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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 West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

7/9

Aberdeen

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on employment, international.

University of Aberdeen vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of the West of Scotland both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business Studies and Teacher Training. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £5,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,720 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 13 and University of the West of Scotland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 7 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
—
#201
THE World
#601
#22
Guardian UK
#115
1495
Established
1897
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 West of Scotland

89.2%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
30.3%

International

International student share

597
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

27 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Computing & IT, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Music, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £5,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £6,720 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 the West of Scotland

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%SatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    100%Satisfaction75%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Education Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)No data
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    71%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Forensic Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    99%Satisfaction95%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    75%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Aberdeen or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £5,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,720 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Law, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Physics, Accounting, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Forensic Science and 15 more.

Is University of Aberdeen or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Aberdeen or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Aberdeen teaches 53 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including English Studies, Management, Economics, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science and 45 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Aberdeen?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 22 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Aerospace Engineering, Business & Management (General) and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses