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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 York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

York

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen and University of York are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. University of Aberdeen is ahead on established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses; University of York on ranking, Russell Group, employment.

University of Aberdeen vs University of York at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of York both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Law, English Studies and Computer Science. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £27,500 at University of York: University of Aberdeen is about £6,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £27,250 at University of York: University of Aberdeen is about £4,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 25 and University of Aberdeen in 5, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £28,000 from University of York. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 22 and University of York in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#158
#201
THE World
#154
#22
Guardian UK
#20
1495
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

89.2%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
18.6%

International

International student share

597
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

56 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 York

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology, Music, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Linguistics, Psychology (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Forensic Science, History of Art & Design, Human Geography & Environment, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Environmental Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Safety & Mining Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering, Liberal Arts, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biochemistry, Building & Construction, Heritage & Conservation, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Spanish & Portuguese, Genetics & Genomics, Information Systems & Data Science, Biotechnology, Creative Writing.

Only at University of Aberdeen

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of Aberdeen is about £6,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of York
£27,250

University of Aberdeen is about £4,250 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 York

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • English Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£40,000
    77%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    90%Satisfaction75%

  • French

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Education Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Aberdeen vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £27,500 at University of York: University of Aberdeen is about £6,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £27,250 at University of York: University of Aberdeen is about £4,250 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 York?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Law, English Studies, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Management, Economics, French, Philosophy, History, Physics, German & Scandinavian Studies and 44 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £30,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 89% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 24 subject areas that University of York does not, including Anthropology, Celtic Studies, Scottish Gaelic, Theology & Religious Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Zoology & Animal Biology and 16 more.

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

University of York teaches 26 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Humanities, Italian, Mental Health Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Drama & Theatre and 18 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses