University of Aberdeen

Overview

The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495, making it the third-oldest university in Scotland and fifth oldest in the UK. Five Nobel Prize winners are associated with the University, and students electing to study at Aberdeen would be joining a varied and thriving community of around 12,000 students worldwide.

The University of Aberdeen offers first-class learning resources situated in a beautiful campus. At the main campus, you will find ancient buildings with modern, newly refurbished laboratories, excellent computing facilities and the latest library technology. Social and sporting facilities are of a high standard, with over 150 sports clubs and societies available for students to join.

Roughly half of University of Aberdeen students study medicine, science or engineering, with arts and social sciences also popular. A cosmopolitan atmosphere of Scottish and English students alongside 120 different nationalities ensures an exciting multi-cultural atmosphere, with Aberdeen’s remote location attractive to students worldwide. University of Aberdeen graduates also enjoy some of the highest starting salaries in Scotland and was named Scotland's safest university city by the Complete University Guide.

Services for International Students

The University of Aberdeen has a 14,500 student population from over 120 countries. The Student Support Service will ensure that any international student wanting to study in Aberdeen feels right at home from the moment they arrive, and advice is available on several issues, including academic, personal, medical and financial.

Ranking

• 15th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 12th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• 236th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
• 201st-250th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024

The University of Aberdeen has maintained its position as fifth in Scotland for research power during the REF 2021, which covers 2014 to 2020. Highlights include:

• 5th in Scotland for Research Power
• 1st in the UK for Theology and Religious Studies
• 1st in Scotland and 8th in the UK for Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care
• Top quartile for Research Power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Accommodation

The University of Aberdeen guarantees accommodation for all first-year undergraduate students. The university has recently invested £20m in new accommodation, and wireless internet is accessible and free of charge in all residence halls.

Catered and self-catered accommodation is available, depending on your budget and preference. The Student Accommodation Office can assist you in finding private housing in the city, with its new, student-friendly online database.

Location

The University of Aberdeen is located in Aberdeen, boasting a rich cultural heritage. Aberdeen is an attractive and welcoming city with a population of approximately 220,000. Aberdeen is both big enough to offer a ‘big city’ experience but also compact enough to navigate easily.

Aberdeen caters for all tastes in arts, culture, leisure and entertainment. A wide variety of museums, galleries, and leisure and sports facilities are all within close range of student accommodation. The city also offers fantastic nightlife, particularly for students. Aberdeen Airport connects the city to the rest of the UK and Europe, while the train station runs direct services to both Edinburgh and London.

Alumni

Many famous faces have studied at the University of Aberdeen, including a leading number of UK government officials including Alistair Darling and Tessa Jowell. Radio and television personalities Nicky Campbell, James Naughtie, Sandy Gall, Glen Oglaza and Derek Rae were also students at the University of Aberdeen.