University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen, United Kingdom • Founded 1495 • QS 2027 #288
Updated Sep 2026 · Source: abdn.ac.uk
Overview
The University of Aberdeen traces its origins to 1495, when Bishop William Elphinstone founded King's College, the UK's fifth university and Scotland's third-oldest.
The first students enrolled in 1505. A second institution, Marischal College, was founded in 1593; the two merged in 1860 to create the modern University of Aberdeen.
Women were admitted to every faculty from 1894, and the Medical School moved into Foresterhill in 1938. Today the university serves around 15,000 students and 3,500 staff drawn from more than 130 nationalities, with teaching organised across four faculties and twelve schools covering subjects from arts and social sciences to engineering, geosciences, life and physical sciences, business, law and medicine.
Its main sites are the historic Old Aberdeen campus, centred on King's College, and the Foresterhill medical campus, alongside international campuses in Qatar, China and India.
Five Nobel Laureates have been among its staff and graduates.
Location & Contact
Address, contact details, and online presence for University of Aberdeen are summarised below.
Academic Details
Scale, staffing, and recognition figures for University of Aberdeen are listed below.
Academic Structures
Below is how University of Aberdeen is organised academically — the schools, faculties, and units.
Unit 2 items
- College of Arts and Social Sciences
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Arts and Social Sciences (College) 20 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Celtic Languages and Studies
- Education
- Film
- French
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Religion
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Spanish
Life Sciences and Medicine (College) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Nutrition
- Protective Services
- Psychology
Physical Sciences (College) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Physics
Programs Offered
Search and filter University of Aberdeen's available programmes by degree level.
561 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Bachelor's Degree 3 programmes
Honours Degree 332 programmes
Showing 10 of 332.
Master of Business Administration 5 programmes
Master's Degree 213 programmes
Showing 10 of 213.
Professional Doctorate 3 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 3 programmes
Scholarships in United Kingdom
These scholarships are open to students studying in the United Kingdom and may apply to programmes at University of Aberdeen.
How to apply to University of Aberdeen
A short guide to applying to University of Aberdeen — five steps.
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1
Research programmes at University of Aberdeen
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. University of Aberdeen offers 561 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Review admissions criteria
Each programme at University of Aberdeen has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Gather supporting documents
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Lodge your application
Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (ucas.com) rather than directly to University of Aberdeen. Postgraduate applicants apply directly through University of Aberdeen's own admissions portal at www.abdn.ac.uk.
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5
Confirm receipt and track progress
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at infohub@abdn.ac.uk or by phone at +44 (1224) 272 000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Aberdeen
Below are key facts about University of Aberdeen, drawn directly from institutional records.
How old is University of Aberdeen?
The institution opened in 1495 (approximately 531 years ago).
Where is University of Aberdeen located?
University of Aberdeen is located in Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
Is University of Aberdeen public or private?
University of Aberdeen is a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at University of Aberdeen?
Student enrolment at University of Aberdeen is around 13,930.
How is University of Aberdeen ranked?
University of Aberdeen holds rank QS 2027 #288.
What programmes are available at University of Aberdeen?
University of Aberdeen offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
What is University of Aberdeen's academic structure?
The institution comprises 2 academic units.
Is University of Aberdeen officially recognised?
Yes, University of Aberdeen is recognised by Privy Council.
What is University of Aberdeen's official website?
The institution's website is www.abdn.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
These are the most highly ranked universities in the United Kingdom. Putting University of Aberdeen alongside them gives a clearer picture of where it sits in the national academic landscape, especially when reputation matters for credential portability.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Below: other European University Association (EUA) member institutions, alongside University of Aberdeen.
Faculties at nearby universities
Also in Aberdeen: universities located close to University of Aberdeen.
Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies
These universities in the United Kingdom also offer Humanities & Cultural Studies programmes, alongside University of Aberdeen.
Universities Compared with University of Aberdeen
The institutions below are of a similar academic scale to University of Aberdeen.
Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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