A Vibrant Student Community: Aberdeen University's Population

how many students in aberdeen university

The University of Aberdeen is a public research university located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Founded in 1495, it is one of the oldest universities in the UK and has a student population of around 15,000, including a large international community of students from over 120 countries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines and is known for its high-quality teaching and research. The main campus features ancient buildings alongside modern facilities, providing a unique blend of tradition and innovation.

Characteristics Values
Year founded 1495
Ranking 41st in the UK
Number of students 14,000-15,000
Percentage of international students 26.3%
Number of countries represented by students 120-130
Number of clubs and societies 150-220
Number of Nobel Prize winners associated with the university 5
Ranking in the Times University Guide 2025 15th
Ranking in the Guardian University Guide 2025 12th
Ranking in the QS World University Rankings 2025 236th
Ranking in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 201st-250th
Ranking in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 31st

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The University of Aberdeen has around 15,000 students

The University of Aberdeen is a public research university in Aberdeen, Scotland, founded in 1495. With around 15,000 students, it is one of the UK's most internationally distinguished universities, drawing students from about 130 different countries.

The university has two campuses: the King's College campus in Old Aberdeen, and the Foresterhill campus, which is home to the School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition. The King's College campus covers an area of about 35 hectares and hosts around two-thirds of the university's built estate and most student facilities. It is located about two miles north of Aberdeen's bustling city centre, which offers a 'big city' experience within a compact space.

The Foresterhill campus, located about 1.75 kilometres east of the Old Aberdeen campus, is co-located with Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. Together, these buildings form one of Europe's largest health campuses.

The University of Aberdeen guarantees accommodation for all first-year undergraduate students and has a wide range of halls of residence, including catered and self-catered options. The university has a large number of sports clubs and societies, with over 150 options available for students to join.

The university combines ancient tradition with modern teaching and learning facilities. It offers almost 370 first-degree courses for undergraduates and over 120 taught Masters degrees for postgraduates. The institution also offers a flexible and individual approach to studies, allowing students to mix, match, and switch subjects as they discover new interests and abilities.

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The university is located in Aberdeen, Scotland

The University of Aberdeen is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is one of the UK's most internationally distinguished universities, with a student population of about 15,000 and a large international community of students drawn from 130 different countries. The university was founded in 1495 when William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland, petitioned Pope Alexander VI on behalf of James IV, King of Scots, to establish King's College. This makes it one of Scotland's four ancient universities and the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university's main campus is at King's College in Old Aberdeen, which is approximately two miles north of the city centre. The King's College campus covers an area of about 35 hectares and hosts around two-thirds of the university's built estate and most student facilities. The historic King's College buildings form a quadrangle with an interior court, with the oldest parts, the Crown Tower and the chapel, dating back to around 1500. The university's Foresterhill campus is located about 1.75 kilometres east of the Old Aberdeen campus and is home to the School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition, as well as other life sciences and medicine facilities. In addition to its campuses in Aberdeen, the university also has an international campus in Doha, Qatar.

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It is the third-oldest university in Scotland and fifth-oldest in the UK

The University of Aberdeen is a public research university in Aberdeen, Scotland. Founded in 1495, it is the third-oldest university in Scotland and the fifth-oldest in the UK.

The university was established when William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland, petitioned Pope Alexander VI on behalf of James IV, King of Scots, to found King's College. The university was modelled on the University of Paris and was intended to be a law school. It was also designed to train doctors, teachers, clergy, lawyers and administrators for the Scottish Crown.

In the 16th century, a second university, Marischal College, was founded in Aberdeen as a Protestant alternative to King's College. Marischal College was established in the commercial heart of the city, while King's College was in the smaller collegiate enclave of Old Aberdeen. The two colleges were rivals, and their students often clashed in brawls on the streets of Aberdeen.

In 1860, King's College and Marischal College merged to form the University of Aberdeen as it is known today. The university now has two campuses: the King's College campus in Old Aberdeen and the Foresterhill campus, which houses the Schools of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition.

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The university has two campuses: King's College and Foresterhill

The University of Aberdeen has two campuses: Kings College and Foresterhill. Kings College is the symbolic centre of the university, with parts of the building dating back to the 15th century. The university was founded in 1495 by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen, who petitioned Pope Alexander VI on behalf of King James IV to establish King's College. The focal point of the college is the late 15th-century King's College Chapel, which is topped with an imperial crown, symbolising universal dominion. The college also includes the Cromwell Tower, built in the 1650s, which continues to function as an observatory today. The King's College campus covers around 35 hectares, housing most student facilities, and is located about two miles north of Aberdeen's city centre.

The Foresterhill campus, located about 1.75 kilometres east of the King's College campus, is home to the university's Life Sciences and Medicine facilities. It is jointly owned by NHS Grampian and the University of Aberdeen and is situated next to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, housing the School of Medicine and Dentistry, as well as the School of Medical Sciences. Together, these buildings form one of Europe's largest health campuses. The Foresterhill campus provides high-quality health services, education, and research, with various food outlets and other services for staff, students, and visitors. The campus includes notable buildings such as the Institute of Medical Sciences, the Institute of Dentistry, and the Lilian Sutton Building, which houses the Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre.

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Aberdeen is ranked 41st in the UK by the Complete University Guide league tables 2025

The University of Aberdeen is ranked 41st in the UK by the Complete University Guide league tables 2025. Founded in 1495, it is one of the UK's most internationally distinguished universities, with a student population of about 15,000 and a large international community of students drawn from 130 different countries. The university's Old Aberdeen Campus has been listed as one of the UK's Top 10 Most Beautiful Historic campuses.

The University of Aberdeen has a proud history of academic excellence and a reputation for world-changing research and teaching. It was founded when William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland, petitioned Pope Alexander VI on behalf of James IV, King of Scots, to establish King's College, making it one of Scotland's four ancient universities and the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university, as it is currently constituted, was formed in 1860 by a merger between King's College and Marischal College, with its iconic buildings acting as symbols of Aberdeen.

The University of Aberdeen offers a wide range of degree programmes and opportunities for its students. Many degrees can be taken with a placement or sandwich year, and there are options to study or work abroad. The university also boasts over 220 sports clubs and societies, as well as Olympic-standard sports facilities. The Aberdeen Sports Village, located across King Street from the Old Aberdeen campus, houses sports facilities and the aquatics centre.

In addition to its academic offerings, the University of Aberdeen provides a rich student experience. 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 Sir Duncan Rice Library, designed by Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen, opened in 2011 and offers stunning views of the city and coastline from its upper floors.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Aberdeen has a student population of about 15,000, with a large international community drawn from 120-130 different countries.

International students make up 26.3% of the student population, with representation from 120-130 different countries.

The university guarantees accommodation for all first-year undergraduate students and has recently invested £20 million in new accommodation.

Roughly half of the students.

5,740, as of 2022/23.

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