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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Aberdeen vs University of Oxford at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Oxford both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Law, English Studies and History. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Aberdeen is about £22,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Aberdeen is about £15,430 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 24 and University of Aberdeen in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 16 and University of Aberdeen in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#4
#201
THE World
#1
#22
Guardian UK
#1
1495
Established
1096
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 Oxford

89.2%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
37.2%

International

International student share

597
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

53 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Psychology (General), Chemical Engineering, Business Studies, Celtic Studies, General Engineering, Education Studies, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Philosophy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Music, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Health & Social Care, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Ecology & Conservation, Genetics & Genomics, History of Art & Design, Medicine, Pharmacology, Building & Construction, Computing & IT, Physical Geography & Climate, Information & Library Studies, Media & Film Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

University of Aberdeen is about £22,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Oxford
£38,430

University of Aberdeen is about £15,430 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 Oxford

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£52,500
    92%SatisfactionNo data

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    98%Satisfaction97%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Spanish & Portuguese

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Anthropology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Linguistics

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    100%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Aberdeen is about £22,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Aberdeen is about £15,430 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Law, English Studies, History, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Spanish & Portuguese, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Linguistics, Management and 41 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £52,500 from University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 27 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Teacher Training, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Scottish Gaelic, Forensic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Safety & Mining Engineering, Environmental Sciences and 19 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 26 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Classical Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Eastern European Languages, Italian, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Clinical Specialities, Asian Languages & Studies, Business & Management (General) and 18 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses