University of Aberdeen

Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is Scotland's third-oldest and the UK's fifth-oldest university. Its campuses in Old Aberdeen and Foresterhill offer a wide range of UG and PG programmes, with modern facilities blended with history.

The University of Aberdeen is a research-intensive institution located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across various disciplines, including the Arts, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Medicine.

The university operates primarily from two campuses: Old Aberdeen, which houses the Arts, Social Sciences, and Physical Sciences and the main university library, and Foresterhill, dedicated to Life Sciences and Medicine. The campuses blend historic and modern facilities.

In 2021, the University of Aberdeen's commitment to impactful research addressing global challenges was reflected in its receiving the Queen's Anniversary Prize for its research and teaching. The university's strategic vision, Aberdeen 2040, also emphasises its dedication to interdisciplinary research and education.

For international students, the University of Aberdeen offers a £6,000 scholarship for each year of undergraduate study for over 350 undergraduate degrees in the academic year 2025/2026.

The University of Aberdeen is ranked among the top 20 universities in the UK and among the top 200 universities worldwide. It is also recognised for its high student satisfaction.

Overall, the University of Aberdeen combines a rich history with a forward-thinking approach, offering a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields.

William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland, founded the King's College in 1495, the first university in Aberdeen. It took the great European universities of Paris and Bologna as its model.

In 1593, George Keith, the fourth Earl of Marischal, founded another university. Later, King's College and Marischal College were united to form the University of Aberdeen in 1860.

In the beginning, arts and divinity were taught at King's College, while law and medicine were taught at Marischal. Afterward, a separate science faculty was established at Marischal in 1892.

Throughout the 20th century, the university expanded significantly. In 1930, Foresterhill Campus began training medical students. A £57 million modern library was built at King's College, inaugurated by the Queen in September 2012.

Now, with over 15,000 students, the main campus is situated at the home of Bishop Elphinstone's original foundation.

1. Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide  (UK) – 15th
2. Guardian University League Table  (UK) – 12th
3. Complete University Guide  (UK) – 41th
4. Times Higher Education (UK/World) -26th
5. QS World Rankings (UK/World) – 30th
6. 2nd in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland for student satisfaction (The National Student Survey 2024)
7. Awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for research and teaching in Soil Science

Undergraduate

1. Animal Behaviour
2. Animal Behaviour and Welfare
3. Applied Mathematics
4. Archaeology
5. Biochemistry
6. Biological Sciences
7. Biology
8. Biomedical Sciences
9. Business Management
10. Business Management and Information Systems
11. Chemical Engineering
12. Chemistry
13. Childhood Practice
14. Computing Science
15. Computing Science and Mathematics
16. Computing Science and Physics
17. Conservation Biology
18. Data Science
19. Divinity
20. Ecology
21. Engineering
22. Engineering (Civil and Environmental)
23. Engineering (Civil and Structural)
24. Engineering (Civil)
25. Engineering (Electrical and Electronic)
26. Engineering (Electronic and Software)
27. Engineering (Mechanical and Electrical)
28. Engineering (Mechanical with Oil and Gas Studies)
29. Engineering (Mechanical
30. Environmental Science
31. Exercise and Health Science
32. Geography
33. Geology
34. Geology and Physics
35. Geoscience
36. International Law and Comparative Law
37. Law
38. Law - Accelerated
39. Law and European Legal Studies
40. Law and French Law
41. Law and German Law
42. Law and Spanish Law
43. Law with Computing Science
44. Law with English Law
45. Law with English Law - Accelerated
46. Law with English Law and European Legal Studies
47. Law with options in Accountancy
48. Law with options in Business Management
49. Law with options in Economics
50. Law with options in French
51. Law with options in Gaelic Language
52. Law with options in German
53. Law with options in Mandarin, LLB
54. Law with options in Music
55. Law with options in Spanish
56. Marine Biology
57. Mathematics
58. Mathematics and Physics
59. Mathematics with Gaelic
60. Molecular and Cellular Biology
61. Music Education
62. Neuroscience with Psychology
63. Pharmacology
64. Physical Sciences
65. Physics
66. Physics with Astrophysics
67. Physics with Geology
68. Physics with Philosophy
69. Physiology
70. Plant and Soil Science
71. Psychology
72. Psychology with French
73. Sports and Exercise Science
74. Degree Programme
75. Degree Qualification
76. Theology
77. Theology (Online)
78. Zoology

