Global University Rankings

The University of Aberdeen consistently performs well in international university rankings, reflecting its strong academic reputation, research output, and global impact. These rankings evaluate institutions based on criteria such as teaching quality, research excellence, international outlook, and industry engagement. Below is a summary of Aberdeen's positions in major global rankings over recent years.

Ranking Body	2024 Position	2023 Position	2022 Position	Key Strengths
QS World University Rankings	201-250	226	239	High scores in academic reputation and international faculty ratio
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings	201-250	201-250	201-250	Strong in research quality and citations per faculty
Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU/Shanghai)	301-400	301-400	301-400	Excellence in natural sciences and highly cited researchers
US News Best Global Universities	234	251	268	Top performance in clinical medicine and biology/biochemistry

In the QS World University Rankings 2024, Aberdeen climbed into the top 250 globally, showcasing improvements in employer reputation and sustainability metrics. The university's ancient heritage, dating back to 1495, contributes to its enduring prestige, making it one of the UK's oldest institutions and a member of the Russell Group, which emphasizes research-intensive education.

UK National Rankings

Within the United Kingdom, Aberdeen holds a solid position among top universities, particularly praised for its student experience and value for money. National rankings often focus on entry standards, student satisfaction, research assessment, and graduate prospects. Here's how Aberdeen fares in prominent UK guides:

• Guardian University Guide 2024: Ranked 27th overall. Aberdeen excels in subjects like medicine (3rd) and earth sciences (4th), with high marks for teaching quality and feedback.
• Complete University Guide 2024: Positioned 40th. It scores 85% for student satisfaction and 82% for research quality, highlighting its balanced approach to undergraduate education.
• The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024: 35th place. Noted for its 92% graduate employability rate and strong international student support.
• Daily Mail Guide 2024: 42nd, with particular acclaim for its campus facilities and low student-to-staff ratio of 13:1.

These rankings underscore Aberdeen's appeal as a mid-tier UK university with elite aspirations. For instance, in the Guardian Guide, it outperforms many peers in value added scores, meaning students achieve higher outcomes than predicted based on entry qualifications.

Subject-Specific Rankings

Aberdeen shines in specialized fields, leveraging its location in Scotland's energy capital and its historical strengths in medicine and law. Subject rankings provide deeper insights into program quality. The table below highlights top-performing disciplines based on 2024 data from QS and THE.

Subject	QS Global Rank 2024	THE Global Rank 2024	UK National Rank (Guardian 2024)	Notable Achievements
Medicine	151-200	126-150	3rd	Renowned for its MBChB program; partnerships with NHS Grampian
Law	101-150	101-125	14th	Strong in international and energy law; 95% employability
Earth & Marine Sciences	51-100	76-100	4th	Benefits from proximity to North Sea oil fields; REF 2021 top 10
Business & Management	201-250	201-250	32nd	Triple-accredited business school; focus on sustainable energy
Engineering - Petroleum	51-100	N/A	10th	World-leading in subsea engineering; industry collaborations
History	51-100	101-125	8th	Special collections in Scottish history; high research impact

In medicine, Aberdeen's program is particularly distinguished, with graduates entering the workforce at rates above the national average. The university's School of Geosciences ranks among the global elite for environmental sciences, driven by research on climate change and renewable energy transitions.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

The UK's REF assesses research quality every seven years, and Aberdeen performed admirably in 2021, with 84% of its research rated world-leading or internationally excellent. This places it in the top 20 UK universities for research power.

• Overall Ranking: 26th in the UK for research power (based on GPA scores).
• Top Units:
  • Clinical Medicine: 100% world-leading or internationally excellent.
  • Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences: 95% at top grades.
  • History: Joint 1st in Scotland for research quality.
• Impact Highlights: Aberdeen's research influences policy in energy, health, and heritage preservation. For example, its work on antimicrobial resistance has global implications.

The REF results affirm Aberdeen's role as a research powerhouse, with £150 million in annual research funding supporting innovative projects like the Scottish Centre for Energy Storage.

Student Satisfaction and Experience

Student feedback is crucial in rankings, and Aberdeen scores highly in satisfaction surveys. The National Student Survey (NSS) 2023 gave the university an overall satisfaction rate of 82%, above the UK average of 80%.

Key metrics include:

• Teaching Quality: 85% positive responses, praised for approachable staff and practical learning.
• Learning Resources: 88%, with modern libraries like the Sir Duncan Rice Library and extensive digital access.
• Student Voice: 84%, reflecting active societies and inclusive policies.
• Personal Development: 83%, emphasizing skills for life beyond academia.

Aberdeen's campus life enhances satisfaction, offering a blend of historic charm and contemporary facilities. It's rated highly for value for money in the Guardian Guide, with affordable living costs in Aberdeen city compared to London or Edinburgh.

Employability and Graduate Outcomes

Aberdeen boasts excellent graduate prospects, with 95% of leavers in employment or further study within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23). This ranks it 32nd in the UK for employability per the Complete University Guide.

Standout sectors:

• Energy and Engineering: 98% employment rate, fueled by ties to oil & gas and renewables giants like Shell and Total.
• Healthcare: 96%, with direct pathways to NHS roles.
• Finance and Business: 92%, supported by the university's career services and alumni network of 100,000+.

The Careers and Employability Service provides tailored support, including internships and global opportunities. Aberdeen's location in Europe's energy hub gives graduates a competitive edge in high-demand fields.

Trends and Future Outlook

Over the past decade, Aberdeen has shown steady improvement in rankings, rising 50 places in QS since 2014. This upward trajectory is driven by strategic investments in digital infrastructure, sustainability, and internationalization—over 120 nationalities on campus.

Challenges include competition from larger UK universities, but Aberdeen counters with niche strengths. Future rankings may benefit from its net-zero carbon goals and expanded online programs. For prospective students, these rankings confirm Aberdeen as a wise choice for quality education in a supportive environment.

In summary, the University of Aberdeen's rankings reflect a commitment to excellence across teaching, research, and student outcomes, positioning it as a top destination for ambitious scholars worldwide.