Postgraduate Taught Degrees

Sustainable Water Management

MSc

Our water systems are under increasing pressure from a variety of sources, including climate change, population growth, and waste. Recent weather events in the UK and abroad, for example, have highlighted the need for urgent innovative solutions to minimise the impact of flooding on communities and ecosystems.

The MSc Sustainable Water Management is designed to equip you with the tools to tackle the environmental and socio-economic challenges related to water resource management, from flood management and hydraulic modelling to climate resilience and ecosystem-based adaptation.

View Degree

Dispute Resolution

LLM · PgCert · PgDip

Unlike many other programmes on dispute resolution, this programme does not seek to combine a substantive subject with dispute processes; it focusses only on those methods best placed to resolve disputes. It is dedicated to dispute resolution methodology. The non-court dispute resolution industry is vibrant and growing as organisations and individuals seek to resolve their disputes outside the often adversarial, public, slow and expensive litigation process.
The programme is fully online with the exception of Advanced Mediation Practice. Students taking this course require to attend the university in Aberdeen for a three day period in late March. (Find out more in course information ).

View Degree

Safety and Reliability Engineering

MSc

This programme provides a thorough understanding of the concepts and tools of safety engineering, reliability engineering and loss prevention.

This programme has January and September start dates. Apply Now.

The MSc Safety and Reliability Engineering is also available to study part time online.

View Degree

Christianity and the Visual Arts

MLitt

The MLitt in Christianity and the Visual Arts combines the study of art and faith in the Christian world from medieval to modern times. Explore faith and the interpretation of Christian artworks in and beyond the western European context, with access to world-class ecclesiastical, artistic and cultural resources at the University.

MLitt Christianity and the Visual Arts is also available to study full-time or part-time online.

View Degree

Archaeology of the North

MSc

The MSc Archaeology of the North is the only programme of its type in the world, investigating the material culture and heritage of the far northern hemisphere. With an emphasis on colonisation and culture contact, lifeways and world-views, this programme will help you develop knowledge and critical awareness of issues specific to northern archaeology, providing a solid foundation for further study or professional employment.

This course has a September 2024 start date. Apply Now.

View Degree

Teaching Qualification in Further Education

PgCert

The Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) is the in-service teaching qualification for lecturers in Scotland's Colleges and those in other further education and training settings.

View Degree

Drug Discovery and Development

MSc

Develop your knowledge and understanding of how drugs and medicines are made and used safely with this MSc programme delivered by Scotland's leading pharmacology researchers and bio-entrepreneurs.

View Degree

Advanced Mechanical Engineering (Online)

MSc

This programme emphasises the application of computational techniques and packages to solve complex mechanical engineering problems and provide engineering graduates with the advanced understanding skills and knowledge to pursue careers in a wide range of industry sectors.

View the page for the online variant of this programme.

This programme is also available to study full-time on campus.

View Degree

Sport and Exercise Nutrition

MSc

Develop advanced expertise in sport and exercise nutrition at Scotland's only specialised MSc programme. Based at the prestigious Rowett Institute, one of the worlds leading nutrition research centres, gain the skills to translate nutritional science into practical applications for athletes and active individuals.

View Degree

Biomolecular Archaeology

MSc

This unique one year taught postgraduate programme combines cutting-edge biomolecular research with archaeological and evolutionary approaches, taught across the fields of archaeology, biological and medical science.

View Degree

International Finance and Political Relations

MSc

This programme combines the strengths of the School of Social Science and the Business School to explore the intersection between money, politics and power and the relationship between international finance and policymaking at the transnational level.

This course has both January and September start dates. Apply Now.

View Degree

International Trade Law

LLM

International trade law is an exciting and highly competitive field of law. This degree option has the added convenience of being designed as a flexible, online distance learning programme guided by our highly-experienced team of lawyers at our prestigious School of Law at a university highly rated for international outlook.

View Degree

Advanced Structural Engineering (Online)

MSc

This advanced programme offers a broader range of courses compared to most structural engineering programmes, allowing you to design your course of study to suit your background and career interests and to tackle environmental, economic and social challenges far beyond the construction industry.

View the page for the online variant of this programme.

This programme is also available to study full-time on campus.

View Degree

Ecology and Conservation

MSc

This programme is currently paused to allow for revision. We anticipate a relaunch in 2025, with first intake in September 2026.

View Degree

Energy Transition Law with Dissertation

LLM

This distinctive Master’s programme explores the legal dimensions of the energy transition, encompassing everything from the approval of renewable energy projects to the regulation of energy markets in the age of decarbonisation. Throughout your studies, you will acquire invaluable insights into this rapidly evolving and highly relevant industry, laying a strong foundation for a successful career in this sector.

Please note, this programme can be completed via the Professional Skills or online learning study route.

View Degree

Criminal Justice

LLM

Gain a greater understanding and develop your knowledge of the theories and policies underlying criminal procedures, human rights, and the various criminal justice systems alongside out renowned experts in Criminal Justice.

View Degree

International Relations and International Law

MSc

The MSc International Relations and International Law offers you an interdisciplinary perspective on a range of contemporary issues related to the transformed nature of global governance.

This course has both January and September start dates. Apply Now.

View Degree

European and Latin American Literatures and Cultures

MLitt

Applications for September 2025 and January 2026 opening soon.

Acquire a global outlook exploring aspects of European, Francophone and Latin American literature and culture through diverse literary texts, thought and visual media.

View Degree

Subsurface Energy Engineering (Online)

MSc

The subsurface has a critical role to play in addressing global warming. Not only does the subsurface provide sources of low-carbon energy, for example, geothermal, but it also enables the storage of energy, including hydrogen, and the permanent sequestration of CO₂ in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs.

By studying this programme you will gain the engineering skills you need to launch your career in subsurface energy production and storage.

View the page for the online variant of this programme.

This programme is also available to study on campus.

View Degree

Museum Studies

MLitt

The one-year Museum Studies master's programme draws on the University’s extensive museum collections to enable you to explore critical approaches to museum theory while also studying the application of museum practice and research at first hand.

This course has both January and September start dates. Apply Now

Explore the latest digital exhibition curated by MLitt Museum Studies Students: "Toxic Relationships: The Dose Makes the Poison"

Did you know? Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in the UK for Anthropology and Archaeology* and 1st in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction in Anthropology** (*Guardian University Guide 2025, **National Student Survey 2024)

View Degree

Finance and Investment Management

MScEcon

The combination of academic research and practical, professional focus makes the prospect of studying our MSc Finance and Investment Management - featuring optional professional qualifications - highly appealing for those wanting to advance future career and earning potential.

View Degree

Policy Evaluation

MSc

The MSc in Policy Evaluation provides you with the skills required to contribute to evidence-based policy formation and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) processes across a range of fields in the public sector, voluntary organisations and private service providers.

This course has January and September start dates. Apply Now.

View Degree

Energy Economics and Law

LLM · MSc

This unique Masters programme combines the core disciplines of Economics and Law to equip you with the essential skills required to pursue a successful career such as in the global oil and gas industry, legal, financial or in related governmental organisations.

View Degree

Human Factors and Safety

PgCert

Our flexible PgCert will enhance your expertise and advance your career in the field of human factors and organisational psychology. You will learn to make valuable contributions to improving safety, efficiency, and human performance in sectors including aviation, energy, manufacturing, and healthcare. With the support of human factors experts from academia and industry, you’ll explore human factors principles and how to apply them in a range of work environments. You’ll also enhance your credibility and marketability in the job market by possessing a skill set that is increasingly in-demand across industries.

View Degree

Bioarchaeological Science

MSc

Bioarchaeological Science is at the forefront of the scientific study of the human past. This programme incorporates the study of human osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology along with the advanced study of human remains through genetic and isotopic analysis. You will learn the latest scientific techniques for the extraction, analysis and presentation of DNA, protein, stable isotope and lipid data.

View Degree