University of St Andrews vs Aalto University: Complete Comparison 2026
Side-by-side look at University of St Andrews and Aalto University: QS 2026 ranks 113 vs 114. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical IB/A-Level signa…
→ University of St Andrews profile → Aalto University profile
Summary comparison
Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.
| Metric | University of St Andrews | Aalto University |
|---|---|---|
| QS rank 2026 | 113 | 114 |
| Location | St Andrews, GB 🇬🇧 | Espoo, FI 🇫🇮 |
| Tier | top300 | top300 |
| Acceptance rate | — | — |
| Tuition (intl / yr) | — | — |
| Testing policy (US HS notes) | US applicants may use Common App or direct application routes; testing and transcript rules on international pages. | US applicants follow international bachelor guidance; mathematics readiness is emphasised for engineering. |
| Standardised test (mid / range) | — | — |
| Language (summary) | — | — |
| IB typical | IB Diploma with HL minima by course; English language requirements listed centrally. | IB recognised for programmes that list it; Finnish/Swedish proficiency may apply to Finnish-medium bachelor tracks. |
| A-Level typical | SQA and A-level offers published by programme; medicine uses UCAT and Scottish admissions processes. | UK qualifications assessed against Finnish upper-secondary equivalences; portfolio required for arts programmes. |
| Notable programmes | — | — |
Strengths
University of St Andrews
- UK-style undergraduate depth with strong research postgraduate pathways.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
Aalto University
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
Popular majors (overlap)
Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).
No overlapping popular-major labels in our dataset yet — open each profile for subject-level detail.
Which is right for you?
If rankings are your north star
University of St Andrews sits higher in QS 2026 (113 vs 114). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but Aalto University can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.
If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school
Compare the admission tabs on each profile: University of St Andrews vs Aalto University can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.