STUDY ABROADat the University of Aberdeen, Scotland

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WelcomeThank you for your interest in studyingabroad at the University of Aberdeen!

Since 1495, our University has beenrespected the world over for the high qualityof its teaching and research. Internationalstudents have long been drawn to study hereand we are proud of our reputation inwelcoming students from all over the world.

At Aberdeen, you will be joining a vibrantand stimulating scholarly community whereteaching is informed by staff who areengaged in world leading research. TheUniversity is equally committed to providingyou with the very best in support servicesand facilities. We have made anunprecedented multimillion poundinvestment to provide our students withsome of the very best facilities availableanywhere in the UK. These include anOlympic standard Sports Village andAquatics Centre, one of the largest wirelesscampuses in Europe, a state-of-the-artmedical teaching facility on Europe’s largesthealth campus and, our fantastic new £57mlibrary, which was opened by HM The Queenin September 2012.

Our Study Abroad Programme offers you theopportunity to earn credits towards yourdegree back home and with our broad rangeof disciplines, you will be able to tailor yourselection of classes to suit your individualrequirements.

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Living Here / Fast Facts

Scotland is a vibrant and exciting country thatcelebrates a rich diversity of cultural experience.From stunning landscapes to cosmopolitan cities,Scotland offers up a unique mix of tradition andinnovation.

The Scots are famed for their friendliness and zestfor life and this can be experienced first-handduring the variety of events and festivals on offerall year round..

The city of Aberdeen is an attractive, prosperousand friendly community of 250,000 people.Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest city and thecultural centre of the north-east of Scotland. Bigenough for the "big city" experience, studentfriendly Aberdeen is compact enough to make iteasy to find your way around and make friends.The city truly has something for everyone - fromthe bustling city centre of Europe's energy capitalto the superb countryside and coastline in an arearich in historic and natural interest.

Students describe Aberdeen as having anunrivalled social scene, which caters for all tastesin arts, culture, leisure and entertainment.Communication and travel links are excellent,which means getting around the rest of Scotlandand the UK is easy.

Aberdeen was named the UK’s Happiest City in a2013 survey, due to its rich culture, lowunemployment and enviable lifestyle. The cityboasts a wealth of cultural attractions, mostnotably His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall,and Arts Centre, which host numerous touringtheatre companies and musicians. Otherhighlights include Aberdeen Art Gallery, theMaritime Museum and the Tolbooth Museum,one of Aberdeen's oldest buildings and one of thebest-preserved 17th century gaols in Scotland.

Aberdeenshire is often referred to as CastleCountry and with good reason, as it has morecastles per acre than anywhere else in Britain.The stunning Dunnottar Castle offers aspectacular coastal setting while the nearbyBalmoral Castle is a private residence of theBritish Royal Family. The shire also provides arange of attractions for outdoor enthusiasts andwildlife lovers alike including climbing, skinning,snowboarding and walking.

Living in Scotland

Living in Aberdeen

Fast Facts> Three of Scotland’s five main ski

centres are only two hours from campus. Aviemore, the Cairngorm Mountain, Glenshee and the Lecht provide perfect pistes for board-riders and alpine skiers.

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> University events have drawn many authors, thinkers and commentators to the city; Seamus Heaney, Louis de Bernières, Sir David Attenborough, Professor Brian Cox and Bill Bryson are just some of the names who’ve appeared.

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> Fifteen miles south of campus the historic fishing port of Stonehaven has an attractive cliff fringed harbour and the gloriously crumbling Dunnottar Castle. It’s so picturesque Franco Zeffirelli filmed Hamlet with Mel Gibson here.

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> For 267 years the city of Aberdeen had two universities when there were only two universities in the whole of England.

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> A trace of Aberdeen’s rich history can be heard in Doric, a form of Scots whose historic phrases and lyrical pronunciations pepper some local’s everyday speech. Here are a couple of handy phrases to start you off: Fit like? – How are you?Nae Bad – Pretty good

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> “Bon Accord”. Knowing what Aberdeen’s motto means really helps you feel at home. In case anybody asks it means: ‘happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again’.

