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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 Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

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

Sheffield

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Aberdeen vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Sheffield both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and English Studies. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Aberdeen is about £5,030 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Aberdeen is about £8,360 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 19 and University of Aberdeen in 7, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 18 and University of Aberdeen in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#82
#201
THE World
#108
#22
Guardian UK
#19
1495
Established
1905
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 Sheffield

89.2%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
28.1%

International

International student share

597
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
2

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

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China45.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%

Subjects

49 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 Sheffield

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Philosophy, Linguistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Accounting, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Planning & Housing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Zoology & Animal Biology, Building & Construction, Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Dentistry, GIS & Remote Sensing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Heritage & Conservation, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Sheffield

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 Sheffield
£25,830

University of Aberdeen is about £5,030 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Aberdeen is about £8,360 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 Sheffield

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£38,500
    77%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 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 Sheffield

International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

£3,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Access to Sheffield Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Aberdeen is about £5,030 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Aberdeen is about £8,360 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 Sheffield?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Economics, Management, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Civil Engineering, Physics, Psychology (General) and 37 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £25,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 31 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Scottish Gaelic and 23 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 28 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture & Design, Public Health & Epidemiology, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering and 20 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 Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses