Student life
Discover the Aberdeen Family - a supportive student community made up of over 130 nationalities, so you can feel at home no matter where you’re from.
Join the Aberdeen Family
One of the benefits of studying at Aberdeen is being part of the Aberdeen Family. The Aberdeen Family is a welcoming and supportive network of staff and students from all over the world. Here, you will be able to embrace Scotland's unique heritage whilst also exploring the multicultural atmosphere of the city and University.
Scottish culture in an international atmosphere
With students from more than 130 nations represented on campus, the University of Aberdeen is a truly multicultural place to be a student. Scotland may be famous for its iconic heritage — but alongside the tartan, bagpipes and highland cows, you will benefit from international cuisine, music and friendships.
World-class facilities
Aberdeen boasts impressive facilities both inside and outside of the classroom. No matter your choice of subject, you’re destined to benefit from some of the multimillion pound investments made into study and research at the University:
- Bloomberg Terminal - helping business students gain real-world experience in financial trading.
- Sir Duncan Rice Library - home to seven floors of books on everything from the arts and humanities to science, as well as a gallery, 1,200 study spaces, and a break room with panoramic views of the city. The building itself has won many architectural awards and is made from more than 22,000 tonnes of concrete and 760 glass panels.
- Home to one of the largest health campuses in Europe.
- Aberdeen Sports Village - Olympic-standard sports facilities open to International Study Centre students from day one.
- Science Teaching Hub, opened in 2022, has been 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.
Ranked 12th in the world, 6th in the UK and 1st in Scotland for international outlook
(Times Higher Education World Rankings 2024)
Sir Duncan Rice Library named one of the most beautiful in the world
(CEOWORLD Magazine 2016)
120+ clubs and societies, and 50+ sports clubs so you can keep growing and learning outside of the classroom
The Sir Duncan Rice Library is famous for its architecture and collection of books. You'll be able to study in here as an Aberdeen student.
The Aberdeen campus is home to lots of exciting events throughout the year
The University's engineering facilities are home to groundbreaking research and discoveries.
You're able to study in the beautifully designed Sir Duncan Rice Library.
There are computer rooms available on campus.
You can find Olympic-standard sports facilities at the Aberdeen Sports Village.
The food hall in the Students' Union building is a vibrant and exciting place to catch up with friends between classes whilst enjoying a range of delicious food.
Find your passion
You can make the most of your student experience by joining clubs and societies, with the University of Aberdeen offering over 170 for you to choose from. University societies are a great way to enrich your university experience. You'll be able to make friends outside of your programme and accommodation, as well as explore your passions and interests with other likeminded people. Societies are fun – and joining a society or club can help to boost your CV outside of the classroom. As an Aberdeen student, you could choose between:
- Aberdeen Business Enterprise Society
- Aberdeen Dental Student's Society
- Aberdeen Student Parliament
- Archaeology Society
- Basketball
- Canoe
- Chess Society
- CineClub
- Dance Society
- Engineers Without Borders
- Gymnastics Club
- Knitting Society
- Lacrosse
- Law Society
- Model UN Society
- Table Tennis
- Scottish Dance Society
Campus life at the University of Aberdeen
The University is made up of two UK campuses. First you will find the iconic Old Aberdeen campus, home to both the International Study Centre and the impressive King's College Chapel, which was built in 1495. Old Aberdeen has extended over the years and now boasts newer buildings, such as the Sir Duncan Rice Library, but King’s College still has its ancient roots - teaching subjects such as Theology and History of Art.
Those studying Life Sciences and Medicine may find themselves at the Foresterhill campus - home to the facilities and staff you need to succeed. Here you will find:
- The Dental School
- Institute of Medical Sciences
- Rowett Institute for Nutrition
- The Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre.
Innovation and sustainability
The University has always been at the forefront of innovation, boasting 5 Nobel Prize winners. This has continued into the present day, not only in terms of research, but with the attitude of the student community. The University takes a proactive approach to sustainability, with multiple initiatives to help the planet run by both the University and the students. The campus is even home to its very own zero waste cafe, Foodstory, established by a graduate of the University.
Old Aberdeen campus
Societies are a great way to make new friends when you are a new student here and I have made many friends through those societies. It's a great social environment and a vibrant student body over here."
Israr from Pakistan
LLB Law
Programmes
Our extensive programme offerings will help you to find the best pathway for you. Whether you want to study an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or have a passion for science, engineering or business, there is a pathway for you.
How to apply
Ready to join us at the International Study Centre? Learn more about the application process and what you need before you arrive.