Liberal Arts, Physical Geography & Climate, Combined & General Studies and 5 more.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 30 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, English Literature, English Language, Drama & Theatre, Public Health & Epidemiology, Italian, Software Engineering and 22 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 Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses