Aberdeen: Two universities, one great city

Having trouble deciding where to study? As a lifelong resident of the City of Aberdeen - and former student of both of its universities - I believe studying here is something you’re unlikely to regret and will never forget.

More than 30,000 people a year choose to study at Aberdeen’s universities. And with students comprising 10% of the city’s population, its arts, entertainment and leisure venues cater for diverse tastes and budgets.

The universities of Aberdeen

Aberdeen, capital of the Grampian highlands, is home to two universities and although they couldn’t be more different, both have an outstanding reputation.

The campus of the Robert Gordon University (RGU) consists of modern, state-of-the-art buildings split into various ‘schools’ such as architecture, art, business and health. Half of the university grounds are located in the city centre and the remainder in forested parkland on the banks of the River Dee.

The University of Aberdeen, on the other hand, dates back to the 15th Century and is set in the historic part of town - Old Aberdeen. In itself, it seems like a village, complete with a chapel, newsagents, a bookshop, bus service and botanic gardens.

Each of the universities has on and off-campus student accommodation (private and shared) and more than 100 sports clubs and societies - from Ultimate Frisbee and the Whisky Appreciation Society to underwater hockey, mountaineering and Amnesty.

Despite the fact students of the two universities like to pretend they are arch rivals, they gather together to celebrate one of the highlights in Aberdeen’s calendar: the Student Torcher Parade. Raising money for charity, students dress up and organise Europe’s largest torch-lit parade which involves around 2,000 students, 45 lorries and 50,000 spectators.

More money, less worry

A study by the University of Aberdeen revealed that students find living in Aberdeen cheaper than in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Aberdeen’s thriving oil industry has brought not only more money to the city but more jobs. There is no shortage of holiday and part-time work for students, and to assist in the job hunt the universities run free and friendly student job shops and a professional career advisory service.

Armed with a snapfax booklet - the ultimate money-off permit which no wise student should be without - students get discounts across Scotland on meals and drinks, haircuts, clothes, cinema tickets, bowling and more. Snapfax is available at freshers’ fairs and the student unions, along with a selection of money-saving fliers.

Vibrant social and cultural scene

Also meeting the needs of Aberdeen’s student presence are its pubs and clubs, which vary from trendy to old-fashioned and cosy. They compete to attract student crowds by lowering prices, offering discount, membership deals and regularly holding ‘student nights’ - themed parties, pub quizzes and karaoke competitions.

Aberdeen’s clubs play all sorts: cheesy pop, indie, retro, commercial chart and dance, R’n’B, hip hop. Some have an air of sophistication with strict dress codes, such as Liquid, the Pearl Lounge and Tiger Tiger, while in others places, like O’Neil’s and Exodus, anything goes and it is like one big house party. And there are clubs that, in addition to live DJs, have live music, comedy and open mic nights, like the underground Club Snafu, winner of the 2007 Coca Cola Nightclub of the Year Award.

Like the nightlife, restaurants in Aberdeen are varied and suit extravagant to modest budgets: first class restaurants for when your folks come to town to treat you sit alongside laid-back, student-friendly (affordable) bistros. Restaurants and cafes represent cuisine from every corner of the globe - French, Italian, Greek, Turkish, Spanish, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese. And at the end of each month a continental street market comes to Aberdeen, bringing yet more exotic aromas and gourmet delights.

When not eating and drinking, students can explore the high street stores, designer boutiques, quirky independent outlets and second-hand shops that line Aberdeen main street and two large shopping malls.

Throughout the year, the city hosts a great number of cultural events - word, arts and jazz festivals; highland games; an outdoor ceilidh on St Andrew’s night and a New Year’s Eve street party. The music scene is buzzing with national and international acts and Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre has, for more than 100 years, housed operas, ballet, plays, pantomimes, and musicals…even a ghost.