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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 Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

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.

4/9

Aberdeen

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Surrey

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Aberdeen is ahead on ranking, established, satisfaction, courses.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Surrey both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Law, Management and Economics. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Aberdeen is about £9,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Aberdeen is about £2,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 19 and University of Aberdeen in 1. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and University of Aberdeen in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#246
#201
THE World
#201
#22
Guardian UK
#24
1495
Established
1966
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 Surrey

89.2%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
20.2%

International

International student share

597
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
36

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

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

  • 🇮🇳India25%
  • 🇨🇳China8.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.1%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.2%

Subjects

38 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 Surrey

Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Accounting, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Human Geography & Environment, Nutrition & Dietetics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Biochemistry, General Engineering, Marketing, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of Surrey

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 Surrey
£30,000

University of Aberdeen is about £9,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Aberdeen is about £2,900 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 Surrey

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction100%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£41,500
    77%Satisfaction78%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    75%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Surrey

The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

Machine learning enhanced muon imaging for nuclear waste monitoring and safeguards

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Nanoscale standardisation of DNA damage for Emerging Isotopes in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Understanding the dynamics of space radiation hazards using measurements from novel in-situ detectors

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

AI for proton-acoustics for real-time 3D dosimetry of proton therapy

£25,805

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Aberdeen is about £9,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Aberdeen is about £2,900 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 Surrey?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Law, Management, Economics, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, French, Chemical Engineering, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Computer Science and 26 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £27,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 94% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 42 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including English Studies, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, History, Ancient Languages, Teacher Training and 34 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 24 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, English Literature, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Nursing (General), Animal Science 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 Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses