Learning & Teaching - Experiencing the Best

Learning & Teaching  
Learning & Teaching

Strategic objective: To deliver a high-quality student experience, growing the population where there are opportunities to do so through the recruitment of students with outstanding potential.

To attract the best students to Aberdeen, and in greater numbers, we must offer them an experience that is second-to-none. We are committed to helping those that have the potential to benefit from higher education to overcome any barriers to participation, and to providing the highest quality of support for all our students.

We have an internationally benchmarked and widely admired curriculum which, by combining intellectual rigour in the student’s chosen discipline with a breadth of multidisciplinary experience, ensures that our graduates leave university as critical thinkers and effective communicators, well able to face the next stage of their careers.

Good teaching is linked inextricably with good research. Aberdeen has a long and distinguished research pedigree, and in recent years we have invested heavily in recruiting and developing scholars of international standing, all of whom are committed to the joint challenges of excellence in teaching and research. We will continue to develop and enhance our teaching facilities, to allow students at all levels to have access to the best.

We have worked with employers to ensure that we imbue our students with the additional skills which will make them competitive in a challenging employment market, and through our co-curricular activities, we will provide our students with opportunities that enhance transferable skills and employability. We will continue to develop the STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Award to recognise those who have undertaken roles outside of their academic studies, in order to develop their transferable skills and competencies.

A university education is more than just that which is experienced in the classroom and our campus reflects this. In recent years we have spent £270 million to provide our students and staff with the best possible environment, while preserving the fine and ancient buildings at the heart of the University. The Aberdeen Sports Village, the Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare, and the iconic new library form the backdrop to a first-class student experience.

We aim to:

  • recruit the most talented students from the widest possible range of backgrounds
  • increase the numbers of part-time, postgraduate and international students
  • review the way in which we support postgraduate recruitment and the student population, with a view to establishing a University Graduate School
  • set the highest standards of teaching, linked with our research and scholarly activity, along with a high level of support for our staff which celebrates their achievements in teaching
  • offer first-class postgraduate and undergraduate courses that are fl exible enough to meet the changing demands of the employment market
  • improve continually assessment and feedback mechanisms
  • improve continually our rates of student retention and continuation
  • improve continually our rates of graduate employment
  • provide the support that our diverse student population should expect from an international institution, embedding the principles of equality and diversity in all our activities
  • ensure that our students have informed expectations and both see themselves and are seen as valued partners in the University community

Case Studies

Curriculum creates graduates for a challenging world

Our reformed curriculum is making ‘the difference’ for our students. Whole-scale changes in the structure, content, delivery and flexibility of degrees - combined with the experience, facilities and opportunities students gain on our campus and courses - offer a unique set of advantages and attributes designed to meet their needs, and those of employers, in our 21st century world. We are recognised as an international leader in pioneering a comprehensive programme designed to help Aberdeen graduates to leave the University academically excellent, intellectually flexible, and committed to personal development, while also being critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens.

The Co-curriculum

Curriculum Reform at Aberdeen is about more than just academic developments. It’s about providing our students with the opportunities to participate in activities that will help them enhance their personal development and skills.  The Co-curriculum complements the degree programme and includes work placements, voluntary activities, enterprise, study overseas and the STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Award initiative.  STAR Awards reward the contribution our students make to the wider University community and recognise the transferable skills and competencies developed through involvement in co-curricular activities such as sports, societies and volunteering, and acting as a class representative. The STAR Award is one way that students can demonstrate skills and competencies to employers.