Summary
The University of Aberdeen is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances, which is why we offer scholarships to undergraduate students. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at university, and also aim to reward academic excellence.
Description
Please note, this scholarship is only available for Aberdeen campus students.
Our undergraduate Scholarships, for those classified as Rest of UK (RUK) Fees, are available based on two criteria: "Access" and "Merit". Scholarships based on "Access" exist to support those who may otherwise struggle to meet the cost of studies while "Merit" scholarships are designed for those who have shown considerable academic potential in their A Level results. Students meeting the criteria of both scholarships are entitled to receive both payments. The scholarships are not available to graduate students undertaking further study.
These scholarships are available in addition to applicable Government loans and grants - see below. The University will use the residual household income figure calculated by the Student Loans Company (SLC) when assessing your scholarship entitlement.
PLEASE NOTE: that all stated Access and Merit scholarship amounts are only applicable to undergraduate students commencing study at Aberdeen in academic year 2025/2026, paying the rest of UK fee rate of £9250 per year. The Access scholarship is only paid if the fees due in the academic year are £9250.
Eligibility
Access Scholarship
Access Overview
Residual Household Income for Access Scholarship (for 2025 entry only):
- Less than £22,020 = £3,000 a year for each year of study.
- Students undertaking a four year degree will receive a maximum of £12,000.
- Students undertaking a five year degree will receive a maximum of £15,000.
The Access scholarship is not available to graduate students undertaking further study.
Access Conditions
You must ensure that you submit an application for tuition fee funding of £9250 to the Student Loans Company as it will be the information declared to the SLC that will determine whether or not you meet the Access criteria. The tuition fee to be paid to the University must equal £9250 and you and your sponsors (usually parents) must give permission to share your SLC file with the University.
Merit Scholarship A
Merit A Overview
Merit Scholarship A, as detailed below, would be awarded to undergraduate Rest of UK (RUK) entrants (with the exception of Medicine).
Payment of £5,000 for academic year 2025/2026, only for qualifications as set out below:
- AAA at A Level
- AA at A Level and BTEC at D*
- BTEC Extended Diploma at D*D*D*
- IB Diploma 36 points or above – with at least 6 in the HL subjects
- ILC – 6H with at least 3 at grade H1 and 3 at grade H2 obtained in a single sitting
Payment of £3,000 for academic year 2025/2026, only for qualifications as set out below:
- AAB or ABB at A Level
- AA at A Level and BTEC at D
- AB at A Level and BTEC at D*
- BTEC Extended Level 3 Diploma at DDD
- IB Diploma 34 points or above – with at least 5 in the HL subjects
- ILC – 5H at grade H2 obtained in a single sitting
Merit A Conditions
- Merit Scholarship A is linked to the achievement of the qualifications detailed above. Equivalents not accepted.
- The qualifications must be from one exam diet sitting.
- The qualifications must be achieved in the three years of commencing study at Aberdeen.
- For 2025 entry the qualifications achieved, from one exam diet sitting, must have an award date of 2023 or 2024 or 2025.
- Level of entry to the University must be either Level 1 or Level 2.
- Graduates are not eligible
- Those who receive Merit A Scholarship cannot also receive the Merit B Scholarship.
Merit Scholarship B (Entrance Award)
Merit B Overview
Merit Scholarship B would be awarded as an entrance award to all those who are not eligible for Merit Scholarship A who are undergraduate Rest of UK (RUK) entrants (with the exception of Medicine).
Payment of £1,000 for academic year 2025/2026 only
Merit B Conditions
- Level of entry to the University must be either Level 1 or Level 2.
- Graduates are not eligible
Application Procedure
Application Procedure – Access and Merit
No application is required. The scholarships are not available to graduate students undertaking further study. Eligible students who meet the above criteria, and are paying the RUK tuition fee rate of £9250, are automatically nominated for the above awards with no need to apply.
To be considered for an Access scholarship, you must, however, ensure that you submit an annual application for tuition fee funding of £9250 to the Student Loans Company as it will be the information declared to the SLC that will determine whether or not you meet the Access criteria. The tuition fee to be paid to the University each year must equal £9250 and you and your sponsors (usually parents) must give permission each year to share your SLC file with the University.
Payments are made each year to all eligible students in early April and can only be made to University of Aberdeen students who are fully registered on this date. The Merit Scholarship payment (A or B), is only made for the first year of your study at Aberdeen – so in this instance in April 2026. Payments are made by the SLC on behalf of the University of Aberdeen and are paid directly into the bank account declared to the SLC. Payments will not be paid via the SLC if the student has tuition fee debt – and assigned instead against the debt.
Deadline – Access and Merit
In order to ensure eligible students receive their funding in early April, files held on the SLC are checked and authorised beforehand. Scholarship payments close each academic year on the 30 June. No payments will be made after this date. For example, for academic year 2025/2026, Scholarship payments close on 30 June 2026.
Deadline
Available until further notice.
Further Info
Frequently Asked Questions about RUK Scholarships
Countries
- Ireland
- United Kingdom