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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

7/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Portsmouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). University of Portsmouth is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Portsmouth both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Law, Management and Politics & International Relations. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £2,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £4,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 18 and University of Portsmouth in 7, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £21,000 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 22 and University of Portsmouth in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#662
#201
THE World
#401
#22
Guardian UK
#55
1495
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

89.2%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
24.5%

International

International student share

597
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

51 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Mathematics, Linguistics, Physics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Human Resource Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Music, Creative Writing, Dentistry, Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Information Systems & Data Science, Biochemistry, Biology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Pharmacology, Physical Geography & Climate, Anatomy & Pathology, Biotechnology, Combined & General Studies, Planning & Housing.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £2,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £4,400 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 Portsmouth

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

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

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction82%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    100%Satisfaction85%

  • Education Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    75%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction68%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    91%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £2,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £4,400 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Law, Management, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Economics, Business Studies, Education Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography and 39 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 88% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 29 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including English Studies, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Philosophy, Scottish Gaelic, Theology & Religious Studies and 21 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 33 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Childhood & Youth Studies, Architecture, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, English Literature 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses