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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

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University of Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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.

5/11

Aberdeen

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Liverpool

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Liverpool leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, courses). University of Aberdeen is ahead on ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Liverpool at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Liverpool both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and English Studies. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Aberdeen is about £11,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Aberdeen is about £7,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 20 and University of Liverpool in 10, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £28,500 from University of Liverpool. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 20 and University of Liverpool in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#139
#201
THE World
#143
#22
Guardian UK
#28
1495
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

89.2%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
24.1%

International

International student share

597
793

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

57 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Physics, Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Spanish & Portuguese, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Film Production & Cinematography, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Medicine, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Physical Geography & Climate, Computing & IT, Pharmacology, Planning & Housing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Applied Biology & Human Biology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Human Resource Management, Heritage & Conservation, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

University of Aberdeen is about £11,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Liverpool
£30,000

University of Aberdeen is about £7,000 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 Liverpool

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    98%Satisfaction90%

  • Music

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Archaeology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction75%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    100%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Aberdeen is about £11,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Aberdeen is about £7,000 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Music, History, Sociology & Criminology, French, Archaeology, Economics, German & Scandinavian Studies, Business Studies, Mathematics and 45 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £23,000 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 86% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 23 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Anthropology, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Teacher Training, Linguistics, Scottish Gaelic, Theology & Religious Studies and 15 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 37 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Classical Studies, Italian, Business & Management (General), Irish Studies, Aerospace Engineering, English Literature, English Language and 29 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses