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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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Oban

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/7

Aberdeen

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Aberdeen vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being History, Teacher Training and English Studies. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 24 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 1. The widest gap is in Chemical Engineering: £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £21,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is higher in 14 and University of Aberdeen in 9, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
—
#201
THE World
—
#22
Guardian UK
—
1495
Established
2011
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

89.2%
90.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
85%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
2.1%

International

International student share

597
244

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
11

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

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

17 countries · 2.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States11.1%
  • 🌐Brunei8.3%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada5.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%

Subjects

42 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Music, Scottish Gaelic, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Health & Social Care, Mathematics, Physics, Theology & Religious Studies, Forensic Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Ecology & Conservation, Media & Film Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Building & Construction, Chemistry, Information Systems & Data Science, Creative Writing, Heritage & Conservation, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    92%Satisfaction98%
  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    95%Satisfaction99%
  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction90%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%Satisfaction90%
  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    100%Satisfaction98%
  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction90%
  • Archaeology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    93%Satisfaction93%
  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    82%Satisfaction94%
  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    77%Satisfaction89%
  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction88%
  • Ancient Languages

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction90%
  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£15,000
    91%Satisfaction65%

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: Oct 2026

Scottish Land Commission Prize

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

Barns-Graham Assistance Award

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

Dorothy Dunnett Centenary Awards

£1,000

Deadline: Dec 2026

Rural and Islands Bursary Fund

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): common questions

What subjects can you study at both University of Aberdeen and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: History, Teacher Training, English Studies, Management, Politics & International Relations, German & Scandinavian Studies, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Archaeology, Philosophy, Computer Science, Education Studies and 30 more.

Is University of Aberdeen or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) better for History?

History graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £17,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 98% at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Aberdeen or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

University of Aberdeen teaches 38 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Law, Economics, French, Anthropology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Celtic Studies, Linguistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 30 more.

What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at University of Aberdeen?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 28 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Cultural Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, English Literature, Fine Art, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Aerospace Engineering and 20 more.

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