
The University of Aberdeen, Scotland's third-oldest university and the UK's fifth-oldest, has a student population of around 14,000, with some sources placing the figure at 14,500. The university has a large international community, with students from over 120 countries worldwide. The main campus is at King's College in Old Aberdeen, where ancient buildings sit alongside modern, newly refurbished laboratories and other facilities. The university offers almost 370 first-degree courses, as well as over 120 taught Masters degrees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Founding | 1495 |
| Ranking in Scotland | 3rd oldest university |
| Ranking in the UK | 5th oldest university |
| Number of Nobel Prize winners | 5 |
| Number of Students | 12,000 worldwide, with over 14,000 on the main campus |
| Number of Countries Represented | Over 120 |
| Number of First Degree Courses | Almost 370 |
| Number of Taught Masters Degrees | Over 120 |
| Graduate Employability Rate | 96.6% |
| Undergraduate Scholarships | £6,000 per year for new self-funded international students |
| Main Campus | King's College, Old Aberdeen |
| Second Campus | Foresterhill |
| Notable Alumni | Alistair Darling, Tessa Jowell, Nicky Campbell, James Naughtie, Sandy Gall, Glen Oglaza, Derek Rae |
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What You'll Learn

The University of Aberdeen has around 14,000 students
The University of Aberdeen offers a wide range of scholarships and funding opportunities for undergraduate students. For example, the university offers a £6,000 scholarship for each year of their programme to new self-funded international students starting an undergraduate programme in 2025/2026. The university guarantees accommodation for all first-year undergraduate students and offers both catered and self-catered options. There are over a hundred clubs and societies formally affiliated with the students' association, which is responsible for sport at the university.
The University of Aberdeen has a rich cultural heritage and a large international community, with students from over 120 countries. The student population is diverse, with Scottish and English students studying alongside students from a variety of other nationalities. The university has an excellent reputation for teaching quality and research, with 75% of its research considered world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. Five Nobel Prize winners are associated with the university.
The University of Aberdeen has a long history of educating prominent alumni, including former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, former Cabinet Office Minister Tessa Jowell, and two judges of the Supreme Court of Scotland. The university is also known for its strong focus on health and healthcare research, with the region boasting the highest concentration of health and life scientists in Europe. In recent years, the university has opened several new facilities dedicated to teaching and research in healthcare, including the Institute for Medical Sciences, the Health Sciences building, and the Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare.
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The university guarantees accommodation for all first-year students
The University of Aberdeen is a public research university with a global ranking of 172. It offers undergraduate to doctorate-level degree courses and has five campuses: King's College Campus (main), Foresterhill Campus, Oceanlab Campus, Rowett Campus, and Cromarty Campus. The university welcomes over 12,000 students each year and offers 2000+ degrees to choose from.
With such a large number of students, the University of Aberdeen guarantees accommodation for all first-year students, either within university-owned accommodation or with a university-preferred partner. This is a comforting promise for new students, especially those coming from outside Aberdeen, as they are assured of a place to stay when they begin their university journey. The university-owned accommodation includes halls with free Wi-Fi, kitchen and dining facilities, and communal areas. 24-hour security is also available on campus, and rooms are adapted for students with disabilities.
For those who prefer private accommodation, there are many student housing options near the university. These include Spring Gardens, The Combworks, King Street Exchange, and others, which offer a range of room types such as shared rooms, en-suite/private rooms, and self-contained studios. These accommodations provide modern interiors, security features such as CCTV, and fully-furnished rooms.
Students are advised to book their accommodation as early as possible, usually from the first week of November for the following academic year, to secure their preferred room and lock in the price. Additionally, international students, who make up a significant portion of the student population, may need to arrive earlier and stay in hotels or short-term accommodations until their preferred student housing becomes available.
The University of Aberdeen is located in Aberdeen, Scotland's third most popular city, which boasts a charming blend of stunning architecture, rivers, and a vibrant urban centre. With its prestigious universities and colleges, Aberdeen is an ideal destination for students, offering a well-rounded university experience.
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There are over 150 sports clubs and societies
The University of Aberdeen offers a wide range of extracurricular activities for its students, with over 150 sports clubs and societies to choose from. The Students' Association is responsible for sports at the university, which is managed by the Aberdeen University Sports Union, an AUSA committee.
The Aberdeen Sports Village is home to world-class aquatic facilities and hosts the University of Aberdeen Performance Swimming (UOAPS) programme. This programme provides professional coaching and a high-performance pathway for swimmers based in Aberdeen and is open to students at the university. The Butchart Student Centre, which opened in 2009, acts as the headquarters of the Students' Association and provides a range of facilities for student societies.
The University of Aberdeen's main campus is at King's College in Old Aberdeen, with a second campus at Foresterhill accommodating the School of Medicine, Medical Science, and Nutrition. The King's College campus covers an area of around 35 hectares and hosts most student facilities, including many sports clubs and societies. The campus includes the ancient King's College buildings and is located 2 miles north of Aberdeen city centre.
With such a wide range of clubs and societies, students at the University of Aberdeen can explore various interests and connect with like-minded individuals. Whether one is a sports enthusiast or seeking a more traditional society, the university offers something for everyone. The wealth of extracurricular options enhances the student experience and provides opportunities for students to develop new skills and build lasting friendships.
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Half of students study medicine, science or engineering
The University of Aberdeen is Scotland's third oldest and the United Kingdom's fifth oldest university. The university's main campus is at King's College in Old Aberdeen, with a second campus at Foresterhill accommodating the School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition.
The University of Aberdeen is an excellent choice for students interested in medicine, science, or engineering. The university's School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, and Nutrition offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in these fields. The school is known for its innovative teaching and extensive research facilities, with world-class professors and lecturers.
The Medicine programme at Aberdeen is highly competitive, especially for non-Scottish students. The course provides a unique, integrated teaching style that includes interactive lectures, small group workshops, and practical laboratory classes. In the first term, students gain knowledge and understanding of medical sciences and disease processes. In the second term, the course takes a systems-based approach, using clinical cases to teach anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. Throughout the course, students have the opportunity to pursue their interests through student-selected modules and components, gain early patient contact, and experience remote and rural medicine.
Aberdeen's School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, and Nutrition also offers intercalated degrees. Students can undertake a one-year intercalated honours degree in Medical Science or Medical Humanities at the end of the third or fourth year. Additionally, there are 13 intercalated MSc degrees available for those who have completed four years of MBChB study or hold a Bachelor's degree.
While I cannot confirm that exactly half of the students at the University of Aberdeen study medicine, science, or engineering, the popularity and reputation of the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, and Nutrition attract many students to these fields.
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The main campus is at King's College
The University of Aberdeen has around 14,000 students enrolled. The main campus is at King's College in Old Aberdeen, which was the first university in the city, the third in Scotland, and the fifth in the British Isles. Founded in 1495, it is now an integral part of the University of Aberdeen. The historic buildings of King's College are the centrepiece of the Old Aberdeen campus, often referred to as the King's or King's College campus. The college's original buildings and High Street form the heart of the modern campus and are still used for teaching and housing academic departments.
The focal point of the college, as well as its oldest building, is the late 15th-century King's College Chapel. The chapel forms the north side of the original quadrangle of King's College, with construction beginning in 1498 and ending with its consecration in 1509. The most notable architectural feature is its Crown Tower, which has become an icon of the university. The college today also houses the Sacrist's office, the Divinity Library, lecture theatres, the King's College Conference Centre, and several classrooms and offices. The rear of King's College is now used as a sports pavilion.
The King's College campus covers an area of around 35 hectares, including the ancient buildings and High Street. It hosts about two-thirds of the university's built estate and most student facilities, and it is located 2 miles north of Aberdeen city centre. During the 20th century, the university purchased land around the original buildings and constructed new ones to facilitate expansion. These newer buildings reflect the architecture of their respective periods, with the most recent being the Science Teaching Hub, completed in 2021.
The university does not own all the buildings on the "campus", which also include private residences, shops, and businesses. It is best thought of as a district of the city dominated by the university. The campus features a traditional social space, the Butchart Student Centre, which acts as the headquarters of the Students' Association and provides a wide range of student facilities. There are over a hundred clubs and societies formally affiliated with the students' association, which is also responsible for managing sports at the university.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Aberdeen has a student population of around 14,000, with some sources citing 14,500 students.
The University of Aberdeen has a large international community, with students from over 120 countries worldwide, making up a community of around 12,000 students.
The University of Aberdeen's main campus is at King's College in Old Aberdeen, where ancient buildings stand alongside modern 20th-century facilities. The campus covers 35 hectares, hosting most student facilities and two-thirds of the university's built estate.
The University of Aberdeen offers a wide range of extracurricular activities with over 150 sports clubs and societies. The Butchart Student Centre acts as the headquarters of the Students' Association and provides various student facilities. The university guarantees accommodation for first-year undergraduate students and offers a mix of catered and self-catered options.











































