Universities in Aberdeen
Have you been to Aberdeen? Discover more about the best universities in this city, as well as transport links and things to see and do.
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CONTENTS
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Why study in Aberdeen?
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About Aberdeen
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University of Aberdeen
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Robert Gordon University
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Living in Aberdeen
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Entry requirements
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Transport links
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Getting around Aberdeen
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Things to do in Aberdeen
Why study in Aberdeen?
This is a top place for students to live in as it's safe, diverse, and offers a busy city life with plenty of green spaces as well as the beach.
About Aberdeen
Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland after Glasgow and Edinburgh. Known as the 鈥淕ranite City鈥� for its grey stone buildings, the city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, green spaces, and a beautiful beach. If you鈥檙e lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights but wrap up warm 鈥� Aberdeen is famous for its windy weather, thanks to its position on the coast.
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen dates back to 1495 and is the fifth oldest university in the UK. Its medieval campus promotes a 21st-century outlook, attracting academics and students from across the world.
Location
There are two main campuses, Foresterhill and Old Aberdeen. Foresterhill is the base for Life Sciences and Medicine. Nearer the sea, Old Aberdeen houses the Arts, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and the main library. A free shuttle bus service connects the halls, campuses, and city centre.
Facilities
Unusually, the University of Aberdeen has three museums on campus, with exhibitions changing often. As well as numerous books and eight floors, the modern library gives great views of the sea. Specialist libraries cater for students of law and medicine. There is also a good range of sporting facilities, including many sports pitches.
See University of Aberdeen profile page for an interactive map and more information.
Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University, or RGU, as people often call it, has a modern campus with up-to-date facilities. It equips students to thrive in their careers through applied learning and relevant courses. The uni has a particularly strong reputation for physiotherapy.
Location
Garthdee Campus is in the south-west of the city, in parkland next to the River Dee. It鈥檚 a 20-minute bus journey into the centre, with a regular service offering student discounts.
Facilities
There are good sporting facilities on campus including gyms, a climbing wall and a swimming pool. The library is at the heart of the site, with study spaces and four floors of resources. Each of the main campus buildings have a food and drink offer.
See Robert Gordon University profile page for an interactive map and more information.
Living in Aberdeen
You鈥檒l usually spend the first year in student halls provided by your university. You鈥檒l have a choice of halls on campus or accommodation closer to the centre with different room options depending on your budget. Living in student halls makes it easier to meet people you鈥檒l have things in common with. Other perks include 24/7 on-hand support, Wi-Fi, bike storage and access to nearby facilities like gyms and learning centres.
From the second year onwards, you鈥檒l move into private accommodation. It鈥檚 a good idea to think about this during the second half of your first year so you have more choice. Old Aberdeen is a popular option as it's cheaper than the city centre but still close by. Garthdee is further out but has good public transport links. Rosemont is another popular student hub.
- READ MORE
- Student accommodation guide
Entry requirements
Entry requirements vary from uni to uni and course to course. The best way to check what you need to get into your preferred course at each university is to use our . There you can see what each course鈥檚 entry requirements are.
Transport links
Average train journey times from Aberdeen
| Birmingham | 7 hours |
| Cardiff | 10 hours |
| London | 7 hours 15 minutes |
| Manchester | 6 hours 40 minutes |
| Bristol | 9 hours 30 minutes |
| Glasgow | 2 hours 45 minutes |
Getting around Aberdeen
Aberdeen is a compact city, so it's easy to get around by foot, bike, bus, or train.
Bus
If it鈥檚 blowing a hoolie or just a bit windy, it's easy to catch the bus. First Bus runs a regular service from the University of Aberdeen to Robert Gordon University, passing all the halls of residence on the way. There are also bus links to the towns and villages in Aberdeenshire if you want to head out into the countryside.
Train
The train station is in the heart of the city and provides a frequent service to and from major cities in the UK. Glasgow and Edinburgh are about three hours away by train if you fancy a visit.
Cycle
While the city is best explored by foot, there are some cycling routes available. You can download cycling maps from Aberdeen City Council website. These show cycle lanes, places to lock bikes and other cycle facilities.
Walk
Once in the city, it鈥檚 easily navigated by foot, with most facilities within walking distance of each other. Aberdeen鈥檚 golden sandy beach is only a ten-minute walk from the centre.
Other
For a more expensive option, there are numerous taxi companies operating in the city.
Things to do in Aberdeen
Aberdeen is a lively place with plenty to keep you busy while you鈥檙e studying here. Whether it鈥檚 some downtime on the beach, relaxing in the park, or soaking up some culture, you鈥檒l be spoilt for choice.
Nightlife
You鈥檒l find something going on every night of the week at venues around the city. Notable clubs include Popworld, Babylon, The Tunnels, and Unit 51, covering everything from techno to R&B.
If clubbing isn't your thing, there are lots of bars and pubs in the centre. Belmont Street is a good place to start, with Ma Cameron's being a popular haunt. Haunted in more ways than one 鈥� it's rumoured to have a ghost. Or head to Drummonds for live music, open mic or comedy.
Outdoors
When you want a break from the library, some fresh air is a good idea. Head for one of the many parks like Union Terrace Gardens or Duthie Park, complete with botanical gardens.
The beach is a great place to go whatever the season for a walk, boat trip, or some water sports. You鈥檒l also find an ice rink, cinema, and funfair.
If you fancy adventure outside the city, the Aberdeenshire countryside offers a wide range of activities to choose from. Hiking, mountain-biking, gliding, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, surfing, kiteboarding... Pick your favourite challenge and go for it.
Arts and culture
Aberdeen has not one but two old towns, so there鈥檚 plenty of history to take in. Old Aberdeen has cobbled streets and a 15th-century cathedral while Footdee, or Fittie as it鈥檚 known, is a quirky historic fishing quarter.
Aberdeen Art Gallery has an impressive collection to visit. If you want something a little edgier, the Nuart festival, celebrating street art, transforms the walls of the city once a year.
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