AFS City Guides

The complete student guide to Aberdeen

11 min read·Last updated: 13 July 2026

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Curated and written by

Elizabeth Hadley

AFS Content Creator

Studying at University of Lincoln

11 min read

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Why study in Aberdeen

Affordable and high standard of living
Compared with London, Edinburgh, and Manchester, Aberdeen offers a more affordable student lifestyle while maintaining an excellent quality of life. Students benefit from lower crime rates than many larger cities, creating a safe and welcoming environment. The city also provides access to beautiful beaches, coastal scenery, and the nearby Scottish Highlands, giving students plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, explore nature, and maintain a healthy study-life balance.
International student community
There are two universities in Aberdeen: Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen. Both universities attract students from around the world, creating a multicultural environment and support networks for international students.
International students benefit from strong academic support, excellent career opportunities, and a diverse cultural experience that helps them feel at home while studying abroad. The city also offers modern facilities and a vibrant student community, creating a well-rounded and enriching student experience.
Surrounded by nature
Aberdeen is an excellent place to study for nature lovers, offering a unique blend of city life and outdoor adventure. Students can enjoy the sandy shores of Aberdeen Beach, spot dolphins along the coast, and relax in beautiful parks. The city is also close to Cairngorms National Park and the Scottish Highlands, providing easy access to hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, and breathtaking landscapes, making it ideal for those who enjoy exploring the outdoors.
Lots of culture
Aberdeen is a great place to learn about culture, offering a rich blend of Scottish heritage and international influences. Students can explore historic landmarks, museums, art galleries, and traditional festivals while experiencing the city’s unique granite architecture and local traditions. Aberdeen’s diverse student population also provides opportunities to engage with people from different backgrounds, broadening cultural understanding. From music and theatre to history and community events, the city offers something for everyone.

Key facts about Aberdeen

Student life in Aberdeen

While in Aberdeen make sure you try a Buttery, the local specialty. Flaky like a croissant they are best with butter and jam. Some of the best food you will eat in and around campus will come from Food Story. Located in the Taylor building, they specialise in veggie and gluten-free dishes making it one of the more inclusive cafes around. Personally, I love the pasta salad followed up with a cinnamon bun as a real treat. Best place for a chat with friends between lectures or a little study sesh. We are lucky in Aberdeen to have 2 Nando’s locations! If the weather is getting you down, a cheeky Nando’s with a friend is the best pick me up. Both on Belmont Street and Union Square if you are looking for a familiar spot Nando’s is always there (The hot sunset burger does not get enough recognition). If you need food fast, the shelter coffee is always a great place to go, right on the old campus high street it’s difficult to beat. The paninis they serve are amazing and the owners are always lovely to talk to. After a long day at Uni, most students gather at The Bobbin. With a warm atmosphere and cheap drinks (most societies have a QR code for a discount) it’s one of the best places in Aberdeen to catch up. Wetherspoons (Spoons) is always an absolute classic and there’s a great one on the corner of Castle and King Street. Live music at Tunnels is always worth a visit. Located under city centre in two large tunnels, it’s one of the most unique venues in the city. Tunnels is also a great way to find your new favourite indie band with live music multiple times a week. Revolution is also a first stop for many students, located on Belmont Street in city centre, Revolution is always a great way to start off a night, a selection of great burgers, flavoured shots and an outdoor terrace for the occasional warm night. Slains and Siberia are also on Belmont Street and are always worth a visit. The real star of Belmont Street though is the Belmont Chipper open until 4am. Nothing beats a Belmont chippy on a late night! Every February, when curling up at home seems to be the best plan, the city centre glows as a festival of lights fills the streets. Every year is something new, from a giant glowing man to a tree of lanterns the city manages to create excitement even during the darkest time of the year. If you prefer living life fast, there’s no better place than Transition Extreme Sports. With a huge climbing wall, skate park and aerial assault course, it has everything needed for the best adventure and you don’t even have to leave the city centre! Prices range from £7.50 for the bouldering to £13.00 for the skatepark and pump track. Equipment hire is also available. Around Christmas, we also have a small Christmas market, found on Broad Street next to Marischal College. They have everything from ice skating to festive food and drink. If you’re in the area, you can also pay a quick visit to Barry the leopard. Located in Marischal Square, Barry is a sculpture made by Andy Scott, the same artist who made the kelpies in Falkirk. (Its real name is ‘poised’ but Barry sounds better!) If you take the X63 bus, you can walk down to Newburgh beach where you will see (depending on the time of year) a small colony of grey seals. If there are any seals on the same side of the river as you, please keep at least 10m away from them. Taking the 12 bus from city centre will take you south along the coast, getting off at North Balnagask Road you can take a quick walk to the Greyhope café. Not only does this café have some great brownies, but it also has a stellar view of the North Sea, where dolphins are often spotted. It’s a perfect place to get a little studying done on a quiet day. Just north of Aberdeen, across the River Don, there lies North Donmouth Beach, occasionally through the year various university societies will hold barbecues here. It’s a great time, shuffling around the fire, trying to avoid the smoke and inevitably burning your marshmallow! It’s usually quiet during the day and the further north you walk, the fewer people you will see. Your only company is the sea and the ruins of World War 2 outposts slowly sinking into the sand. It’s also ideal for wildlife spotting, from migrating short-eared owls to hovering kestrels, there’s always something new. This walk is tidal, be careful that you don’t get caught out when the tides come back in!

