University of Aberdeen vs University of Edinburgh

The University of Aberdeen is a public research university in Aberdeen, Scotland. The University of Edinburgh is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Overview Comparison
University of AberdeenUniversity of Edinburgh
Collegedunia Score5.4 Out of 106.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 18 The Guardian 2026
# 201 Times Higher Education 2026
# 262 QS World University 2026
# 13 The Guardian 2026
# 29 Times Higher Education 2026
# 34 QS World University 2026
Subject Strength# 251 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 194 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 13 for Law by The Guardian 2026
# 58 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 24 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 20 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -77
PG Programs -229
UG Programs -41
PG Programs -73
Doctorate Programs -8
Acceptance Rate32.0 %10.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6
PTE-54
TOEFL-80
IELTS-7
PTE-73
TOEFL-100
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   25225.2
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  19997
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 510 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   34713
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  28380
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 5200 Per Year
placement (average package)

Major employers of the gradaute students at the university include PWC, Shell, KPMG, GSK, BP, Siemens, Aberdeen asset management etc.

Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows:

Bachelor in science: $65,000

Master in Finance: $45,000

Master in Science: $69,000

Bachelor (other): $58,000


The University of Edinburgh is one of the top public universities in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It is ranked #15 in QS World University Rankings 2023.Graduate Employability Ranking #49;Top recruiters: Tesco Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Avaloq Evolution AG, Scottish Government; 

Average Salaries by the degree:

  • MBA: $129,000 
  • Bachelor (Other): $99,000 
  • Executive MBA: $93,000 
  • PhD: $80,000 
  • Executive Masters: $75,000 
  • Masters of Arts: $69,000 

application requirements

Applicants must have a minimum of 65% on average

Submit English language proficiency test scores

Check program specific requirements

Transcripts; Proof of English Language Proficiency; Portfolio; Work experience; LORs; Resume; Standardized scores (Optional); Research papers.

CollegeDunia Reviews7.4/10 Read 6 reviews7.3/10 Read 29 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 16 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 251 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 501 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 6 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 73 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 121 for Business by QS World University 2025
application--
exam scoresIELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 62/90TOEFL - 90/120GMAT - 600/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 73/90TOEFL - 100/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -39882Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -
application datesDec 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Dec 15, 2025 (Documents Submission Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Dec 19, 2025 (Fee Deposit Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Aug 2, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
Aug 16, 2026 (Documents Submission Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
Aug 23, 2026 (Fee Deposit Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
Oct 15, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Nov 26, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jan 28, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Mar 4, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Apr 22, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jun 10, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
ranking# 201 for Sciences by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022
# 21 for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning by QS World University 2024
application--
exam scoresDuolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 62/90TOEFL - 90/120IELTS - 7/9PTE - 73/90TOEFL - 100/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -26250Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -
application datesAug 11, 2025 (Application Deadline For September 2025 Intake)
Aug 18, 2025 (Documents Submission Deadline For September 2025 Intake)
Aug 25, 2025 (Fee Deposit Deadline For September 2025 Intake)
Dec 2, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Dec 16, 2025 (Documents Submission Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Mar 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
May 31, 2026 (Application Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of AberdeenUniversity of Edinburgh
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1495
1583
Student:Faculty Ratio15:1
:1
Male:Female45% Male, 55% Female62% Male, 0% Female
Location Facts

The university's main campus is at King's College in Old Aberdeen, where the original buildings are still in use in addition to many 20th century buildings. A second campus at Foresterhill accommodates the School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition. In addition, there are smaller facilities at other sites such as the Royal Cornhill Hospital to the west of the city centre, and the Rowett Institute in Bucksburn.


5 campuses in Edinburgh- Central, King's Buildings, BioQuarter, Western General, Easter Bush; Comprises of 135 acres of land.


Library

The Sir Duncan Rice Library is one of the largest and best equipped in the UK, offering an outstanding learning experience. The Taylor Library for Law and the Medical Library at the Foresterhill Campus also offer specialist subject support and study space. 

The university library services provides students: 

Access to over 1.3 million books and online sources
Over 1500 individual study spaces at three sites
Bookable group-work spaces
Specialist advice for Library and IT enquiries
Assistive Technology booths 
Galleries and events areas for exhibitions and presentations
Tours and workshops to enhance your study skills


Over 3.5 million books; 60 km of Special Collections; Museum and Art Collections; 85,000+ e-journals; 600,000 e-books.


Campus Life

The university has invested heavily in its facilities and learning resources, ensuring that its staff and students have access to everything they need to help them succeed in their work and study. The growth of  the university's learning resources has placed Aberdeen on the map as one of the UK’s leading universities for study and research. The Olympic standard Aberdeen Sports Village and Aquatic Centre is the premier sports facility in the North East of Scotland. It is open to students, staff and the public with facilities for athletics, football, swimming, racquet sports, hockey, martial arts, weight lifting, boxing and fitness classes, as well as spaces for a variety of sports clubs such as trampolining and ultimate frisbee.

f you are looking to enjoy a light bite, a coffee or a craft beer, Union Brew on the ground floor of the Students' Union is the place for you. The Bear Essentials Union Shop sells a range of stationery, meal deals, greetings cards and University of Aberdeen gifts and clothing.

If it’s something more substantial you want to eat, the food court on the first floor of the Students' Union serves a wide range of hot and cold meals, drinks, and snacks. With over 100 clubs and societies to choose from there is something for everyone at The University of Aberdeen. 


Over 290 clubs & societies; Exhibitions; Festivals; Open Days; Gifford Lectures; 10 gyms including- spin studio, Velo-city, Katherine Grainger Rowing Gym, 102-station cardiovascular gym, etc.; 60 Sports clubs; 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool; Multi-activity sports halls; Peffermill Playing Fields.


Hostel#Elphinstone road flats rent/week - $117
#Grant Court rent/week - $127
#Adam Smith house rent/week - $167
#Fyfe House rent/week - $99
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Famous Alumni

Iain Glen, actor. Former English student and recipient of an honorary LLD (2004)

Sir Thomas Sutherland, banker, politician, and founder of the Hong Kong Bank and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).

Alastair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer

Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for the Olympics


3 UK PM’s; 19 Nobel laureates; 3 Turing Award laureates; 1 Fields Medalist; 1 Abel Prize winner; 2 Pulitzer Prize winners; 2 currently sitting UK Supreme Court Justices; several Olympic gold medallists; Robert Edwards (pioneer of in-vitro fertilization); Daniel Rutherford; Alexander Graham Bell; William Wordsworth; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Charles Darwin; Ian Charleson (Actor); J.K. Rowling; Gordon Brown (Former PM of UK)


City Life

Aberdeen is a vibrant, creative and ambitious city, known for its historic charm and cosmopolitan community. The City of Aberdeen has something for everyone, from the bustling city centre of Europe’s Energy Capital, to the beautiful countryside and coastlines, there’s plenty to see and do. Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland and home to a vibrant cultural scene, as well as being easily situated close to the beautiful Scottish coastline and countryside. The city has everything you need from a large city - bustling shopping centres, great cafes and restaurants, and a year-round calendar of events across the city - but also is a compact city, easy to get around and well situated to make the most of everything the North East has to offer.


Edinburgh- seat of the Scottish Government, Parliament and the supreme courts of Scotland; 2nd most populous city in Scotland; Known for National Museum of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh International Festival, Fringe (world's largest annual international arts festival), Palace of Holyroodhouse; Unemployment rate 2.9%.


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