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The University of Aberdeen is Scotland's thirdoldest university, founded in 1495 as Columbuswas opening up the New World and theRenaissance was spreading throughout Europe.William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen andChancellor of Scotland, established King's Collegeto train doctors, teachers and clergy for thecommunities of northern Scotland, and lawyers andadministrators to serve the Scottish Crown. Thisfledgling university boasted, from 1497, the firstchair of medicine in the English-speaking world.

Picturesque and historic Old Aberdeen - home ofElphinstone's original foundation - is now the mainuniversity site. The 15th century remains verymuch alive in King's College Chapel, which is stillin regular use, offering an oasis of peace, beautyand a sense of history in the daily life of auniversity now focused on the needs of the newmillennium.

As you would expect from a university dedicatedto excellence in teaching and learning, you will betaught by the people who are at the forefront ofresearch in their particular fields. The Universityhas made bold new changes to modernise itscurriculum, inspired by major internationaluniversities like Harvard, Yale, Melbourne and Hong Kong.

The University of Aberdeen has been praised bythe UK Quality Assurance Agency for HigherEducation (QAA) for the quality of relationshipsbetween students and staff at all levels and 90% ofAberdeen's research activity is of internationalquality. The University has also been ranked one ofthe best places in the UK to study by the NationalStudent Satisfaction Survey.

The University of Aberdeen

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AcademicsThe Scottish higher education system has a strongtradition of academic excellence and has been usedas the model for higher education systemsthroughout the world - the United States being onenotable example.

The educational culture in Scotland is very muchfocused on independent learning and this isreflected in the number of contact hours studentshave with teaching staff. You may find that this isslightly lower than that of other countries, and theexpectation is that a significant amount of readingand study will be done outside of the classroom.Although the learning style is different, as well asthe help provided in tutorials, you will also be able to see your tutor outside of these times by bookingan appointment.

Photograph: Ian Cowe

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Facts

Founded in 1495

Ranked in world

top 1%300 students from North AmericaIn excess of $500 million investment

Top 10 in the UKfor Student Experience

16,000 students 20%of students fromoutside Europe

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The University has been welcoming visiting studyabroad students for over four decades. Our studentseither come to us through their home institution,through a third-party programme, or through directenrolment. Students can study at Aberdeen for thefall semester, spring semester or a full year. Thevariety and flexibility offered by Aberdeen combinedwith its unique location make it an attractive anddistinctive study abroad destination. Participating inthe study abroad programme provides you theopportunity to experience ‘the difference’ atAberdeen.

Most of our courses are available to visiting studyabroad students. With over 600 degree programmes,students easily find courses that match theiracademic interests and fulfil requirements of theirhome university. Everything from Anthropology toZoology is available along with our cross-disciplinary 6th Century Courses.

Study Abroad Programme

Classes Available

Assessment and

Courses range between 10-30 credit points each, sostudents take a variable number of courses persemester, usually between two and four courses. Ouryear is divided into semesters with exams at the endof each semester. After the completion of yourstudies, your home university will be issued atranscript with a suggested conversion scale.

Credit Transfer

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Entry Requirements To study at Aberdeen as a visiting study abroad orexchange student. The University requires:> A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent (on a 4.0

scale) or better.> An academic letter of reference from your home

institution.> An academic transcript.> A personal statement of 500 words explaining

why you would like to study at the University of Aberdeen.

> If English is not your first language we will require an English Language test. Please see our pages on English Requirements for details.

All international (except European Economic Areaand Swiss nationals) students will be required toapply for entry clearance to the UK.

Students who are studying for less than 6 monthsare able to apply for ‘Student Visitor’ entry clearancewhich is aimed at those short term students whowish to undertake a short course of up to six monthsand have no interest in full student visa entitlements,i.e. the ability to work or extend the length of yourentitlement to stay in the UK without first returninghome.

If you are studying for more than 6 months,undertaking an internship or work placement, orwould like to have full student visa entitlementsthen you must apply for a 'Tier 4' full student visa.

UK immigration regulations change frequently.Please carefully and regularly check the eligibilityand restrictions on the UK Visas and Immigrationwebsite.

Visa Information

You will find a downloadable application andguidance on how to apply on the Study Abroadpages of our website athttp://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/.The Closing Date for applications is 1 July for FullYear and First (Fall) Semester applications and 1 November for Second (Spring) Semesterapplications.

Tuition Fees

International Student Abroad £UK2015/16

Semester £6,500

Full year £13,000

How to Apply

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ousing / Cost of Living

Student Housing Cost of Living In addition to tuition fees, students will requireapproximately a further £820 per month(minimum) to cover living additional costs. Pleasenote that an additional allowance should also bemade for a student’s international travel to the UK.

All study abroad students are guaranteed a roomin university accommodation providedapplications are received by the stated deadline.Hillhead Halls is the student village on the banksof the River Don, only a 15 minute walk or a shortbus ride from the University campus. It is home tonearly 2,500 students and includes a number oftraditional catered halls, self-catering flats andfacilities for disabled students.

For more information please visitwww.abdn.ac.uk/accommodation.

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pus Life / Student Association / Sports V

illage

The University of Aberdeen has many excellentstudent facilities within its broad campus, from itsall-important lecture theatres, classrooms, andlaboratories, to its friendly social spaces andeateries. The Hub is the No.1 place on Campus tomeet friends - it’s filled with great places to eat,drink, shop and chill out.

Campus Life

Aberdeen University Student Association (AUSA)represents and serves students' interests. With over170 different sports clubs and societies, a wholerange of volunteering opportunities, support for allyour education and welfare issues, a 2nd handbookshop to buy and sell course texts and otherliterature as well as coordinating many eventsthroughout the year. AUSA strives to providestudents with a range of exciting activities andprofessional services to meet your requirements.

Student Association

Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) is the North East ofScotland’s premier sports facility and comprises of: alarge, multi-purpose sports hall; an indoor thirdgeneration football pitch; four squash courts; twoexercise studios; a state-of-the-art fitness suite;IAAF approved indoor and outdoor athleticsfacilities; a water-based hockey pitch; an on-sitephysiotherapy service; a seminar room; a crèche;and a cafe.

Aberdeen Sports Village

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Support Services

Student Support Services The Student Advice and Support office provideadvice and information on three broad areas:

> disabilities> international student matters> general advice and support

The University considers applications from allstudents on the same academic grounds. If there areparticular disability-related issues which have hadan impact on your studies, you should bring these toour attention during the application procedure. TheUniversity will always be proactive in makingadjustments to remove or reduce any barriers as faras it is possible to do so. The University DisabilityAdvisers offer support and guidance and are a firstpoint of contact for disabled students. You arewelcome to contact the Disability Advisers via e-mail or telephone to discuss your application.

The University also has a free counselling service –a confidential and professional service for studentsand staff who have personal, social, emotional oreducational concerns.

More information on student support can be foundat www.abdn.ac.uk/study/student-life.

Photographs: Ian Cowe

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Travel

TravelThe University is located within a city at the heartof a diverse and thriving regional economy.Aberdeen’s pivotal role in the international oil andgas industry means that it enjoys excellentcommunications and travel links.

For those who wish to travel while living inAberdeen, both Aberdeen train station andAberdeen International Airport provide good linksto the rest of the UK. The airport is served by anumber of major carriers, providing extensive directroutes to Europe and worldwide through majorhubs.

Getting around within the city is best done by footor bus. Aberdeen is a very walkable city, givingstudents the opportunity to explore in their owntime. There are also frequent local bus services thatlink the city centre with the our Old Aberdeen andForesterhill campuses.

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The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013683

Contact Information

Student Recruitment & Admissions Service

The Hub, Elphinstone Road,

King's College

University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen

AB24 3TU

Tel: +44 (0)1224 272026