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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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

Leeds

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Aberdeen vs University of Leeds at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Leeds both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Law, Civil Engineering and Economics. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Aberdeen is about £12,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Aberdeen is about £8,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 42 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 31 and University of Aberdeen in 11. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £21,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 42 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 30 and University of Leeds in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#77
#201
THE World
#118
#22
Guardian UK
#15
1495
Established
1904
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 Leeds

89.2%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
31.5%

International

International student share

597
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

65 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, German & Scandinavian Studies, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Linguistics, Teacher Training, Theology & Religious Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Zoology & Animal Biology, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, History of Art & Design, Environmental Sciences, Genetics & Genomics, Information Systems & Data Science, Spanish & Portuguese, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, GIS & Remote Sensing, Human Resource Management, Medicine, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Information & Library Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Physical Geography & Climate, Planning & Housing, Liberal Arts, Anatomy & Pathology, Creative Writing, Public Relations, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

University of Aberdeen is about £12,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Leeds
£31,500

University of Aberdeen is about £8,500 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 Leeds

  • Law

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

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    100%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£42,000
    77%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Education Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 43 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Aberdeen is about £12,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Aberdeen is about £8,500 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Law, Civil Engineering, Economics, Physics, Management, Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Computer Science, History, Education Studies, French and 53 more.

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

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

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leeds lists 579 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 15 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Anthropology, Celtic Studies, Accounting, Scottish Gaelic, Forensic Science, Archaeology, Safety & Mining Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 7 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 45 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Design & Fashion, Personal & Professional Development, Asian Languages & Studies, Drama & Theatre, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Aerospace Engineering and 37 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses