University of Aberdeen

University Information, Campus and History
(Aberdeen, Scotland)

The University of Aberdeen is an international university located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is one of the four Ancient Universities of Scotland, founded during the medieval period, and enjoys a reputation as a major research and educational institute in the United Kingdom.

The University was founded in 1495, making it the third oldest university in Scotland and the fifth oldest in the UK. It was founded by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen, with the goal of training doctors, teachers, and clergy to serve small Scottish communities, and lawyers and administrators committed to serving the Scottish Crown. It was originally known as King's College and opened with a modest population of 36 staff and students. Marischal University, founded a century later, merged with King's College in 1860 to form the present-day University of Aberdeen.

Today, the University of Aberdeen is home to 13,500 students and 3,000 academic staff. It takes pride in having one of the most ethnically diverse student communities in the UK, with international students from 120 countries.

Facilities

The University's library is one of the largest in Aberdeen, with over one million volumes including books, dissertations, student papers, and audio-visual material, as well as electronic resources such as e-books and e-journals. It also offers such services as photocopying and scanning, printing, and binding.

The library is especially sensitive to the needs of disabled students. All the library buildings are painted with colour contrast themes for the visually impaired and are equipped with lifts and external wheelchair-height rails. The lavatories also have support rails installed in exclusive cubicles, as well as alarm cords for emergencies.

The University also has a number of excellent halls for international conferences, seminars, or in-school meetings and presentations. The King's Conference Centre is the most notable, with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a seating capacity of 150. It has hosted several prominent events, including a Scottish Parliament meeting in 2002.

Famous Students

The University of Aberdeen has produced dozens of outstanding graduates in the fields of media, politics, science, and sports.

John Macleod, credited with the discovery of insulin, received a medical degree from the University in 1898. His discovery earned him the Nobel Prize for Physiology of Medicine in 1923. Also from the Faculty of Medicine is Sir Patrick Manson, dubbed the 'Father of Tropical Medicine' after his extensive work on tropical diseases and treatments.

The university has also produced a number of prominent radio and television presenters, including Derek Rae (ESPN PressPass), James Naughtie (BBC, Radio4 Today), and Nicky Campbell (BBC Watchdog, Now You're Talking). Archibald Forbes, a prominent war correspondent in the late 19th century, was also educated at the University.

Several University of Aberdeen alumni also became Members of Parliament and of the Scottish Parliament. These include Anne Begg, Alistair Carmichael, Rhona Brankin, Nicol Stephen, Stewart Stevenson, and Richard Baker.

Prospective students can consult the university website for information on admission requirements, application processes, fees, and timetables. The site also includes information on upcoming conventions, career talks, and student life at Aberdeen. A quick enquiry box can be found in the Prospective Students section, where you can send your questions directly to the university webmaster.

For enquiries on undergraduate, postgraduate, and international student admission, call the Student Recruitment and Admissions Service at +44 (0) 1224 272 090/1 or send a fax to +44 (0) 1224 272 576. You can also email your questions to sras@abdn.ac.uk. Prospectuses for all levels are also available from the university website.

The University also offers several scholarships, financial assistance and bursaries to both local and foreign students. Bursaries of up to £1,000 for every year of study are awarded to outstanding students, and scholarships from different organisations are also available. For music scholarships, send an email to r.r.williams@abdn.ac.uk; for sports scholarships, enquire at 01224 272318.

Contact University of Aberdeen:
Address: King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1224 272 000 Fax: +44 (0) 1224 272 576 Email: sras@abdn.ac.uk Website: http://www.abdn.ac.uk