Postgraduate

1. Accountancy
2. Accountancy and Business Management
3. Accountancy and Economics
4. Accountancy and Finance
5. Accountancy and French
6. Accountancy and German
7. Accountancy and Legal Studies
8. Accountancy and Spanish & Latin American Studies
9. Anthropology
10. Anthropology and Archaeology
11. Anthropology and English
12. Anthropology and Film & Visual Culture
13. Anthropology and French
14. Anthropology and French
15. Anthropology and Gaelic Studies
16. Anthropology and Geography
17. Anthropology and German
18. Anthropology and German
19. Anthropology and History
20. Anthropology and International Relations
21. Anthropology and Language & Linguistics
22. Anthropology and Philosophy
23. Anthropology and Politics
24. Anthropology and Politics
25. Anthropology and Psychology
26. Anthropology and Sociology
27. Anthropology and Spanish & Latin American Studies
28. Anthropology and Spanish & Latin American Studies
29. Anthropology and Theology & Religion
30. Applied Mathematics
31. Archaeology
32. Archaeology and Art History
33. Archaeology and Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies
34. Archaeology and Gaelic Studies
35. Archaeology and History
36. Archaeology and Language & Linguistics
37. Art History MA
38. Art History and Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies
39. Art History and English
40. Art History and Film & Visual Culture
41. Art History and French
42. Art History and French
43. Art History and History
44. Art History and Music
45. Art History and Spanish & Latin American Studies
46. Art History and Spanish & Latin American Studies
47. Art History and Theology & Religion
48. Business Management
49. Business Management and Economics
50. Business Management and English
51. Business Management and Finance
52. Business Management and French
53. Business Management and French
54. Business Management and Gaelic Studies
55. Business Management and Geography
56. Business Management and German
57. Business Management and German
58. Business Management and History
59. Business Management and Information Systems
60. Business Management and International Relations
61. Business Management and Legal Studies
62. Business Management and Mathematics
63. Business Management and Politics
64. Business Management and Psychology
65. Business Management and Real Estate
66. Business Management and Sociology
67. Business Management and Spanish & Latin American Studies
68. Business Management and Spanish & Latin American Studies
69. Celtic & Anglo Saxon Studies and German
70. Celtic & Anglo Saxon Studies and Spanish & Latin American Studies
71. Celtic & Anglo Saxon Studies and Theology & Religion
72. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies
73. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and English
74. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and Film & Visual Culture
75. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French
76. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and French
77. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and Gaelic Studies
78. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and German
79. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and History
80. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and Language & Linguistics
81. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and Philosophy
82. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and Sociology
83. Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies and Spanish & Latin American Studies
84. Chemical Engineering
85. Chemistry
86. Civil and Environmental Engineering
87. Civil and Structural Engineering
88. Civil Engineering
89. Civil Engineering with Subsea Technology
90. Comparative Literature & Culture
91. Comparative Literature & Culture and French Studies
92. Comparative Literature & Culture and French Studies
93. Comparative Literature & Culture and Gaelic Studies
94. Comparative Literature & Culture and Gaelic Studies
95. Comparative Literature & Culture and German Studies
96. Comparative Literature & Culture and German Studies
97. Comparative Literature & Culture and Spanish & Latin American Studies
98. Comparative Literature & Culture and Spanish & Latin American Studies  
99. Comparative Literature & Culture with French
100. Comparative Literature & Culture with Gaelic
101. Comparative Literature & Culture with German
102. Comparative Literature & Culture with Mandarin
103. Comparative Literature & Culture with Spanish
104. Computing
105. Computing and Music
106. Computing Science
107. Computing Science
108. Computing Science
109. Computing Science
110. Computing Science and Mathematics
111. Computing Science with Industrial Placement
112. Counselling, Psychology and Education
113. Criminology and Sociology
114. Economics
115. Economics and Finance
116. Economics and French
117. Economics and French
118. Economics and Gaelic Studies
119. Economics and Geography
120. Economics and German
121. Economics and German
122. Economics and History
123. Economics and International Relations
124. Economics and Legal Studies
125. Economics and Mathematics
126. Economics and Philosophy
127. Economics and Politics
128. Economics and Psychology
129. Economics and Sociology
130. Economics and Spanish & Latin American Studies
131. Economics and Spanish & Latin American Studies
132. Electrical and Electronic Engineering
133. Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Renewable Energy
134. Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Robotics
135. Engineering
136. Engineering in Electronic and Software Engineering
137. English
138. English and Film & Visual Culture
139. English and French
140. English and French
141. English and Gaelic Studies
142. English and German
143. English and German
144. English and History
145. English and International Relations
146. Degree Programme
147. Degree Qualification
148. English and Language & Linguistics
149. English and Music
150. English and Philosophy
151. English and Scottish Literature
152. English and Sociology
153. English and Spanish & Latin American Studies
154. English and Spanish & Latin American Studies
155. English and Theology & Religion
156. English Language & Literature
157. English with Creative Writing
158. Film & Visual Culture
159. Film & Visual Culture and French
160. Film & Visual Culture and French
161. Film & Visual Culture and Gaelic Studies
162. Film & Visual Culture and German
163. Film & Visual Culture and German
164. Film & Visual Culture and History
165. Film & Visual Culture and International Relations
166. Film & Visual Culture and Philosophy
167. Film & Visual Culture and Sociology
168. Film & Visual Culture and Spanish & Latin American Studies
169. Film & Visual Culture and Spanish & Latin American Studies
170. Finance
171. Finance and French
172. Finance and French
173. Finance and German
174. Finance and German
175. Finance and International Relations
176. Finance and Real Estate
177. Finance and Spanish & Latin American Studies
178. Finance and Spanish & Latin American Studies
179. French and Gaelic Studies
180. French and Geography
181. French and German
182. French and History
183. French and History
184. French and International Relations
185. French and International Relations
186. French and Language & Linguistics
187. French and Language & Linguistics
188. French and Legal Studies
189. French and Legal Studies
190. French and Music
191. French and Music
192. French and Philosophy
193. French and Philosophy
194. French and Politics
195. French and Politics
196. French and Sociology
197. French and Sociology
198. French and Spanish & Latin American Studies
199. Gaelic Studies and Geography
200. Gaelic Studies and German
201. Gaelic Studies and History
202. Gaelic Studies and Language & Linguistics
203. Gaelic Studies and Music
204. Gaelic Studies and Politics
205. Gaelic Studies and Sociology
206. Gaelic Studies and Spanish & Latin American Studies
207. Gaelic Studies and Theology & Religion
208. Geography
209. Geography and German
210. Geography and German
211. Geography and International Relations
212. Geography and Sociology
213. Geography and Spanish & Latin American Studies
214. Geography and Spanish & Latin American Studies
215. German and History
216. German and History
217. German and International Relations
218. German and International Relations
219. German and Language & Linguistics
220. German and Language & Linguistics
221. German and Legal Studies
222. German and Legal Studies
223. German and Mathematics
224. German and Mathematics
225. German and Music
226. German and Music
227. German and Philosophy
228. German and Philosophy
229. German and Politics
230. German and Politics
231. German and Sociology
232. German and Sociology
233. German and Spanish & Latin American Studies
234. History
235. History and International Relations
236. History and Language & Linguistics
237. History and Legal Studies
238. History and Music
239. History and Philosophy
240. History and Politics
241. History and Sociology
242. History and Spanish & Latin American Studies
243. History and Spanish & Latin American Studies
244. History and Theology & Religion
245. History with Music Studies
246. International Business
247. International Business
248. International Business with French
249. International Business with French
250. International Business with Gaelic
251. International Business with Gaelic
252. International Business with German
253. International Business with German
254. International Business with Mandarin
255. International Business with Mandarin
256. International Business with Spanish
257. International Business with Spanish
258. International Relations and Language & Linguistics
259. International Relations and Legal Studies
260. International Relations and Sociology
261. International Relations and Spanish & Latin American Studies
262. International Relations and Spanish & Latin American Studies
263. International Relations and Theology & Religion
264. Language & Linguistics
265. Degree Programme
266. Degree Qualification
267. Language & Linguistics and Philosophy
268. Language & Linguistics and Psychology
269. Language & Linguistics and Sociology
270. Language & Linguistics and Spanish & Latin American Studies
271. Language & LingMathematics and Spanish & Latin American Studies
272. Mathematics with Gaelic MAuistics and Spanish & Latin American Studies
273. Language and Linguistics with Mandarin
274. Legal Studies and Philosophy
275. Legal Studies and Politics
276. Legal Studies and Psychology
277. Legal Studies and Spanish & Latin American Studies
278. Legal Studies and Spanish & Latin American Studies
279. Mathematics
280. Mathematics and Philosophy
281. Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
282. Mechanical Engineering
283. Mechanical Engineering with Biomechanics
284. Mechanical Engineering with Management
285. Mechanical Engineering with Subsea Technology
286. Medicine
287. Modern Languages and Translation & Interpreting Studies with Overseas Placement
288. Music and Philosophy
289. Music and Theology & Religion
290. Natural Philosophy
291. Petroleum Engineering
292. Philosophy MA
293. Philosophy and Physics
294. Philosophy and Politics
295. Philosophy and Psychology
296. Philosophy and Sociology
297. Philosophy and Theology & Religion
298. Philosophy, Politics and Economics
299. Politics and International Relations
300. Politics and Sociology
301. Politics and Spanish & Latin American Studies
302. Politics and Spanish & Latin American Studies
303. Politics and Theology & Religion
304. Primary Education
305. Psychology
306. Psychology and Sociology
307. Psychology with Counselling Skills
308. Psychology with French
309. Psychology with Gaelic
310. Psychology with German
311. Real Estate
312. Scottish Studies
313. Secondary Education (Honours) with Biology
314. Secondary Education (Honours) with Chemistry
315. Secondary Education (Honours) with Computer Science
316. Secondary Education (Honours) with Physics
317. Sociology
318. Sociology and Spanish & Latin American Studies
319. Sociology and Spanish & Latin American Studies
320. Sociology and Theology & Religion
321. Spanish & Latin American Studies and Music
322. Spanish & Latin American Studies and Music
323. Spanish & Latin American Studies and Theology & Religion
324. Spanish & Latin American Studies and Theology & Religion
325. Theology and Religion

Certificates

1. Certificate in Archaeology
2. Dental Technology
3. Gateway2Medicine

1. 58% Female
2. 42% Male
3. 70% UK Students
4. 13% EU Students
5. 17% International
6. 78% Full-time
7. 22% Part-time
8. 43% First year
9. 57% Other years
10. 39% Postgraduate
11. 61% Undergraduate

Undergraduates

1. Aberdeen Global Scholarship
2. Aberdeen University Entrance Scholarships for students from England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Wales
3. Beatrice Anna Percival Memorial Prize in Geosciences
4. CNR Bill Stiles Scholarship in Accountancy
5. Financial Aid for US Students (UG)
6. Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust
7. Robert Nicol Trust Fellowships and Scholarship UG
8. Stirlingshire Educational Trust
9. The Hamilton Scholarship for Medicine
10. The Malcolm Hutton Scholarship
11. University Scholarships for Bereaved Service Children

Postgraduate taught

1. Aberdeen Alumni Discount
2. Aberdeen Formation Evaluation Society (AFES) Bursaries
3. Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate (For Academic Year 2025/26)
4. Aberdeen Global Scholarship (AFG, BGD, BTN, IND, MDV, NPL, PAK, LKA)
5. Aberdeen Global Scholarship (Africa)
6. Aberdeen Global Scholarship (CHN)
7. Aberdeen Global Scholarship (EU)
8. Aberdeen Global Scholarship (General)
9. Aberdeen Global Scholarship (HGK, JPN, KOR, TWN)
10. CB Davidson Fund
11. Colfuturo
12. ELCAS Enhanced Learning Credits
13. FIDERH
14. Financial Aid for US Students (PG)
15. FUNED - Fundacion Mexicana para la Educacion, la Tecnologia Y la Ciencia, A.C.
16. ICETEX
17. IFARHU Loans
18. Marshall Scholarships
19. NHS Staff Discount
20. Robert Nicol Trust Fellowships and Scholarship PG
21. Stirlingshire Educational Trust
22. The Afetsi Awoonor Prize 2023-24
23. The Data Lab Scholarship (MSc Artificial Intelligence)
24. The Data Lab Scholarship (MSc Geophysics)
25. University of Aberdeen - GREAT Scholarships 2025 - Mexico and Vietnam
26. University of Aberdeen staff discount for online short courses

Postgraduate research

1. Aberdeen Alumni Discount
2. Aberdeen Formation Evaluation Society (AFES) Bursaries
3. Aberdeen Global Scholrship
4. Catherine McConnachie Studentship
5. CB Davidson Fund
6. China Scholarship Council (CSC) Scholarship
7. Colfuturo
8. Divinity Affiliated Institutions Scholarships
9. FIDERH
10. Financial Aid for US Students (PG)
11. ICETEX
12. IFARHU Loans
13. Margaret E.S. Merchant Memorial Scholarship
14. MRC - Research Council Awards
15. Research Council Awards - NERC
16. Robert Nicol Trust Fellowships and Scholarship PG
17. Stirlingshire Educational Trust
18. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BBSRC - Research Council Awards
19. University of Aberdeen staff discount for online short courses

University of Aberdeen offers a lively student experience that includes a range of activities and support systems. With over 120 clubs and societies, including more than 50 sports clubs, it enables students to connect with like-minded people. First-year students are offered guaranteed accommodation.

The university takes care of student wellbeing through various support services, including mental health resources and student helplines. Aberdeen itself is a vivacious city. It has a rich cultural scene, including numerous festivals and beautiful beaches for the students to explore.

Overall, the University of Aberdeen provides a supportive and engaging environment so its students have a fulfilling and well-rounded university experience.

The University offers catered standard and en-suite rooms to self-catered flats as domestic accommodation at the Hillhead Student Village, which is only a short walk from the main campus and a quick bus ride away from the city centre!

Key features:

1. The rents are all-inclusive - no surprise heating or electricity bills,
2. Unlimited and free Wi-Fi,
3. Fast and responsive on-site maintenance team.
4. Security - extensive CCTV, as well as 24/7 team
5. Ample and free parking at Hillhead Student Village
6. Study rooms and outdoor gym.
7. Fun Events

By Car

There is no parking on the university campuses on weekdays. There is limited parking available on campus on weekends. Visitors are advised to travel by public transport where possible.

By Coach

There are regular coach services that connect Aberdeen with the rest of the UK.

By Plane

Aberdeen International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the UK. It's just a short taxi or bus ride from the airport to the university (around 6 miles).

By Train

Aberdeen train station is a 10-minute bus ride from the university's main (King's College) campus or a 25-minute walk. From the train station, you can get the number 1 or 2 First bus service to King Street By Bus. Once you arrive in Aberdeen, there are plenty of quick and direct bus routes all over the city.

The University of Aberdeen is situated in the town of Aberdeen, Scotland. It has two campuses: Old Aberdeen and Foresterhill. The Old Aberdeen campus, located approximately two miles north of the city centre, serves as the historic heart of the university.

The Arts, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and the main university library are located there. The Foresterhill campus is dedicated to Life Sciences and Medicine and is situated adjacent to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Aberdeen is recognized as Scotland's Safest University City. The city offers a dynamic and friendly community. The city is easily accessible from various parts of the UK and beyond.