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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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

Manchester

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Aberdeen vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Manchester both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Chemical Engineering. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Aberdeen is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Aberdeen is about £3,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 27 and University of Aberdeen in 8, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Physics: £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £34,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 24 and University of Manchester in 12, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#40
#201
THE World
#56
#22
Guardian UK
#29
1495
Established
1824
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 Manchester

89.2%
85.1%

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%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
40%

International

International student share

597
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
6

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

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

69 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 Manchester

Also taught at both: English Studies, Chemistry, German & Scandinavian Studies, Business Studies, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Psychology (General), Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, Teacher Training, Anatomy & Pathology, Ancient Languages, Biology, Computer Science, Genetics & Genomics, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Planning & Housing, Spanish & Portuguese, Accounting, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Pharmacology, Philosophy, Media & Film Studies, Music, Theology & Religious Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Archaeology, Forensic Science, Biotechnology, History of Art & Design, Health & Social Care, Ecology & Conservation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information & Library Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Creative Writing, Physical Geography & Climate, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, GIS & Remote Sensing, Human Resource Management, Plant Sciences.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300

University of Aberdeen is about £11,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Aberdeen is about £3,800 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 Manchester

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Anthropology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Biochemistry

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 40 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 Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Aberdeen is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Aberdeen is about £3,800 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 Manchester?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Management, Economics, Physics, French, Mathematics, History, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Civil Engineering, Anthropology and 57 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £24,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 89% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Celtic Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Scottish Gaelic, Safety & Mining Engineering, Building & Construction, Combined & General Studies, Heritage & Conservation, Public Relations and 3 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 47 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Nursing (General), Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities, English Literature, Healthcare Science and 39 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 Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses