Aberdeen
91 Reviews by Students #90 out of 422 University locations
Each part of this city makes you love it, you don't only will be able to live in a place having a beach but also mountains. Moreover the city centre is great to go with friends, because you are able to do everything in one place; but what I love the most is being able to walk to every place of this city.
By Maria.D.C. On 20th July 2020
Study in Aberdeen
Aberdeen has the distinction of being the home of one of the oldest universities both in the UK and Europe, the University of Aberdeen, which was established in 1425. The city is also home to Robert Gordon University and the two universities enjoy some friendly rivalry.
Image Credit
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen combines ancient traditions with modern teaching and facilities. Teaching is organised across 12 schools which encompasses a broad range of disciplines. With multi-million pound investment students are provided with some of the best facilities in the UK.
Image Credit
Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University commonly known as RGU, prides itself on reputation for producing graduates that are highly sought after by employers. The teaching at the university has been recognised with a gold award by the Teaching Excellence Framework. The university has 11 academic schools based at the Garthdee Campus just outside Aberdeen city centre.
Study in Aberdeen? Review your town
Aberdeen Student Life
About 10% of the town is made up of students so it is really geared towards the two universities. There are plenty of activities and entertainment to keep you busy when you have time away from the books, whilst being set in the beautiful grey granite architecture of Aberdeen.
Cost of Living
Accommodation
Student accommodation costs are on average £134 per week.
Compare the average elsewhere: Glasgow: £167/week, Dundee: £138/week, Edinburgh: £202/week.
(prices are for all purpose-built student accommodation (both private and university-owned) in August 2020, as listed on StudentCrowd)
The average price for:
A cheap meal at a restaurant: £15
A pint of beer: £3.40
A regular takeout coffee: £2.64
1L of milk: £0.73
A loaf of white bread: £0.91
Prices are about 9% higher than equivalent costs in Glasgow, about 7% higher than Dundee and the same as Edinburgh.
(Source: Numbeo)
Nights Out
Image Credit
Pubs
Aberdeen is the home of Brewdog, so you can enjoy the flagship pub and their large selection of craft beers. On the weirder side, there’s a gothic-themed Slains Castle, set inside an old church building. For that and the 7 Deadly Sins inspired cocktail list it’s definitely worth a look.
Image Credit
Nightclubs
There are plenty of nightclubs in the city to fuel your clubbing fix, most host dedicated student nights too. Some of the firm favourites are Underground, Triplekirks and Exodus or for a fun night of the ’80s and ’90s head to Club Tropicana. For those who like to dress to the nines then NOX is for you.
Image Credit
Live Music Venues
The city has a thriving live music scene. For smaller venues and something more underground be sure to check out The Tunnels, Blue Lamp and The Lemon Tree.
Public Transport
There is a great bus service in Aberdeen and it is also a good city to get around by bike. To travel further afield Aberdeen has great road and rail service with regular train services to major cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. Aberdeen also has an international airport, which provides an extensive network of routes across the UK and Europe.
Eating Out
Image Credit
The Bobbin is a popular pub among students and is just a few minutes walk from the University of Aberdeen. The food is cheap but great quality, they also put on events such as quizzes and parties. It’s the perfect place to go to with mates after a long day of lectures.
Image Credit
Bonobo Cafe is a quirky vegan cafe, the food is so tasty that you don’t have to be vegan to love it. They offer delicious big portions serving breakfast, lunch and cakes. When the sun does decide to appear make sure you make use of their serene roof terrace.
Image Credit
.jpg)
Books and Beans. This cafe does what it says on the tin! A book shop that has a cafe that serves good coffee and quality food, it’s great for breakfast, where you can get anything from pancakes to a warming bowl of porridge.
Image Credit
(2).jpg)
Shopping
The Union Square, Trinity and Academy Shopping Centres are right at the heart of Aberdeen’s retail zone. Union Street, also known as the Granite Mile, is the main high street area where you’ll find popular shops such as Primark, Apple and Debenhams. Belmont Street you’ll find specialist and independent shops whilst at the top of Union Street is where you can find your high-end shopping - if that’s your bag.
Days Out
If you like castles, you’ll love this. The list covers thirteen of the best castles the region has to offer (although we can’t guarantee all the roofs are still in one piece. Take an umbrella, just in case).
Image Credit
Whisky
Probably Scotland’s most famous export, so it would be a shame not to find out some more about it. The Glen Garioch Distillery is about half an hour outside the city and will give a tour, as well as a wee dram or two for you to sample.
Image Credit
.jpg)
Golf
Like most Scottish cities, there’s a bit of a golf fixation going on, with half a dozen large golf courses spread around the outskirts of Aberdeen. Why not try your hand at it?
Image Credit
The stunning heart of the Highlands. Head here for outdoor adventuring, and perhaps a glimpse of majestic red deer or golden eagles.
Image Credit
Aberdeen’s own beach is pretty nice and sandy, and if you want to go further afield you’ll find everything from quiet fishing villages to dramatic clifftops.
Top 10 Aberdeen Accommodation
The Old Fire Station
Stayed here for 2 years now and couldn’t recommend the place enough. I feel very safe with the security team and the staff. Hazel is great as once we ...
Fraser Studios
After a few days staying at Fraser Studios in Aberdeen I am convinced that it was the right choice! The apartments are really nice layout and its ver...
Powis Place
I've been living at Powis Place for two years now and I am fully satisfied from my experience! The rooms are very nice and cozy, and the staff is amaz...
Don Street House
A great location if you go to University of Aberdeen, a very quiet area...
Causeway View
NO DEPOSIT or payments made before you move in was amazing, the staff were so friendly at check in they made me feel settled in straight away after mo...
Pittodrie Street, Aberdeen
My daughter stayed here last year and i have to say she loved it ! i thought all the staff were brilliant and very nice any time i came to visit! Glad...
King Street Exchange
I have lived at this property for both my 1st and 2nd year of Uni and I love it! The social spaces available mean you get lots of space and the staff ...
Crathie Student Village
Mealmarket Exchange, Aberdeen
This accommodation is an amazing place. This place is not far from University of Aberdeen and near Morrisons. You will spend around 20 mins to the uni...
Trinity Court Aberdeen
I have really enjoyed staying at Trinity Court, its in a brilliant location near the University of Aberdeen. The flats are nice, bright and not crampe...
Read Aberdeen Reviews
The city is a beautiful...
The city is a beautiful place that offers an amazing student experience read more
Aberdeen is a fun city...
Aberdeen is a fun city to live in, close to loads of nice spots to get to buy train and the nightlife before the pandemic was great. Flats are cheap here as well so makes it even better living here. read more
Eating out is horrible....
Eating out is horrible. The drivers of the buses are hospitality. If the bus announces the location when the bus arrives at the next station, it will be perfect. read more
Public transport is expensive,...
Public transport is expensive, otherwise a great city read more
If you can get private...
If you can get private student accommodation, prices are reasonable. The buses are super expensive and can be unreliable. read more
Aberdeen is a fine city...
Aberdeen is a fine city to live in. Union square is a good shopping centre, there are plenty of supermarkets. Plenty of buses. It's COVID so I have no idea about nights out read more
well quite limited to...
well quite limited to comment as of now is covid. read more
My first impression of...
My first impression of Aberdeen is that it's a nice student city! The sea is close by which gives the possibility to relax; the university campus, however, provides all infrastructure needed for a good study. read more
Uni is always expensive...
Uni is always expensive but never found Aberdeen ridiculously so always food afford to go out and public transport is very good with busses taking you all over. read more
The closest shopping...
The closest shopping centre is a 30min walk away, and Aberdeen is expensive to live in read more
Nice city and convenient...
Nice city and convenient transport read more
I have not been able...
I have not been able to go out much to Covid, so its not the cities fault, just haven't been out. read more
The only reason the experience...
The only reason the experience isn’t that great is due to Covid, otherwise I’m sure this would be higher read more
Expensive city, low selection...
Expensive city, low selection of restaurants/bars/clubs and pretty much all clubs are tiny and overpriced. However, rent is cheap since oil crash read more
Each part of this city...
Each part of this city makes you love it, you don't only will be able to live in a place having a beach but also mountains. Moreover the city centre is great to go with friends, because you are able to do everything in one place; but what I love the most is being able to walk to every place of this city. read more
Don’t have lots of shops,...
Don’t have lots of shops, but you can walk to any destination read more
So much to do and the...
So much to do and the country is beautiful read more
Beautiful city and very...
Beautiful city and very central lovely people read more
Public transport is superb....
Public transport is superb. Always on time. Don't bother thinking about the best night clubs. It doesn't exist here in Aberdeen. The best is usually just "Okay". read more
Overall I have had an...
Overall I have had an absolutely good time in Aberdeen so far and looking forward to more memories read more
Can feel a bit isolated...
Can feel a bit isolated at times. read more
Generally Aberdeen is...
Generally Aberdeen is a great city for students. It has a lot of student accommodation and entertainment options and eating out might be a little bit pricey sometimes, but its totally worth it! read more
Wonderful city with lots...
Wonderful city with lots of activities and industry presence. Cosmopolitan and accommodating. Living here is peaceful and less stress compared to other cities In the UK read more
Quite expensive place...
Quite expensive place but also very small. Quite easy to find shops and buses nearby. read more
Aberdeen is like a large...
Aberdeen is like a large town than a city read more
The weekly shop can be...
The weekly shop can be done for a reasonable price, and there’s loads of places to go for food etc. Nights out are very very good but it can be super expensive during the weekend. Shopping is pretty good but most students just shop online as shopping trips aren’t really in most people’s budget! Public transport in the city itself is generally good, however, if wanting to travel slightly further afield eg into Aberdeenshire for a day out, thorough planning is required as services become less reliable depending on the provider and area etc. read more
Coming from a small town,...
Coming from a small town, the facilities and various things to do have blown me away. I feel safe here at all times and have never been bored in the 2 years I've been here. If drinking is your thing then you have your pick of many bars and clubs all situated in the city centre. If you are sporty then Aberdeen Sports Village is opposite Aberdeen University and is a world class facility cheap to students. For shopping you have 3 shopping centres within 5 mins walk of each other and many other shops along union street. Or if you're an idiot like me, you can go crab hunting and exploring down the beach at midnight with a torch. read more
hard to get around places...
hard to get around places but that's just my high standards read more
Bus drivers are crazy...
Bus drivers are crazy drivers - they don’t get enough time to get from one stop to next especially when traffic gets factored in. read more
Very average on all accounts....
Very average on all accounts. One of my least favorite things about studying in Aberdeen is the city. Always has a depressing grey feel to it read more
Anyone who knows Aberdeen...
Anyone who knows Aberdeen well knows that it looks depressingly grey and morbid. If you were Count Dracula you might like that kind of aesthetic? read more
nice place to live, bit...
nice place to live, bit cold sometimes read more
Nice city to stay in...
Nice city to stay in & close to everywhere read more
The costs are justified...
The costs are justified by the beautiful place read more
Aberdeen is a nice friendly...
Aberdeen is a nice friendly city, but it doesn't have much going for it. It needs more culture outwidth its universities read more
Public trasportation...
Public trasportation sucks here. It's too expensive and the buses are very outdated read more
this building is located...
this building is located near union street where all the shops, cinemas, restaurants, and activities are read more
Amazing the best ever...
Amazing the best ever love it here read more
Better night out in Glasgow...
Better night out in Glasgow but still have a good night out read more
It's good af, love it...
It's good af, love it here elgins boring read more
Everything is nice and...
Everything is nice and close to each other read more
Beautiful city and great...
Beautiful city and great nights out read more
Enjoyable place but very...
Enjoyable place but very grey and dull. Not much change. read more
First bus has a monopoly...
First bus has a monopoly on the buses and they are, like anywhere else in the UK, awful. It's also kinda pricey to live here as a broke student but otherwise it's a good city. read more
I love living here in...
I love living here in Aberdeen since this is where my grandparents attended University and where my grandmother grew up. I’m very happy that I get to have the same experience as they did when they were here. read more
Good location and everything...
Good location and everything is round about when needed read more
Nice city for students...
Nice city for students with everything accessible read more
Aberdeen is a nice place...
Aberdeen is a nice place to live, lots of shops, restaurants and activities to do read more
Very expensive , nights...
Very expensive , nights out better than expected read more
The people are very welcome...
The people are very welcome and friendly. Food is delicious. read more
Aberdeen is a lovely...
Aberdeen is a lovely city with a great location for getting into the highlands or spending time on the sea. However, it does lack in amenities such as a broad selection of cheap eats--most of the pubs in town have the exact same menu and ethnic options are very similar and not of good quality. Shopping is eh: a repeat of your basic shops all within blocks of one another with City Centre dead after 6:00 pm. Public transport is overpriced, ALWAYS late, and not convenient; there are two companies operating with Stagecoach offering the best fares and forays into the wider parts of Aberdeenshire but First providing more routes around the city itself. I would have liked more restaurants and shopping within walking distance of each neighborhood and, definitely, more entertainment and restaurant options around the University of Aberdeen campus. FYI: if you come to Scotland expecting sunshine and warm weather, you are gravely mistaken; be wary of seagulls. read more
a great bus service to...
a great bus service to and from campus making the relatively short journey into the city centre easier! There are 3 shopping malls and a large high street with plenty of shops. I found that everything I needed was catered for including several large supermarkets close to halls. Accommodation is difficult to find after halls and can be expensive, so searching early is essential! Nights out are great as well, with cheap drinks at Paramount and good atmosphere in most other clubs. read more
Aberdeen is an amazing...
Aberdeen is an amazing city, On a night out, most people are out to have a good time and not cause trouble, one of the best nightclubs is Underground who do great theme nights over the whole year. Korova is a lovely place to eat and drink with half price food on mondays and half price cocktails from tuesday to thursday, great place for pre-drinks read more
Cost of halls is not...
Cost of halls is not worth the money read more