Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a city of over 200,000 residents and offers plenty to do for a mid-sized city.  Aberdeen has two parts: Old Aberdeen, which is the more historic center and where the University is located, and Aberdeen, which is more of the business and commerce center. Also, both parts are part of the city of Aberdeen (we know it’s a little odd to say Aberdeen is part of Aberdeen!) 

The Scottish Isles and Scottish Highlands are not too far away for a quick day trip or students can easily take a train to London. This program location is excellent for traveling!

Whether you want to trace ancestors or just find out more about Scottish culture, Aberdeen is close to several of Scotland’s stunning stately homes. There, alongside breath-taking architecture, views, and beautiful grounds, you will hear tales of the spirits of spurned wives, and ghostly footsteps in the dead of night.

Also within easy driving distance from the city are impressive stone circles, standing stones and burial cairns, some dating back as far as the Bronze Age.

Every spring and summer the length and breadth of Scotland, visitors enjoy Highland Games that celebrate the diversity of Scottish culture. These popular events focus on competitive music, dancing, and heavy athletics such as caber tossing.

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

Founded in 1495, the prestigious University of Aberdeen is Scotland’s third and the UK’s 5th oldest university. Originally established to train doctors, teachers, clergy, and lawyers, the University has stayed true to its roots while also expanding to include many other disciplines including STEM and liberal arts courses. It has a student population of around 16,000 and a large international community of students and staff drawn from over 120 countries.

The University's picturesque campus is a mix of granite Gothic architecture that sparkles in the Scottish sun, and modern, purpose-built facilities. The 16th century buildings are interspersed with grassy quadrangles, botanical gardens, and woods. Several pubs, small shops and a post office located right on the campus all enhance the more traditional university amenities.

Much of the university's social life takes place in its variety of student clubs and societies. With over 100 societies and 50 sport clubs, you are encouraged to get involved.  You can also take advantage of the University's Students' Union, which houses cafes, bars, and nightclubs.

For sports and recreation, you will have access to a multi-gym and weights room, indoor game halls, full-size outdoor soccer pitches, indoor courts, outdoor playing fields, and an 18-meter swimming pool. Students can join the University athletic teams and play interscholastically.  Due to Aberdeen's advantageous location, there are a lot of activities that focus on outdoor pursuits such as: sailing, canoeing, skiing, mountaineering and hill walking.

Studying abroad at the University of Aberdeen is a great chance to experience the culture and heritage of a city spanning thousands of years.

Despite offering courses in nearly every academic discipline, the University of Aberdeen has been able to maintain a smaller community vibe. The administration at the school is very friendly, personable, & approachable, which is exactly what you want while overseas. Not to mention the campus is a great mixture of historic buildings and cutting edge technology, so you are sure not to go wanting for inspiration!

ASA semester programs in Aberdeen include 2 day excursions. Destinations may vary by term. Past terms have included trips to:

• Slains Castle & Bullers of Buchan - Slains Castle, also known as New Slains Castle to distinguish it from nearby Old Stains Castle, is a ruined castle in Aberdeenshire. It overlooks the North Sea from its cliff-top site. Bullers of Buchan refers both to a collapsed sea cave and to the adjacent village, situated about 6 miles south of Peterhead in Buchan, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
• Fraserburgh Lighthouse - The Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is a active lighthouse located on Kinnaird Head, in Fraserburgh, Scotland. The current light is the 2nd to be built on the headland, superseding the original which now forms part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
• Loch Ness & Inverness – Inverness from Scottish Gaelic meaning “Mouth of the River ness” is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is regarded as the capital of the highlands. Loch Ness is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 23 miles southwest of Inverness. Loch Ness is best known for alleged sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as “Nessie”.
• Isle of Skye - The Isle of Skye is connected to Scotland’s northwest coast by bridge, is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles. This island is dominated by the magnificent Cuillin mountain range whose rocky slopes provide some of the most dramatic scenery in Scotland.

University of Aberdeen
Semester/Academic Year

• Requirements
  • Minimum GPA 3.00 (Students with GPA between 2.80-2.99 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Language Requirement: None
  • Completed at least 1 semester at a U.S. or Canadian college/university before applying
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Official Transcript from your college or university
  • ASA Application. To start a new application or continue an existing application, click here.
  • Scan of your valid passport that does not expire sooner than 6 months after the day you plan to return home from abroad. A scan of your valid passport, is required at latest 2 weeks after the application deadline if you’re applying for an academic year abroad, or at latest 4 weeks after the application deadline if you’re applying for a semester abroad. If you don’t have a valid passport, confirmation of an expedited passport application is required before you can be accepted into this program. Please submit your passport application by expedited service if you do not have a valid passport.
  • For Application Deadlines, please click the Cost & Dates tab.

Included

• HOUSING in a residence hall or student flat with kitchen facilities. Meals not included. See housing tab for more info.

• TUITION for the maximum number of credits or courses indicated on the program course offerings page. Enrolling in more than the maximum number of credits/courses (if permitted by the host institution) will result in an additional fee.

• ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.

• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Final transcript is issued by the University of Aberdeen. Upon completion of the program, ASA will provide one free shipment of your final transcript to your U.S. institution.

• EXCURSIONS: 2 day excursions, locations to be decided.

• INTERNET ACCESS: Students will have free Internet access at their host institution and in their program housing.

• AIRPORT PICK-UP: Group ground transportation is provided from Aberdeen (ABZ) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date, by the designated time.

• SITE DIRECTOR: Students will have an on-site director to assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.

• MEDICAL INSURANCE: Comprehensive international medical insurance is included. Click here for details on benefits and coverage.

• VISA ADVISING: Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining their visa (if required for their term), but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance about which visa students will need and how to go about applying for one. Please click here and scroll down to “Student Visa Information” to find out if a visa is required for your program.

• PRE-DEPARTURE HANDBOOK & ON-SITE ORIENTATION

• SUBSCRIPTION TO SAFETURE SAFETY-ENHANCING MOBILE APP

• SUBSCRIPTION TO MINDHAMOK: a 24-7 service designed to support your mental, physical, and social wellbeing throughout your program. You can find out more about mindhamok in our Pre-Departure Guide for All Programs

Not included

• Round-trip airfare and travel expenses to and from the program location

• Books, materials, lab fees

• Local transportation

• Personal expenses

• Meals

• Laundry

• Meals on excursions

• Visa, if required

• Transportation from the airport if the student does not arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time

• Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program

For academic year students and those enrolling in more than one session, housing and other ASA services and benefits are not provided during the break between sessions. For academic year students only, medical insurance during winter break is included if it is required to get your visa.

If you need a budget or Costs of Attendance for your financial aid office, or if you simply want an estimate of the not-included costs listed above.