University of Aberdeen : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details | Top Universities
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# =262QS World University Rankings

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664Undergrad. & Postgrad. Programmes

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About University of Aberdeen

Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen holds an ancient tradition of modern thinking that has sparked lasting change for over 525 years.

At Aberdeen, education is informed by active research delivered across 12 schools working together through an interdisciplinary approach. This unique perspective attracts students and staff from across the globe with a diverse community of over 130 nationalities and 14,500 students coming together to find solutions to today’s biggest challenges.

The University of Aberdeen is dedicated to creating real-world change in five key interdisciplinary areas; Energy Transition, Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity, Environment and Biodiversity, Data and AI, and Health, Nutrition and Wellbeing.

At the heart of this interdisciplinary mindset is a supportive and welcoming community. University of Aberdeen students can expect a very high level of support ranging from academic solutions to health and wellbeing.

Aberdeen has a long history of welcoming international students and has built a wide range of support, including a substantial portfolio of scholarships and bursaries and a dedicated International Centre.

With the perfect blend of campus and city, students at Aberdeen have everything they need close at hand, including state of the art learning environments, miles of golden coastline, an exciting and vibrant city and a supportive family of fellow innovators and boundary breakers.

About University of Aberdeen

Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen holds an ancient tradition of modern thinking that has sparked lasting change for over 525 years.

At Aberdeen, education is informed by active research delivered across 12 schools working together through an interdisciplinary approach. This unique perspective attracts students and staff from across the globe with a diverse community of over 130 nationalities and 14,500 students coming together to find solutions to today’s biggest challenges.

The University of Aberdeen is dedicated to creating real-world change in five key interdisciplinary areas; Energy Transition, Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity, Environment and Biodiversity, Data and AI, and Health, Nutrition and Wellbeing.

At the heart of this interdisciplinary mindset is a supportive and welcoming community. University of Aberdeen students can expect a very high level of support ranging from academic solutions to health and wellbeing.

Aberdeen has a long history of welcoming international students and has built a wide range of support, including a substantial portfolio of scholarships and bursaries and a dedicated International Centre.

With the perfect blend of campus and city, students at Aberdeen have everything they need close at hand, including state of the art learning environments, miles of golden coastline, an exciting and vibrant city and a supportive family of fellow innovators and boundary breakers.

Available programmes

University information

Since 1495, our campus has seen many changes, but the medieval core situated around the historic King’s College building has remained constant. While we still use the historic King’s College Quad for teaching (although the classrooms have been updated!), over the centuries we’ve continued to add and innovate, growing our campus to the ideal blend of old and new you’ll find today.

Our health campus at Foresterhill has always been at the very heart of medical innovation. Students studying Medicine and Medical Sciences will work in purpose-built facilities where you can also find the world’s very first fullbody MRI scanner on display.

To keep breaking boundaries in education and research, we need to keep innovating. We are committed to investing in our campus to provide the very best learning resources for our students. Our iconic Sir Duncan Rice Library is so much more than a study space. With social and collaborative spaces, a public lending library and museum, the Library embodies our foundational promise to be open to all in the service of others.

Opened in 2022, the Science Teaching Hub is a modern learning space designed around the provision of specialist teaching, training and learning for students across a number of disciplines including chemistry, medical sciences, biological sciences and geosciences.

Aberdeen Sports Village meanwhile offers Olympic-standard sports and exercise facilities. With a wide range of options available for team sports, group exercise and solo pursuits, the only challenge will be beating your personal best.

Sports Facilities

  • 50 metre, 10 lane Olympic standard swimming pool
  • Full size, 3rd Generation FIFA approved indoor football pitch
  • IAAF approved indoor athletics area with 135 metre running straight, throwing and jumping areas and free weight zone
  • International standard diving pool with moveable floor
  • Sauna and steam room
  • Large multi-purpose sports hall
  • 4 squash courts (2 glass-backed)
  • Large fitness suite and performance gymnasium; 2 studios
  • 400 metre outdoor athletics track and stadium
  • Floodlit water-based hockey pitch
  • Well-being Centre (with physiotherapy clinic)
  • A crèche, café and spectator seating

  Arts, Cultural and Recreational Facilities

  • The University's extensive museum collections of national importance consist of European and Mediterranean Archaeology, Fine Art, Non-Western Archaeology and Ethnography, Numismatics, Scientific Instruments, Scottish History & Archaeology, Anatomy, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Geology, Herbarium and Zoology
  • The award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library also features a gallery that is the primary venue for our ongoing programme of temporary exhibitions, showcasing collections from across the University’s art and museum collections. The music collections of The Sir Duncan Rice Library are also excellent.
  • The 16th century King’s College Chapel provides an atmospheric backdrop for chamber concerts, with an acoustic ideally suited to early music and string quartets. The chapel contains a three-manual organ by French builder, Bernard Aubertin, that attracts performers from around the world.
  • The Department of Music provides access to large lecture halls with pianos and audio playback equipment, a dedicated Percussion Studio, and an Early Music Studio for those with a special interest in music from the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • The Butchart Recreation Hall features a large rehearsal space for ensembles such as the University Symphony Orchestra, University Concert Band and University Choral Society.

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74%
26%
4,420
53%
47%
1,268
61%
39%

At Aberdeen you’ll be supported and inspired by our dedicated careers service. They offer a range of activities to help students develop their skills and maximise employability, including networking opportunities with regional, national and global organisations. Careers support includes:

  • One-to-one support via in‑person, online, or telephone appointments to cover CVs, cover letters, applications, interview prep, and job searching
  • Career adviser referrals for in-depth discussions - tailored by School/discipline, including postgraduate study & sector‑specific guidance
  • MyCareerHub platform to manage your appointments, drop-in times, Q&A, networking opportunities, browse vacancies, events, career fairs
  • Access to extensive resource library of mini online courses covering interviews, psychometric tests, applications, networking
  • Internships, volunteering, shadowing: Includes the ABDN Internship programme (70‑hour paid placements, virtual/third‑sector) — recently shortlisted for a national employability award!
  • Career mentoring scheme: Match-making professional mentors with undergrad/postgrad students

Cost of Living

When it comes to choosing a university, the cost of living can make a significant difference to your overall experience. Aberdeen is a city that offers a lot for less. As Scotland’s third-largest city, Aberdeen offers all the advantages of a city experience - diverse culture, excellent public transport, vibrant nightlife, and thriving food and arts scenes - without the high price tag you might find elsewhere in the UK.

Choosing where to study is about more than the course, it’s about where you’ll live, who you’ll meet, and how comfortable your life will be. In Aberdeen, students enjoy the best of both worlds: a dynamic university experience in a friendly, well-connected city, with a cost of living that makes student life more manageable (and more enjoyable)!

Accommodation Costs

One of the biggest expenses students face is rent. In Aberdeen, rental costs are lower on average than in most UK university cities (according to the StuRents website). Transport is another area where students in Aberdeen can save as the city is extremely walkable, and most students find they don’t need a car. There’s an extensive and reliable bus network, and students can get discounted travel passes, helping stretch your budget even further.

Working Part-time

Many students in Aberdeen support themselves with part-time work. As a regional hub for energy, healthcare, education, and tourism, Aberdeen offers a good supply of part-time and flexible jobs. The University’s Careers and Employability Service can help you find work.

Scholarship Support

The University of Aberdeen offers the Aberdeen Global Scholarship to support international undergraduate and postgraduate students. This takes the form of a tuition fee reduction - £6,000 per year for undergraduates and £8,000 for postgraduate students. By reducing tuition costs, the scholarship makes studying in Aberdeen even more affordable, helping you enjoy everything the city and university have to offer with less financial strain.

Accomodation
$4,790
Food
$2,800
Transport
$1,140
Utilities
$5,180

Tuition fees

Overall Tuition Fees
Domestic
9,000 GBP
International
25,000 GBP

We understand that studying abroad is a big investment, and we want to help ease the financial pressure so you can focus on what really matters - your education and your experience. That’s why we offer the Aberdeen Global Scholarship to new, self-funded international students joining us on campus for full-time study in 2025-26.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship – Undergraduate

For the 2025/26 academic year, eligible international undergraduate entrants will receive a £6,000 tuition fee waiver for every year of their degree. This applies to most full-time on-campus undergraduate programmes and is automatically awarded, so there is no separate scholarship application required. Please refer to our website for further details.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship – Postgraduate

If you’re joining us for a postgraduate degree, you may be eligible for a £8,000 tuition fee waiver. This scholarship is open to self-funded international students beginning a full-time, on-campus Masters programme in September 2025 or January 2026. For research Masters starting outside those dates, eligibility may still apply if the programme begins during the 2025/26 academic year. Please refer to our website for further details.

Scholarships

Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.

To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:

Employability

At Aberdeen you’ll be supported and inspired by our dedicated careers service. They offer a range of activities to help students develop their skills and maximise employability, including networking opportunities with regional, national and global organisations. Careers support includes:

  • One-to-one support via in‑person, online, or telephone appointments to cover CVs, cover letters, applications, interview prep, and job searching
  • Career adviser referrals for in-depth discussions - tailored by School/discipline, including postgraduate study & sector‑specific guidance
  • MyCareerHub platform to manage your appointments, drop-in times, Q&A, networking opportunities, browse vacancies, events, career fairs
  • Access to extensive resource library of mini online courses covering interviews, psychometric tests, applications, networking
  • Internships, volunteering, shadowing: Includes the ABDN Internship programme (70‑hour paid placements, virtual/third‑sector) — recently shortlisted for a national employability award!
  • Career mentoring scheme: Match-making professional mentors with undergrad/postgrad students

Rankings & Ratings

University of Aberdeen is one of the top public universities in Aberdeen, United Kingdom. It is ranked #=262 in QS World University Rankings 2026.

QS World University Rankings

  • 2012
    #162
  • 2014
    #148
  • 2015
    #137
  • 2016
    #=137
  • 2017
    #=141
  • 2018
    #=158
  • 2019
    #=172
  • 2020
    #194
  • 2021
    #207
  • 2022
    #205
  • 2023
    #=220
  • 2024
    #208
  • 2025
    #=236
  • 2026
    #=262

QS World University Rankings

  • 2012
    #162
  • 2014
    #148
  • 2015
    #137
  • 2016
    #=137
  • 2017
    #=141
  • 2018
    #=158
  • 2019
    #=172
  • 2020
    #194
  • 2021
    #207
  • 2022
    #205
  • 2023
    #=220
  • 2024
    #208
  • 2025
    #=236
  • 2026
    #=262

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