Your complete guide to exploring the historic campus, discovering key dates, and planning your ultimate student visit to Aberdeen.
Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. Combining rich historical heritage with world-class, cutting-edge research, it represents a unique prospect for any student. But how do you know if this coastal Scottish powerhouse is the right fit for your academic and personal journey? The answer lies in attending a University of Aberdeen open day.
Stepping onto the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen is more than just an admissions exercise; it is your first true taste of university life. From the iconic crown spire of King's College to the ultra-modern, glass-clad Sir Duncan Rice Library, the physical campus tells a story of historic prestige meeting forward-thinking innovation. Attending a prospective student event here gives you a chance to see beyond the prospectus and experience the vibrant student community firsthand.
Choosing where to spend the next three, four, or even five years of your life is a major decision. While online resources are incredibly comprehensive, nothing compares to an in-person campus visit. It allows you to gauge the commute, look at the quality of the student accommodation, test the sports facilities, and chat face-to-face with the academics who might soon be grading your essays or supervising your lab work.
Moreover, Scottish degrees are uniquely structured, typically offering a flexible four-year MA or BSc undergraduate pathway. An open day is the perfect environment to unravel how this flexibility works, allowing you to tailor your curriculum across different disciplines. You will leave the event not just with a bag of free merchandise, but with a concrete understanding of your potential academic path.
The university typically hosts several large-scale prospective student events throughout the year. Most undergraduate open day dates fall during the summer and autumn months—specifically June, August, October, and November. These dates are strategically chosen so you can experience the campus either during the late-summer glow or the bustling atmosphere of the autumn term.
If you cannot travel to the north-east of Scotland for an in-person visit, do not worry. The university also offers a comprehensive virtual tour experience and online open days. These digital sessions allow you to explore the campus layout, listen to webinars, and ask questions to admissions staff from the comfort of your own home.
Aberdeen is highly accessible, but because it is located in the north-east of Scotland, planning your travel in advance is essential to secure the best rates. Whether you are arriving by train at Aberdeen Joint Station, flying into Aberdeen Airport (Dyce), or catching an intercity coach, early booking can save you a significant portion of your student budget.
| Departure City | Travel Mode | Average Travel Time | Estimated Return Cost (with Railcard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | Train (ScotRail) | 2 hours 30 mins | £25 - £45 |
| Glasgow | Train (ScotRail) | 2 hours 40 mins | £25 - £45 |
| London | Train / Flight (LNER / EasyJet) | 7 hours (Train) / 1.5 hours (Flight) | £70 - £120 |
| Manchester | Train / Coach (Megabus) | 5.5 hours (Train) / 8 hours (Coach) | £45 - £80 |
Once you arrive in the city, getting to the Old Aberdeen campus is straightforward. The number 1 and 2 First Buses run regularly from the city centre directly to the heart of the campus, making it incredibly easy to navigate even if it is your first time in the city.
To get the absolute most out of your day, you shouldn't just wander around passively. You need an active strategy. Preparing a list of questions to ask current students, admissions officers, and subject tutors will help you make an informed UCAS choice. Here is a curated checklist of the most important questions you should raise during your visit:
While you are guided through the campus, there are several key landmarks you must see to fully appreciate the Aberdeen student experience. First on your list should be King's College Chapel. Founded in the late 15th century, its stunning medieval architecture serves as a daily reminder of the university's enduring heritage.
"Walking through the quad at King's College during my first open day was the exact moment I knew I wanted to study here. The history is palpable, but then you step inside the library and you are instantly in the 21st century." - Emily Watson, 3rd Year English Literature StudentContrast this historic beauty with the Sir Duncan Rice Library. This striking, iconic glass cube dominates the Aberdeen skyline. It offers eight floors of study spaces, over a million books, and panoramic views of the city and the North Sea. It is arguably one of the most beautiful and inspiring study spaces in the entire United Kingdom.
Don't forget to visit the Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) as well. This state-of-the-art facility is the premier sports and fitness facility in the north of Scotland, boasting an Olympic-standard 50m swimming pool, indoor athletics water-based pitches, and elite-level gym spaces available to all students at highly discounted rates.
Your university experience is not confined solely to lecture theatres and laboratories; the city itself plays an enormous role in your student years. Known as the Granite City due to its glittering stone architecture, Aberdeen offers a unique blend of urban living, historic charm, and spectacular natural landscapes.
Explore Union Street for shopping, visit the Belmont Street area for independent cafes and student-friendly bars, or wander down to Footdee (locally known as Fittie)—a historic, highly picturesque fishing village situated right at the mouth of the harbour. Getting a sense of the local geography will help you visualize what your day-to-day life will look like once term starts.
If distance or financial constraints make an in-person campus visit difficult, the University of Aberdeen virtual tour is an exceptional alternative. Accessible via the university's main website, this interactive 360-degree tool lets you stroll through the historic quad, peek inside student rooms at the Hillhead Student Village, and explore the high-tech science labs from anywhere in the world.
To maximize a virtual open day, make sure to register for live Q&A sessions. These live-streamed prospective student events allow you to ask admissions staff and current students your pressing questions in real-time, ensuring you don't miss out on vital information.