Cost of living in Aberdeen

Wondering how much it costs to live in Aberdeen as a student? We’ve broken down typical monthly expenses and compared them to the national average, so you can plan your budget with confidence.

Expense	Aberdeen average	National average	Difference
Rent (monthly)	£698	£891.63	£193.6322% less
Utilities (monthly)	£118	£112.25	£5.755% more
Bus pass (monthly)	£81	£61.13	£19.8732% more
Groceries	£15.48	£15.40	£0.081% more
Gym pass (monthly)	£42.75	£34.59	£8.1624% more
Takeaway coffee	£3.35	£3.54	£0.195% less

Rent (monthly)
Aberdeen average
£698
National average
£891.63
Difference
£193.6322% less
Utilities (monthly)
Aberdeen average
£118
National average
£112.25
Difference
£5.755% more
Bus pass (monthly)
Aberdeen average
£81
National average
£61.13
Difference
£19.8732% more
Groceries
Aberdeen average
£15.48
National average
£15.40
Difference
£0.081% more
Gym pass (monthly)
Aberdeen average
£42.75
National average
£34.59
Difference
£8.1624% more
Takeaway coffee
Aberdeen average
£3.35
National average
£3.54
Difference
£0.195% less

Universities in Aberdeen

The Robert Gordon University

As one of the top university in Scotland for graduate employability, Robert Gordon University provides students with academic and extra curricular opportunities to further themselves in the world.

Read guide →

University of Aberdeen

As Scotland's 3rd oldest university, the University of Aberdeen dates back to 1495.

Read guide →

Getting around Aberdeen

Transport in Aberdeen is extensive, but students mainly use the bus network operated by First Bus and Stagecoach, as well as the convenient inter-campus shuttles and local rail. Students under 22 can ride for free across Scotland, while older students can purchasediscounted multi-journey tickets. Apply for a Young Scot Card to get discounts!

Buses

The routes that University of Aberdeen students mainly use to get to and from campus include: 1, 1B, 2, 18, 19, 20, and 20A. According to the university, the 9U Bus Service is completely free for students and staff travelling between Hillhead, Old Aberdeen, and the Foresterhill campus. You simply need to show your NEC or Young Scot Card when boarding.
For Robert Gordon University (RGU) it’s the 1, 1A, 1B, and 2 which head directly to the Garthdee campus.

Cycling

Aberdeen is improving its network of dedicated cycle lanes, making commuting via bike a cheap and fast option. Both the University of Aberdeen and RGU offer many cycle hubs, secure parking, and they even have suggested commute videos noting different routes.

Trains

The ScotRail network connects Aberdeen to surrounding areas. Students can get a 1/3 off rail fares with a 16-25 Railcard or 26-30 Railcard.

Taxis/car

Taxi services are widely used for late-night travel when public transport is limited, with local firms like Rainbow City Taxis and Comcab being the go-to options.

Life after uni

Aberdeen has strong opportunities for graduates due to its local industry specialisations which range from marine life sectors to energy and else more.

Here are some key facts about employment prospects in Aberdeen:

Varied opportunities:
Many courses have strong links with industry, particularly in; energy (oil, gas, and renewables), engineering, computing and data science, healthcare, business and finance.
Well-known for research
The University of Aberdeen is particularly recognised for research in; medicine and health, energy transition, environmental science, marine biology, and artificial intelligence and data science.
Future-focused opportunities
With the swap from fossil fuels to renewable energies, Aberdeen is increasingly involved in renewable energy projects, offshore wind, and sustainability initiatives, making it attractive for students interested in future-focused industries.