Aberdeen is comfortably nestled along the Rivers Dee and Don on Scotland's North Sea coast. In medieval times, the university received the historical royal burgh status. Today, the city functions as a busy seaport and holds significance as the British centre for the North Sea oil industry. While its historical industries included fishing, textiles, shipbuilding and papermaking, the contemporary economy of Aberdeen has shifted to the oil sector. However, this economic landscape has evolved to include sectors like electronics design and renewable energy resources. In 2012, HSBC recognised Aberdeen as a leading city for business and also voted it as one of the UK's 'super cities.' Notably, Aberdeen was the only city in Scotland to receive this honour. Attractively, a 2018 study by Paymentsense saw Aberdeen as the best city in the UK to initiate a business.
For those considering study in Aberdeen, the city presents a choice between two prominent universities. The University of Aberdeen is the essence of a classic "red brick" university with enduring traditions. In contrast, Robert Gordon University (RGU), has a medical and technical core. Both universities have an approximate student population of 15,000. Despite their differences, there is a healthy rivalry between students of these institutions. The student population of these two universities make up nearly 15% of the total city population who are engrossed in various minors and masters in Aberdeen. In a city with a total population of 230,000, the student community numbers are around 30,000.
Why Study In Aberdeen?
Study abroad in Aberdeen offers a variety of benefits, including academic opportunities, nightlife, entertainment and a strong job market. Here are some reasons why you should consider studying in Aberdeen:
Shopping
Notably, the city has a great shopping scene with centres such as Union Square, Union Street, Bon Accord and the Trinity Shopping Centre. Craft and vintage markets, along with outdoor farmers and international food markets, provide additional leisure options for students after attending colleges in Aberdeen.
Parks
Codona's Amusement Park and Queens Links provide an enjoyable day out, especially with available student discounts. It is just a brief five-minute drive from the city centre, Codona's offers mini golf, ten-pin bowling and amusement games. Queens Links further enhances the experience with a nine-screen Cineworld and a selection of restaurants, including TGI Fridays, Bella Italia and Pizza Hut.
Entertainment
Aberdeen is hugely known for the Aberdeen International Youth Festival annually in June. It takes place for ten days and has performances from amateur groups worldwide. There are opera, choir, dance and theatrical performances, as well as art exhibitions happening. Aberdeen's live music environment is also like no other in Scotland.
Alumni
The alumni who have studied at the top universities in Aberdeen have gone ahead and won many awards and accolades. These include actor Iain Glen (known for his role as Ser Jorah Mormont on Game of Thrones), Frank Mulholland, QC (Lord Advocate for Scotland) and the Rt Hon Alistair Darling, MP (former Chancellor of the Exchequer).
Top Universities And Global Ranking
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Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 14,400
£ 16,200
#236
£ 14,400
£ 16,200
An ancient university established in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is a public research university located in the city of Aberdeen in Scotland in the United Kingdom. Tracing its roots 527 years ago, the university is the third-oldest university in Scotland and the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. Initially, the university was just established as King’s College and went on to become the University of Aberdeen as a merger between King’s College and Marischal College in 1860. The university has been among the most prominent structures in Scottish history and has played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation, Scottish Enlightenment and the Scottish Renaissance.
The university is divided into 12 schools along with housing multi-disciplinary institutes and research centres. They offer a wide range of courses within a broad range of disciplines. It offers around 650 undergraduate programmes along with a large number of postgraduate and doctoral/research programmes.
- School of Divinity, History and Philosophy
- School of Education
- School of Language, Literature, Visual Culture and Music
- School of Law
- School of Social Science
- University of Aberdeen Business School
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
- School of Psychology
- School of Engineering
- School of Geosciences
- School of Natural and Computing Sciences
- Postgraduate Research School
The university’s academic affiliations include Aurora, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Universities Scotland, Universities UK (UUK), University of the Arctic (UArctic), and the European University Association (EUA).
Inverness, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 15,204
£ 4,320
£ 15,204
£ 4,320
#108
The University of the Highlands and Islands is a multi-campus university located in Scotland, UK. It is the only university based in the Highlands and Islands region of Scotland and serves a large geographic area, with campuses and learning centres throughout the region. The University was formed in 2011 by the merger of 13 colleges and research institutions. The oldest of UHI's 12 colleges and research institutions was formed in the 19th century, despite the fact that it is Scotland's newest university. The network has a distinctive structure and is a multi-campus institution.
There are over 70 local learning centres, 13 colleges, and research facilities present at Dornoch, Fort William, Elgin, Argyll, Perth, Shetland, Thurso, Orkney and Inverness.
Students are free to choose any campus out of all the available sites according to their convenience. Through these UHI offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, as well as research opportunities, in a variety of subject areas, including:
Business and management, Creative industries, Education, Engineering, Environment and rural studies, Health, Humanities and Science and technology
London, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 26,592
£ 9,250
#40
£ 26,592
£ 9,250
Kings Collеgе London (KCL) was founded in 1829 by King Gеorgе IV and thе Dukе of Wеllington. It was foundеd to providе altеrnativе highеr еducation to thе Univеrsity of Oxford and Univеrsity of Cambridgе which followеd thе Church of England at thе timе. Kings College London is a prestigious university spread across five campuses in central London: Strand, Guy's, Waterloo, St Thomas', and Denmark Hill. This vibrant university boasts a rich history dating back to 1829 and is known for its academic excellence, diverse student body, and international outlook.
Kings College London stands as a renowned institution, ranking among the top 10 universities in the UK. Offering a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, it spans fields such as education, communication, arts, and humanities. The School of Education, Communication & Society within Kings College London delivers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches, critical insights into educational policies, and fostering analytical and research capabilities. Additionally, the university presents short courses across varied disciplines, highlighting its academic prowess. With its contemporary amenities and resources, Kings College London ensures students benefit from an outstanding academic setting in central London.
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 14,400
£ 7,210
#901 - 950
£ 14,400
£ 7,210
Robert Gordon University is a public university located in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. It was founded in 1750 as the Robert Gordon's Hospital and later became a technical college before being granted university status in 1992. The university evolved from the various educational institutions that grew up in Aberdeen to offer adults technical, vocational, and artistic training, primarily during the evenings and part-time. The university saw several mergers with the Technical College and the Institute of Technology and ramped up its research and started providing degree-level education. Finally, it achieved university status in 1992.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree programmes across various faculties such as engineering, health, business and design. There are 114 undergraduate and 111 graduate programmes at the university. The institution has 11 schools that each conduct academic programmes. Departments are inside each school and are overseen by a head of the school. To support the activities of the institution, there are also many administrative departments. All of these academic departments are located on the main campus of the university. These eleven schools are:
- Aberdeen Business School
- School of Applied Social Studies
- School of Computing
- School of Creative and Cultural Business
- School of Engineering
- Gray's School of Art
- School of Health Sciences
- The Law School
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
- The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & Built Environment
Admission Process & Requirements
International students in Aberdeen are usually 20 years or older hence students should be around the age of 18 or older at the time of application. Here are the documents required and the admission process:
Documents Required
- Academic transcripts.
- English proficiency test scores. TOEFL-IBT: 83-100/IELTS: 6.5-7.0
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose/Essay
- C.V. and portfolio.
- Resume or CV.
Admission Process
- Complete the Application Form
- Enroll in Your Desired Course
- Gather Necessary Documents
- Settle Application Fees
- Review and Submit
- Await the University's Response via mail
Scholarships In Aberdeen
The private and public universities in Aberdeen provide the best of the best for students. These include various types of financial aid. Read about the scholarships in Aberdeen down below:
Undergraduate Progression Scholarships: The University of Aberdeen offers progression scholarships to undergraduate pathway students who achieve a grade B (equivalent to at least 68%).
- Amount: £2,500
Postgraduate Progression Scholarships: Postgraduate students who achieve the equivalent of at least 68% in their chosen postgraduate programme are eligible for a scholarship.
- Amount: £2,000
International Undergraduate Scholarships: The University of Aberdeen offers scholarships for international undergraduate students. The eligibility criteria include being an international student intending to study at Aberdeen and commencing undergraduate study in any programme other than Medicine and Dentistry.
- Amount: £3,000 per annum
Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships: The University of Aberdeen's main undergraduate scholarship scheme aims to attract the best students, regardless of their financial circumstances. This includes scholarships such as the Robertson Trust – Journey to Success Scholarships and the Cormack Family Foundation Gateway 2 Medicine Scholarships.
- Amount: £3,000 per year
FAQs
Aberdeen, known as the "Granite City" for its distinctive architecture, offers a unique and rewarding experience for students seeking to study abroad.
On average students will have to pitch in £312 - £624 to live here.
On average students will have to pitch in £312 - £624 to live here.
Aberdeen has an efficient bus service, featuring a city network operated by First Bus and a broader network covering areas managed by Stagecoach.
Old Aberdeen, Rosemount and Midstocket, Bridge of Don and Ruthrieston are some of the neighbourhoods where students choose to live in Aberdeen.
