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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Plymouth both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Law, English Studies and Management. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £3,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 27 and University of Plymouth in 0, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £19,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 16 and University of Aberdeen in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#691
#201
THE World
#501
#22
Guardian UK
#56
1495
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Plymouth

89.2%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
11.9%

International

International student share

597
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

45 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Accounting, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Dentistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemistry, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Marketing, Music, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Writing, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Human Resource Management, Media & Film Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Heritage & Conservation, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £1,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £3,500 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 Plymouth

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Anthropology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction100%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    100%Satisfaction74%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,000
    77%Satisfaction72%

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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £3,500 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Law, English Studies, Management, Economics, Psychology (General), Politics & International Relations, Anthropology, Business Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and 33 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £21,500 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 84% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 35 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Ancient Languages, Teacher Training, Physics, Linguistics, Philosophy and 27 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 33 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Children's Nursing and 25 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses