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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Aberdeen vs University of Nottingham at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Nottingham both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Aberdeen is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Aberdeen is about £7,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 27 and University of Aberdeen in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £23,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £32,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 17 and University of Nottingham in 11, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#97
#201
THE World
#145
#22
Guardian UK
#21
1495
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

89.2%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
21.1%

International

International student share

597
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Physics, Mathematics, Business Studies, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Education Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Ancient Languages, Film Production & Cinematography, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Media & Film Studies, Health & Social Care, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Accounting, Chemistry, Building & Construction, Music, Geology & Earth Sciences, History of Art & Design, Nutrition & Dietetics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Pharmacology, General Engineering, Medicine, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biology, Creative Writing, Genetics & Genomics, Information Systems & Data Science, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

University of Aberdeen is about £12,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Nottingham
£30,800

University of Aberdeen is about £7,800 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 Nottingham

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£36,000
    77%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Aberdeen is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Aberdeen is about £7,800 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Chemical Engineering, English Studies, Management, Politics & International Relations, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Philosophy and 47 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £34,000 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 89% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Nottingham lists 580 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 21 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Teacher Training, Scottish Gaelic, Forensic Science, Safety & Mining Engineering, Spanish & Portuguese and 13 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 39 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Business & Management (General), Aerospace Engineering, American & Comparative Studies and 31 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses