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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Aberdeen vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Southampton both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Finance & Actuarial Science. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Aberdeen is about £5,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Aberdeen is about £8,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 29 and University of Aberdeen in 5, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £40,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 18 and University of Southampton in 15, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#111
#201
THE World
#129
#22
Guardian UK
#16
1495
Established
1862
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 Southampton

89.2%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
35.1%

International

International student share

597
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

56 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Anthropology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology, Mathematics, Accounting, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Chemistry, Music, Marketing, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Medicine, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Computing & IT, Heritage & Conservation, Liberal Arts, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Sport & Exercise Sciences.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Aberdeen is about £5,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Aberdeen is about £8,200 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 Southampton

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    75%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    71%Satisfaction87%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Aberdeen is about £5,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Aberdeen is about £8,200 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Economics, Chemical Engineering, Management, Mechanical Engineering, English Studies, History, Civil Engineering, Physics and 44 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £28,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 87% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 24 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Linguistics, Scottish Gaelic, Theology & Religious Studies, Forensic Science and 16 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 35 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Aerospace Engineering, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Marine Engineering & Technology, Software Engineering, Healthcare Science, Children's Nursing and 27 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses