Off Campus

The City

Welcome to one of the most lively, prosperous and beautiful regions of the UK. The city of Aberdeen truly has something for everyone. It is a vibrant modern city, with striking granite architecture, a rich and inspiring history, a dynamic modern arts scene and a stunning, dramatic coastline.

For more information about Aberdeen City and links to the entertainment, nightlife and cultural sights on your doorstep, visit the Aberdeen City pages on the main University site. 

The University of Aberdeen has teamed up with the Lonely Planet to create an exclusive new travel guide showcasing all that the Granite City has to offer students: Lonely Planet Study Aberdeen Guide.

Also consider taking a Local Area Tour, designed to show you all of the local services and amenities to help you settle in to your new life in Old Aberdeen quickly and easily. Running on Thursday 30 January and Friday 1 February at 12pm, from the Hub - book your place by emailing newstudents@abdn.ac.uk.  

Getting Around

By Bus

With a city network run by First Bus and a larger network covering further afield areas run by Stagecoach, Aberdeen is well served by buses. Various ticket types are available to students and it works out cheapest to buy one of the special season tickets. It is also worth remembering that First Buses require exact change! You will find the bus routes, timetables and fare information on the First Bus and Stagecoach websites. You can also visit the Infohub FAQ page for details of which buses serve the University campuses.

By Car

The University of Aberdeen has limited car parking available and it is therefore recommended that you use alternative transport.  For further information about car parking at the University, visit the Estates Parking page.

By Bike

Aberdeen is the perfect size for cycling. If you don't own your own bike, the Students' Association has the highly successful Becycle society which offers a free bike lending scheme. Cycling is good for your health, economical, and excellent for our local and global environment. It's also an enjoyable way to start the day.

On Foot

And of course walking is the most environmentally-friendly way to get from A to B. It's also good for your health, it helps you de-stress and wake up and is a great way to explore the hidden treasures of a new city. Finding the quickest route to university or Union Street can be a bit tricky, so visit the urban walking route planner that does the work for you!

For further information about transport to and from the University and around Aberdeen city, please visit the University Enviroment Office's Transport pages.

Eating Out

Whether you want nouvelle cuisine, a regional delicacy, a good old Indian or a fast food fix, Aberdeen caters for every palette. As a multicultural city, Aberdeen represents all international tastes with offerings in Italian, French, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Greek, Turkish and Hungarian fare. Not to mention the fantastic local seafood.

It's not just what you eat but where you eat that counts. Aberdeen has cosy bars for pub grub, intimate bistros, restaurants that boast art galleries and views of the sea and up-market hang-outs, so no matter what mood you're in or what tickles your taste buds, Aberdeen Dining will wet your appetite.

On-campus there is a range of dining facilities, whether you want to grab a snack or sit down to a three course meal, plus the city centre is only a 5 minute bus journey away.

Shopping

Aberdeen has everything a city in the UK should have and more.

All major supermarkets have a central location in the city, with a few being in close proximity to the campus and halls of residence. There are also a number of speciality food shops catering for halal and other dietary needs. Alternatively you can sign up to the Univeristy's weekly veg bag co-operative and enjoy the ease of getting fresh, nutritious, cheap, organic fruit and veg delivered from a local farm without even having to leave the campus.

If you fancy impressing your friends and flatmates, visit the Aberdeen Shopping Guide on Student Cooking TV. You will find tips for the best places to stock up on the best, and cheapest, local products to cook up a storm with!

You'll find all the major retail chains in Aberdeen, with four large city-centre shopping malls, including the piazza-style Academy and new Union Square complex. From high street stores and designer boutiques, to quirky independent outlets and thrift shops, shopaholics will be delighted by the quantity and quality of places on offer.

Being a student friendly city, a lot of shops also provide student discount to everyone with a valid NUS card, so you don't have to feel too guilty about that extra purchase!

Where can I buy bedding?

For students living in university and Unite accommodation we have listed a few shops below in case you need to do a bit of shopping (i.e. bedding packs) before you settle in for your first night here in Aberdeen.

You could also buy bedding and other items online and get them delivered to your Aberdeen address, if you wish. These are some of the companies who offer this service:

Dunelm Mill
Matalan