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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.

U
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

U
University of Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Aberdeen

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Sunderland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Sunderland both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Law, English Studies and Management. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £3,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £6,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 17 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 9 and University of Sunderland in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#1501
#22
Guardian UK
#86
1495
Established
1901
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Sunderland

89.2%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
36.5%

International

International student share

597
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

32 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Music, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Public Relations.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £3,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £6,000 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 Sunderland

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    98%Satisfaction97%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    100%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction78%

  • Education Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction80%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    71%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £3,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £6,000 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Law, English Studies, Management, Economics, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Psychology (General), Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Education Studies, Teacher Training and 20 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 48 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Politics & International Relations, Celtic Studies, History, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering and 40 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 24 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Journalism, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Fine Art, Nursing (General), Performing Arts (General) and 16 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses