The University Of Aberdeen – The Need To Know

The North East’s educational powerhouse, home to English speaking world’s 5^tholdest university and its first chair of medicine, is consistently ranked amongst the UK’s best and brightest universities. Aberdeen University is located in a vibrant city that bustles and buzzes with creative ambition, whilst retaining almost all of its character and charm. The area is one of the UK’s most beautiful and the city itself is friendly, welcoming and extremely safe. All in all, it is a fantastic place to study. Here is all you need to know.

Entry Standards

Whilst entry standards vary slightly from course to course, the University of Aberdeen prides itself on being a high class centre for education. As such, its entry standards reflect this ambition. Typical requirements are BBB at A Level or 32 IB points, although Engineering and Maths are slightly higher.

Some courses will also require you have certain A Levels and GCSEs (or equivalent). Again, full details can be found in the University prospectus.

If you have received your results and slightly missed your required grade, call the University admissions department to see if there is they are prepared to offer you some leeway.

Academic, Research and Teaching

Aberdeen, like many Scottish universities, prides itself on being able to offer a broad, well rounded university experience and a traditionally broad Scottish degree. This means there is plenty of opportunity to choose cross-discipline courses and modules from different streams or subject departments.

The teaching standards are continually rated excellent or highly satisfactory by students and Aberdeen is home to Scotland’s best medical school. Research standards are also extremely high, with 90% of research published from the university deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.

The university is renowned for its leading Arts and Humanities departments, Medicine, Engineering, Law and Education. A number of its courses are currently ranked amongst the best in Scotland.

Graduate Prospects

Ranked amongst the top ten universities for graduate employment in the UK, Aberdeen boasts an excellent careers service and continually has low graduate unemployment records. Its links with local and national industry and business are the envy of many Scottish universities.

Student Facilities

The Sit Duncan Rice Library, the university’s largest library, is home to over a million volumes and books plus an expansive online selection of e-books and journals. Aberdeen University also boasts its very own Olympic Aquatics Centre, which opened in May 2014 to host a number of international and national competitions.

There is also a range of disability services. More information is available via the university website.

Sport

Aberdeen’s Sports Village is one of the leading lights in student sports in Scotland, and is open all year round to both students and the public. There are state of the art facilities for football, swimming, squash, hockey and martial arts as well as athletics and fitness. Over 50 student clubs are based at ASV, catering for a range of abilities.

There is a 400m track, a 9 court sports hall, a full sized indoor football pitch and a number of hockey, tennis and squash courts. There is also a brand new gym, exercise studios and physiotherapy and massage services.

The Aquatics centre features a 25m pool, a 50m pool and international standard diving facilities.

Accommodation

All first year students are guaranteed accommodation in one of the university’s halls of residence. For second, third and fourth years there is a plethora of accommodation around the city. A Google search for ‘student accommodation Aberdeen University ’ will return a number of reputable landlords and student accommodation agencies.

Popular student areas include Kings Street, George Street and the Hilton and Westburn areas. Aberdeen is a medium sized city, meaning most places can be reached within 30-40 minutes’ walk.

Nightlife

As a bustling student city, Aberdeen boasts the best nightlife in Scotland’s North East. There are a range of nightclubs, bars and pubs serving up a range of drinks deals and playing a variety of music. There are also wine bars, jazz clubs and trendy cafes for those who prefer a slightly more low key night on the town.

Aberdeen is also home to a number of venues that host live music, comedy and drama all year round. As the biggest university city in the region, Aberdeen attracts a range of DJs, bands and artists from across the UK.