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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

1/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Aberdeen is ahead on employment.

University of Aberdeen vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of St Andrews both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being French, German & Scandinavian Studies and History. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Aberdeen is about £9,360 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Aberdeen is about £4,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 25 and University of Aberdeen in 2. The widest gap is in Medicine: £48,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £35,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 20 and University of Aberdeen in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#115
#201
THE World
#162
#22
Guardian UK
#3
1495
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

89.2%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
46.1%

International

International student share

597
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

46 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Biology, Philosophy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Education Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Chemistry, Business Studies, Physics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Medicine, Human Geography & Environment, Sociology & Criminology, Physical Geography & Climate, Ecology & Conservation, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Combined & General Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of Aberdeen is about £9,360 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of Aberdeen is about £4,200 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 St Andrews

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • History of Art & Design

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    100%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Anthropology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    91%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Aberdeen or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Aberdeen is about £9,360 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Aberdeen is about £4,200 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: French, German & Scandinavian Studies, History, Ancient Languages, Economics, English Studies, Law, Politics & International Relations, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Theology & Religious Studies, Management and 34 more.

Is University of Aberdeen or University of St Andrews better for French?

French graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £29,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Aberdeen and 95% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Aberdeen or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Aberdeen teaches 34 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, Scottish Gaelic and 26 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Aberdeen?

University of St Andrews teaches 18 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Italian, Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, Geography (General), Statistics, Asian Languages & Studies, Business & Management (General) and 10 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses