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
York · Guardian UK #105
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
2/9
York St John
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). York St John University is ahead on employment, international.
University of Aberdeen vs York St John University at a glance
University of Aberdeen and York St John University both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Management. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £6,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £11,200 a year cheaper.
Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 15 and York St John University in 0. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £19,000 from York St John University. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 11 and York St John University in 7, with 1 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
York St John University
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%
York St John
35 countries · 37.1% international
- 🌐Nepal33.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
- 🇮🇳India20.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
- 🌐Sri Lanka4%
Subjects
25 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
York St John University
Law
52 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
18 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Management
24 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Economics
23 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Psychology (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Business Studies
16 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
History
15 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Education Studies
15 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Teacher Training
13 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
13 coursesTypical fee £20,800 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Computer Science
12 coursesTypical fee £24,800 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
Theology & Religious Studies
Media & Film Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £23,000 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Accounting
Also taught at both: Marketing, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Human Resource Management.
Only at University of Aberdeen
Only at York St John University
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
- York St John University
- £14,000
York St John University is about £6,800 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Aberdeen
- £23,000
- York St John University
- £11,800
York St John University is about £11,200 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
York St John University
Law
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction93%Politics & International Relations
£24,000Salary (3 years)£20,00088%Satisfaction89%Management
£27,000Salary (3 years)£22,50079%Satisfaction67%Economics
£31,000Salary (3 years)£20,00090%Satisfaction71%Psychology (General)
£23,500Salary (3 years)£20,50088%Satisfaction90%Business Studies
£28,500Salary (3 years)£22,500100%Satisfaction95%History
£24,000Salary (3 years)£19,00092%Satisfaction98%Education Studies
£31,000Salary (3 years)£19,00095%Satisfaction77%Teacher Training
£31,500Salary (3 years)£26,50095%Satisfaction93%Film Production & Cinematography
£20,500Salary (3 years)£18,50091%Satisfaction81%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,50077%Satisfaction78%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£20,50090%Satisfaction89%
Showing the 12 largest of 19 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
FAQ
University of Aberdeen vs York St John University: common questions
Is University of Aberdeen or York St John University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £6,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £11,200 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 York St John University?
Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Management, Economics, Psychology (General), Business Studies, History, Education Studies, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology and 13 more.
Is University of Aberdeen or York St John University better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £20,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Aberdeen and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Aberdeen or York St John University offer more courses?
University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.
What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at York St John University?
University of Aberdeen teaches 55 subject areas that York St John University does not, including English Studies, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Celtic Studies, Ancient Languages and 47 more.
What can you study at York St John University but not at University of Aberdeen?
York St John University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including English Literature, Design & Fashion, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Asian Languages & Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language and 16 more.
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