Explore Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen is today at the forefront of teaching, learning and discovery, as it has been for 500 years. As the 'global university of the north', we have consistently sent pioneers and ideas outward to every part of the world. We are an ambitious, research-driven university with a global outlook, committed to excellence in everything we do.

University Library

Open to the public - please see information on the Sir Duncan Rice library.

University of Aberdeen Museums

Also open to the public - please information on the University of Aberdeen's museums and exhibitions

Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city and Europe’s energy capital - a place with historic charm, a thriving economy and cosmopolitan community of some 220,000 people. 

It is rich in history from its maritime past of boat building and fishing industries, nowadays modernised with the growth of the Oil and Gas industries. From the Art Galleries, Museums, Theatres and shopping venues, you will find something to suit everyone in this diverse multi-national City.

A coastline of spectacular beaches and dunes stretch north of the city, while to the west lies nearby Royal Deeside, home to some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland and the eastern gateway to the mountainous Cairngorms National Park

Aberdeen caters for all cultural, leisure and entertainment tastes and regularly attracts national and international artists and companies. The city also boasts three cinema multiplexes, a Maritime Museum and first-class sports facilities..

• Aberdeen Performing Arts
• Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

Aberdeen is the educational centre for the north-east. The University of Aberdeen has been at the forefront of teaching and learning since 1495. Committed to excellence it is the 'global university of the north'.

You can find out more information about Aberdeen by visiting the VisitAberdeenshire website.

Aberdeen is well served with excellent travel links by air, train, boat, bus and road to the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the world.

Detailed information on travel options can be found here.

Transport

Car

Entering the city from the south or west, follow signs for the A90 (Fraserburgh and Peterhead). This leads round the ring road (Anderson Drive). Exiting from a roundabout (signed Old Aberdeen) onto Cairncry Road, continue to follow the A90 signs through two further roundabouts onto St. Machar Drive. After a third roundabout, the road bisects Old Aberdeen and local signs will direct you to University sites.

From the north, Old Aberdeen is signposted on the A96 (from Dyce and Inverness) and on the A90 (from Peterhead).

If using a Sat Nav for directions please enter the following postcode: AB24 3FX.

Peak time traffic can be heavy in Aberdeen; please take this into account when planning your visit and allow an extra half hour for travel.

Car Parking

Parking on campus is for permit holders only, but there is street parking in the surrounding area.

Rail

Rail services connect to Aberdeen from the North and South. There are regular direct trains to Aberdeen from London and Inverness, and services from Edinburgh and Glasgow link with other mainline routes.

For information on train times, please visit the Scotrail Website.

From Aberdeen train station you can travel to campus by taxi or bus. Get a taxi from the taxi rank at the train station or use bus services 1, 2, 20 or X40 from Union street to King Street. Bus timetables are available here.

Bus

National Coach and bus service connections to Aberdeen from the North and South are very frequent. For more information, please contact:

• City Link
• Megabus
• National Express

The local bus services are run by First Group and Stagecoach. Information on routes and timetables can be found via their websites below.

• First Group
• Stagecoach Bus

Passport and Visa

Participants are strongly advised to determine which requirements apply to them with respect to entering the UK. For information please consult your nearest British Embassy or travel agent.

Should you require an invitation letter to the conference for visa purposes, please email cpdservices@abdn.ac.uk stating your:

• full name as it appears on your passport
• date of birth
• place of birth
• passport number
• passport issue date
• passport expiry date

Applicants should register and pay to attend the conference in the first instance so that confirmation can be used as evidence of attendance.

Currency and Banks

The official currency of UK is £ sterling. Commonly accepted credit cards are Visa, and Mastercard. Display signs are usually visible in all restaurants and shops indicating which cards they accept.

Travellers' cheques can be cashed at most banks. Most banks are closed on Saturdays and all day Sunday. There are foreign exchange booths at all major airports and in Aberdeen city centre. There is a Bank of Scotland on campus, which has an ATM, this is located in the High Street. There is a full range of Banks in Aberdeen city centre.

Scotland's position on the edge of the European continent with sea on three sides means that the weather is very varied!  During the summer the weather is normally dry and sunny, but it can be unpredictable. In the Autumn when the leaves on the trees change colour we often have good weather though cooler than in summer. Winter and Spring can be wet but snow and icy conditions should be expected, especially inland. 

In June the average high temperature is 17ºC, with the average low temperature being 10ºC. For more information please visit the Metoffice or the BBC Weather forecast