The University of Aberdeen has a distinctive, flexible curriculum that encourages students to grow as independent learners. True to our roots as an ancient Scottish university, our degree programmes combine breadth and depth, and draw their strength from the quality of our research.

We believe in the interconnectedness of research and teaching, and will create new interdisciplinary pathways for study as we address global challenges. Students and the Students’ Association will work together with staff to ensure that our curriculum and our student experience are among the very best in the world.

We will prepare our graduates to thrive in the diverse workplaces of the future by working with external partners and alumni. We will develop more challenge-led teaching, which enables students to learn by tackling real-world problems. We will provide more work-based learning, through placements and volunteering. We will make innovative use of digital technology to enable learning, and equip our graduates with digital skills. We will foster their intellectual development, creative thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship. Our students will grow in confidence and understanding, so that they can be change-makers across the globe.

Our education is open to all. We will provide an environment in which all students can achieve success, whatever their background or personal characteristics. We will support our students through effective teamwork across the university. We will set ambitious targets for widening access, working with our education partners to support aspiration and attainment. We will expand learning on demand and continuing professional development. Our education will be available to people wherever they wish to learn with us, and at any stage in their career journey.

Throughout the centuries, researchers at the University of Aberdeen have generated new insights in medicine, science and engineering, law, social sciences, arts and humanities. Our work has earned many honours and awards, and has contributed to five Nobel prizes.

Like our education, our research will be intellectually rigorous. Whether working within our established areas of excellence, or developing interdisciplinary approaches that generate new methods of inquiry, we will tackle theoretical and practical problems. We will generate new knowledge and will connect and combine ideas, addressing economic and societal issues with ambition and imagination.

Our research will be globally excellent and locally relevant. To ensure this, we will engage with our external partners as we plan for the future, and will work collaboratively with them both on and off campus. Our research will be open to all. We will work to share our findings, and to promote open access to academic resources for anyone who wishes to learn. Our research will have impact on our world, and will inform our curriculum, shaping what and how we teach. We will train and support the next generation of researchers, equipping them with the skills they need to develop their expertise and to engage with the challenges of the future.