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.
Aberdeen · QS World #288
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
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.
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)
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
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)
History
15 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
12 coursesFee not available
Teacher Training
13 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £15,870 (UG)
English Studies
25 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £15,870 (UG)
Management
24 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Politics & International Relations
18 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
5 coursesFee not available
German & Scandinavian Studies
20 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Business Studies
16 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
3 coursesFee not available
Chemical Engineering
18 coursesTypical fee £24,800 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Archaeology
6 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
12 coursesFee not available
Philosophy
Computer Science
12 coursesTypical fee £24,800 (UG)
4 coursesFee not available
Education Studies
15 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Psychology (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
Ancient Languages
13 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,870 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
13 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,870 (UG)
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.
Only at University of Aberdeen
Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
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)£17,00092%Satisfaction98%Teacher Training
£31,500Salary (3 years)No data95%Satisfaction99%English Studies
£20,500Salary (3 years)£24,00098%Satisfaction90%Politics & International Relations
£24,000Salary (3 years)£19,00088%Satisfaction90%Business Studies
£28,500Salary (3 years)£18,000100%Satisfaction98%Chemical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£21,00083%Satisfaction90%Archaeology
£22,500Salary (3 years)£17,00093%Satisfaction93%Philosophy
£22,500Salary (3 years)£17,00082%Satisfaction94%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£18,50077%Satisfaction89%Psychology (General)
£23,500Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction88%Ancient Languages
£25,000Salary (3 years)£24,00090%Satisfaction90%Film Production & Cinematography
£20,500Salary (3 years)£15,00091%Satisfaction65%
Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
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
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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