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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

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 South Wales is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

University of Aberdeen vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of South Wales both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Law, Psychology (General) and Management. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £4,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 19 and University of South Wales in 1. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £18,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 12 and University of Aberdeen in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#1201
#201
THE World
#1201
#22
Guardian UK
#83
1495
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

89.2%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
22%

International

International student share

597
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

35 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Accounting, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Music, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Information Systems & Data Science, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £4,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £5,100 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 South Wales

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    79%Satisfaction94%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    100%Satisfaction91%

  • Education Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Forensic Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    99%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Aberdeen or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £4,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,100 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Law, Psychology (General), Management, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Business Studies, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, History and 23 more.

Is University of Aberdeen or University of South Wales better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £20,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 96% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Aberdeen or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at University of South Wales?

University of Aberdeen teaches 45 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Economics, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Ancient Languages, Mathematics and 37 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Aberdeen?

University of South Wales teaches 28 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Healthcare Science, Business & Management (General), Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General), Design & Fashion, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses