About the university
The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495. It is Scotland's third oldest university and the fifth oldest in the UK, with a historic main campus in Old Aberdeen.
Aberdeen is known for energy-related engineering (petroleum, subsea and renewable energy), as well as computing, business and law. The university describes the city as the energy capital of Europe, with hundreds of energy operators and supply chain companies based there.
For Indian students, the big draw is price. Most master's courses list £26,250 a year for 2027/28, but self-funded international students get an £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship, which brings the fee to £18,250. Many master's courses also start in January, and most accept a UK 2:2.
Aberdeen is a coastal city in north-east Scotland. University rooms cost from £111 a week in 2026/27. The university also has a campus in Mumbai.
- Founded
- 1495; Scotland's third oldest university and the fifth oldest in the UK
- Type
- Public university, with campuses abroad in Qatar, China and India (Mumbai)
- Total students
- About 15,000 from more than 130 nationalities (university figure); 12,220 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 33% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 13.1 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Intakes
- September and January for most master's courses; September for bachelor's degrees
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
288 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
233 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
32nd of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £26,250
- Duration
- 12 months (16 months for the January start)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (Writing 6.0, other skills 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £26,250
- Duration
- 12 months (16 months for the January start)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (Writing 6.0, other skills 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £26,250
- Duration
- 12 months (16 months for the January start)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (Writing 6.0, other skills 5.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc Data Science and Business Management
- Fee / year
- £26,250
- Duration
- 12 months
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (Writing 6.0, other skills 5.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc International Business Management
- Fee / year
- £26,250
- Duration
- 12 months
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (Reading and Writing 6.0, other skills 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £26,250
- Duration
- 12 months
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (Writing 6.0, other skills 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £26,250
- Duration
- 12 months
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (Reading and Writing 6.0, other skills 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £26,250
- Duration
- 12 months
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (Reading and Writing 6.0, other skills 5.5)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science | 12 months (16 months for the January start) | £26,250 | ≈ ₹32 lakh |
| MSc Artificial Intelligence | 12 months (16 months for the January start) | £26,250 | ≈ ₹32 lakh |
| MSc Cybersecurity | 12 months (16 months for the January start) | £26,250 | ≈ ₹32 lakh |
| MSc Data Science and Business Management | 12 months | £26,250 | ≈ ₹32 lakh |
| MSc International Business Management | 12 months | £26,250 | ≈ ₹32 lakh |
| MSc Petroleum Engineering | 12 months | £26,250 | ≈ ₹32 lakh |
| MSc Accounting and Finance | 12 months | £26,250 | ≈ ₹32 lakh |
| MBA (Business Analytics) | 12 months | £26,250 | ≈ ₹32 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Aberdeen with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Master's on campus
Aberdeen Global Scholarship (postgraduate)
Value: £8,000 off tuition fees
Eligibility: New self-funded international on-campus master's students starting in 2026/27 or 2027/28. Shown on course pages as a reduced fee (for example £18,250 instead of £26,250). Terms and conditions apply.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's on campus
Aberdeen Global Scholarship (undergraduate)
Value: £6,000 for every year of the degree
Eligibility: New self-funded international on-campus undergraduates starting in 2026/27 or 2027/28.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate
Aberdeen Alumni Discount
Value: 20% off the full cost of selected master's courses
Eligibility: Graduates of the University of Aberdeen.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Standard XII: at least 65% overall for most arts and science degrees, with 65% in the key subjects; 70% in Class 12 English can replace an English test.
- BEng: 65% overall with 65% in Mathematics and Physics. MEng, Law and Biomedical Sciences: 80% overall.
- With 75% overall and 75% in the relevant subjects, you can apply for direct entry to Year 2 of a four-year degree (80% in Class 12 English needed for this route).
- Scottish bachelor's degrees usually take four years.
Postgraduate
- For courses asking for a UK 2:2: at least 60% from state and central universities, or 65% from private and deemed universities.
- 55% may be accepted from universities with tougher marking, such as Mumbai, Calcutta and Delhi, and from IITs and IIMs.
- LLM applicants with 55% or above are considered, along with their institution and work experience.
- Most master's courses on this page accept a 2:2 in any or a related subject.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate
- Full degree transcript with marks
- Personal statement
- Up-to-date CV
- English test score, or Class 12 English marks where accepted
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Master's (science, engineering and computing): 6.5 overall with Writing 6.0 and 5.5 in the other skills. Business, law and medicine: 6.5 with Reading and Writing 6.0. Bachelor's: 6.0 with Writing 6.0. IELTS Online is not accepted. |
| PTE Academic | Master's: 62 overall with 59 in each skill. The online test is not accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT | Master's: 90 overall (Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 21) for tests before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 overall for later tests. |
| Duolingo English Test | Master's: 120 overall with Writing 105 and 95 in the other skills (tests from 1 July 2024). |
| Class 12 English | 80% in Standard XII English is accepted as meeting the English requirement (certificate no older than 10 years). For bachelor's entry, the India page lists 70% for most courses. |
Accommodation and living costs
University residences in Aberdeen include Wi-Fi, with leases of 40 to 50 weeks depending on the hall. Prices below are 2026/27 weekly rates.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Single room, shared facilities (Adam Smith House, Fyfe House)40–50 weeks | £111per week | ≈ ₹13,542 |
| Single room with washbasin, Elphinstone Road Flats40–50 weeks | £133per week | ≈ ₹16,226 |
| Single room, Grant Court or Hector Boece Court40 weeks | £145–151per week | ≈ ₹17,690 – ₹18,422 |
| En suite room (for example Elphinstone Road Flats)40–50 weeks | £191per week | ≈ ₹23,302 |
Campus and location
The Old Aberdeen Campus has been listed among the UK's top 10 most beautiful historic campuses.
- Founded in 1495; King's College Chapel stands on the Old Aberdeen campus.
- Overseas campuses in Qatar, China and Mumbai, India.
- Energy engineering courses draw on the many energy operators and supply chain companies in the Aberdeen region.
- A Language Centre runs pre-sessional English courses for students who need them.
Careers and graduate outcomes
The university says Aberdeen and the North East offer many graduate openings in oil and gas and the energy transition. The Data Science MSc page quotes Prospects figures of £25,000 to £30,000 for entry-level data scientist salaries in the UK. For post-study work rules, see our UK country guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level data scientist salary in the UK | £25,000 to £30,000 | Prospects.ac.uk, quoted on Aberdeen's MSc Data Science page |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is a master's at Aberdeen after the scholarship?
Most master's courses list £26,250 for 2027/28. Self-funded international students get the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship, so they pay £18,250.
Does Aberdeen have a January intake?
Yes. Many master's courses, including Data Science, AI, Cybersecurity, International Business Management and Petroleum Engineering, start in January as well as September.
What percentage do I need for a master's?
For 2:2 courses, Aberdeen looks for 60% from state and central universities or 65% from private and deemed universities. 55% may be accepted from some universities with tougher marking.
Can I use Class 12 English instead of IELTS?
Yes. Aberdeen accepts 80% in Standard XII English, and its India page lists 70% for most bachelor's degrees. The certificate must be no older than 10 years.
Why does a bachelor's take four years?
Scottish honours degrees usually last four years. Strong Class 12 results (75% and above) can allow direct entry to Year 2.
Sources
- Aberdeen: MSc Data Science (2027/28 fees) (opens in a new tab)
- Aberdeen: BSc Computing Science (opens in a new tab)
- Aberdeen: India entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Aberdeen: funding for students from India (opens in a new tab)
- Aberdeen: postgraduate English requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Aberdeen: high school English acceptance (opens in a new tab)
- Aberdeen: accommodation costs 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
- Aberdeen: facts and figures (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Aberdeen (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.abdn.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
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