International Exchange & Study Abroad

2025/2026

View our International Exchange and Study Abroad Information Sheet 2025-2026 with all our most pertinent facts and figures.

2026/2027

View our International Exchange and Study Abroad Information Sheet 2026-2027 with all our most pertinent facts and figures.

Entry Requirements

To study at Aberdeen as a visiting study abroad or exchange student, the University requires:

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent (on a 4.0 scale) or better
• An official academic transcript
• Evidence of English language proficiency for non-native English speakers

How to Apply

If you are a student from a partner university, you will be provided a link to our online application form after you have been nominated by your home university. If your home university does not have an agreement with the University of Aberdeen, please email goabroad.incoming@abdn.ac.uk and we will provide you with the necessary details.

The deadlines for receipt of completed applications are as follows:

• Academic Year: (September - May) 15 May
• First Term: (September - December) 15 May
• Second Term: (January - May) 15 October

Application Guide

For guidance on our application process we encourage all applicants to consult our Application Guide. This will set out all the necessary steps before commencing your studies with us, from application through to course registration.

Credits

Students at the University of Aberdeen are expected to take 60 Aberdeen credits per term, or 120 credits over the course of the academic year. However students need to take a minimum of 46 credits per term to be classified as a full time registered student, and are allowed to take up to a maximum of 75 credits in a single term.

One University of Aberdeen credit represents what you are expected to achieve in 10 'notional hours' of learning time, which refers to the time that you will spend both in the classroom and in private study. You may find that the number of contact teaching hours in Aberdeen is less than at your home institution, as UK universities tend to place larger importance on self-study.

The expected course load of 60 credits per term equates to approximately 15 US credit hours. Most courses are 15 credits each, or roughly 3-4 US credit hours depending on your home university.

Discipline Requirements

Any exchange student attending via a discipline specific bilateral agreement will be required to select ay least 50% of their courses from the School of the Inter-Institutional Agreement between your home institution and University of Aberdeen. You may choose the remainder from our wide range of courses, subject to previous experience, availability and timetabling.

Course Availability

Our course catalogue lists our available courses, grouped by subject discipline. Typically, courses at Level 1 and 2 are open to incoming students without prior study of the subject, while courses at Level 3 and 4 require evidence of prior study as noted in the course catalogue.

As the catalogue updates each summer, applicants are encouraged to consider the current course availability when exploring study options with us. While there may be some changes before you arrive for your studies, as there would be at any institution, we expect the current catalogue to be broadly reflective of the courses which will be available.

Course Restrictions

While the majority of courses in Aberdeen are open to exchange and study abroad students, please be aware that there are a small selection which are unavailable. The full list of restricted courses can be found in our information sheet linked above. Restrictions apply to all incoming students regardless of whether they are currently studying at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Limited Course Availability

Some course options, particularly at honours (level 3 and 4) have a limited number of places. This does not prohibit students from registering, but be advised that students will be entered into an electronic randomizer, along with Aberdeen degree students, to determine enrolment. We cannot provide an exhaustive list, but you can find a selection of courses regularly close to capacity in our factsheet linked above and for your convenience we have provided course lists below for disciplines which have more acute restrictions.

• Level 3 English courses (TBC)
• Education courses without in-school placements (TBC)

Lastly, students only studying in term 1 cannot take Level 4 courses from the School of Medical Sciences, unless given prior approval, as these are usually assessed in May.

Tuition and Costs for 2025/26 and 2026/27

Semester: £10,400
Full year: £20,800

Fee paying study abroad students may be eligible for the Aberdeen Global Scholarship which is worth £3000 a term! 

Students from universities which have an exchange agreement with the University of Aberdeen will not be charged tuition fees.

Living Costs

UK Visas and Immigration indicate that students spending the academic year should have a minimum of £1171 for each month that they will spend in the United Kingdom. Although no official advice is given for students only spending one term, we would also suggest that they budget for a minimum of £1171 per month for living expenses. A further breakdown of estimated costs can be found below (for illustrative purposes only):

* Based on available University of Aberdeen accommodation

** Subject to requirements of discipline

The McNeil Scholarship (Drexel University Students)

Students from Drexel University who wish to spend the academic year on exchange at the University of Aberdeen are eligible for the McNeil Scholarship. Please contact Drexel's Education Abroad office for further details.

The BUTEX Scholarship (North American Students)

BUTEX (British Transatlantic Exchange Association) offers scholarships worth £500 to undergraduate students at US or Canadian institutions studying short term programmes in the UK. Applications for the forthcoming academic year open in April/May. Please refer to the BUTEX website for further details or email butex_enquiries@msn.com

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Programme

The Gilman International Scholarship Program offers scholarships for U.S. students studying abroad. This program is aimed at students of limited financial means and includes awards of up to $5,000.

Student Housing

All incoming exchange and study abroad students are guaranteed a place in student accommodation. Students will be emailed information on how to apply once they are accepted in to the programme.

Most exchange and study abroad students are housed in our Hillhead Student Village. Our accommodation is self-catered and normally consists of single study bedrooms, with common areas which are shared with roommates.

You can find more information on University of Aberdeen housing here

Academic Calendar

The University of Aberdeen's Academic Calendar, including term dates and exclusions, can be found here.

Are you looking to stand out from the crowd? Start your college journey with an unforgettable experience by spending your freshman year at the University of Aberdeen!

Located in a historic yet dynamic city in northern Scotland, Aberdeen offers world-class academics in a close-knit, internationally diverse community. With its stunning medieval campus, proximity to breath-taking coastlines, and easy access to the rest of Europe, Aberdeen is the perfect blend of tradition and adventure.

By studying here, you’ll gain a global perspective, develop independence, and stand out in future job markets—all while creating memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t settle for ordinary—be bold, discover the extraordinary, and make Aberdeen your first step into the world! 

A freshman semester or year abroad exposes you to new cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking, helping you develop a global perspective that will set you apart in an increasingly interconnected world. You’ll have the chance to explore iconic destinations, learn alongside international peers, and immerse yourself in a different way of life—all while earning credits toward your degree.

As a freshman abroad, you would have a wide variety of courses open to you to experience. It can be a flexible option for testing the water on a degree abroad; if you enjoy a freshman semester or year abroad there are pathways to transfer fully. If you’re happy with your short stay, an official academic transcript from an accredited institution makes it easy to transfer credits back to your home college and continue.

A freshman year abroad fosters independence, adaptability, and confidence, giving you skills which can positively influence the decisions you may make about the remainder of your college career! Starting your college experience abroad can put you on the map!

Entry Requirements

• For the Freshman Year Abroad, students must meet the same academic requirements as for undergraduate study. Please check our listing of academic requirements by country.
• We accept a range of official certificates and high school qualifications to evidence English language requirements, issued within two years prior to planned commencement at University of Aberdeen.
• Please note, students must be 18 years or older by the programme start date and should be willing to take on the excitement and challenge of living abroad in a new cultural context.

Application Deadlines

• Term 1/Fall Term/Full Year (September entry) - 15 May
• Term 2/Spring Term/Calendar Year (January entry) - 15 October

Tuition Cost:

• Semester: £10,400*
• Full year: £20,800*

*Check if you are eligible for our Aberdeen Global Scholarship, which is worth £3000 per semester!

Go Abroad Team

University of Aberdeen
University Office (Room 16)
Regent Walk
Aberdeen, AB24 3FX

T: +44 (0)1224 272041 or +44 (0)1224 272625
E: goabroad.incoming@abdn.ac.uk