Admissions·United Kingdom & Ireland· 9 min read

How to Get Admission in the University of Aberdeen

How international students apply to the University of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's ancient universities (founded 1495) in the north-east energy city: historic King's College, strengths in medicine, law, divinity and energy, the four-year MA, medicine and the UCAT.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Aberdeen: an ancient university in Scotland's energy city

The University of Aberdeen is one of Scotland's four ancient universities, founded in 1495, which places it among the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. Its historic heart is King's College in Old Aberdeen, whose crowned-tower chapel has stood for centuries, and much of the university's identity is bound up in that long tradition of learning.

Aberdeen sits in the north-east of Scotland, in a coastal city long known as a centre of the energy sector — which has shaped notable strengths in energy, geoscience and related subjects, alongside long-established reputations in medicine, law and divinity. This guide explains how admission works, honestly noting that some courses — notably medicine — are highly competitive with limited international places. It does not rank Aberdeen against other universities; the right choice depends on your course, budget and plans. Confirm current details on the university's own website before applying.

One of Scotland's ancient universities, founded in 1495
Historic King's College in Old Aberdeen at its heart
In Aberdeen, north-east Scotland — a coastal energy city
Long-standing strengths in medicine, law, divinity and energy/geoscience

The four-year Scottish MA and degree structure

Aberdeen's undergraduate honours degrees follow the four-year Scottish model, with broader study in the early years before you specialise. In the arts and social sciences the undergraduate award is traditionally styled the 'MA' (Master of Arts) — an undergraduate degree, a naming convention specific to the ancient Scottish universities rather than a postgraduate qualification.

If you are comparing UK offers, factor the four-year length into your time and cost planning. For some courses and strong applicants, advanced entry into a later year may be possible, but this is course-specific and never guaranteed — confirm on the course page.

Four-year Scottish honours degrees with broad early study
Arts/social-science undergraduate award traditionally styled 'MA' (an undergraduate degree)
Advanced entry to a later year is course-specific, not guaranteed
Plan for the four-year length in budget and timeline

How to apply: UCAS and direct routes

For undergraduate degrees you apply through UCAS, the UK's central undergraduate system, following the standard UCAS cycle. For postgraduate taught programmes you apply directly to the university rather than through UCAS.

Entry requirements are set per course and vary by country and subject area (arts, sciences, engineering, law, medicine). We do not quote fixed grades here — read the official course and country-specific pages for the qualification and grade profile that applies to you. Aberdeen accepts a range of qualifications, including A-levels, Scottish Highers, the IB and recognised equivalents.

Undergraduate: apply via UCAS
Postgraduate taught: apply directly to the university
Requirements vary by country and subject area — check the official page
A-levels, Scottish Highers, IB and recognised equivalents are considered

Medicine and the UCAT (competitive, limited places)

Medicine at Aberdeen — taught within a school with a long medical tradition — is applied for through UCAS and requires the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) before application; there is no separate direct route. Aberdeen scores applications across academic attainment, UCAT performance and interview, and the number of places for overseas applicants is limited, so competition is high.

Studying medicine is not the same as being licensed to practise: registration to practise medicine in the UK is governed by the General Medical Council (GMC), which is separate from university admission. Medicine also carries an earlier application deadline than most courses and a higher English requirement. Because selection details, place numbers and requirements change between cycles, verify the current medicine entry requirements, deadline and process directly with Aberdeen's School of Medicine and, for licensing questions, with the GMC. This is general information about admission, not clinical or professional-registration advice.

Medicine: apply via UCAS; the UCAT is required before application
Selection weighs academics, UCAT and interview; overseas places are limited
Medicine has an earlier deadline and a higher English requirement
Studying medicine ≠ licence to practise — UK practice is regulated by the GMC
Verify medicine details with the School of Medicine; verify licensing with the GMC

English language and pathway options

If English is not your first language you will normally need to prove it through IELTS or an accepted equivalent; some applicants can use a recognised secondary qualification or an approved medium-of-instruction letter. The required level depends on the course and is higher for medicine, so check the official English requirements and your course page for the exact bands.

If you do not meet direct academic or English entry, the University of Aberdeen International Study Centre (delivered on campus with a pathway provider) offers foundation routes for undergraduate progression and a Pre-Masters Programme for postgraduate progression, which can lead on to an Aberdeen degree. A pathway adds time and cost — weigh it against strengthening a direct application.

IELTS or accepted equivalent; some qualifications/MOI letters accepted
Required level is higher for medicine — check the official page
International Study Centre offers foundation and pre-master's pathways
Pathways provide progression but add time and cost

After the offer: visa and post-study route (neutral facts)

When you hold an unconditional offer and meet the conditions, Aberdeen issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which you use to apply for a UK Student visa. The Student visa's financial, English and documentary requirements are set by the UK government, not the university.

After graduating, eligible students may be able to use the UK Graduate Route to stay and work, or look for work, for a period. Its eligibility and duration are set by the UK government and are subject to change, so verify the current terms on the official source before relying on them. This is general information, not immigration advice.

CAS from the university → apply for the UK Student visa (GOV.UK rules)
Student visa requirements are official government rules — verify on GOV.UK
Graduate Route may allow post-study work for eligible graduates — verify current terms on GOV.UK
Rules change frequently — confirm on the official source; this is not immigration advice

Frequently asked questions

What is the University of Aberdeen known for?

Aberdeen is one of Scotland's four ancient universities, founded in 1495, with its historic heart at King's College in Old Aberdeen. Located in Scotland's north-east energy city, it has long-standing strengths in medicine, law and divinity, and notable work in energy and geoscience shaped by the region. We do not rank it against other universities; the right choice depends on your course and plans.

Do I apply to Aberdeen through UCAS or directly?

Undergraduate degrees, including medicine, are applied for through UCAS. Postgraduate taught programmes are applied for directly to the university. Entry requirements vary by country and subject area, so check the official course and country-specific pages for the profile that applies to you.

Why is Aberdeen's arts degree called an 'MA' if it's undergraduate?

At the ancient Scottish universities, including Aberdeen, the undergraduate award in arts and social sciences is traditionally styled the 'MA' (Master of Arts). Despite the name, it is a four-year undergraduate degree, not a postgraduate qualification — a naming convention specific to these historic universities.

Do I need the UCAT for medicine at Aberdeen?

Yes. Applicants for medicine must take the UCAT before applying through UCAS. Aberdeen scores applications across academic attainment, UCAT and interview, and overseas places are limited, so competition is high. Medicine also has an earlier deadline. Verify the current requirements and process with Aberdeen's School of Medicine, as details change between cycles.

Does studying medicine at Aberdeen let me practise as a doctor?

Studying medicine is not the same as being licensed to practise. Registration and licensing to practise medicine in the UK are governed by the General Medical Council (GMC), which is separate from university admission. For any questions about practising in the UK, verify the current rules with the GMC. This is general information, not professional-registration advice.

Can I work in the UK after finishing at Aberdeen?

Eligible graduates may be able to use the UK Graduate Route to stay and work, or look for work, for a period after study. Its eligibility and duration are set by the UK government and are subject to change, so verify the current terms on GOV.UK. This is general information, not immigration advice.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: University of Aberdeen — International entry requirements; University of Aberdeen — Medicine entrance requirements; University of Aberdeen — Medicine UCAT requirement; University of Aberdeen International Study Centre; GOV.UK — Graduate visa: Overview.

Last verified: 3 July 2026.