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Exchanges

How do I study for a short time at Aberdeen?

The Programme

The University of Aberdeen operates exchange programmes with 11 colleges and universities in the USA. We also have exchange programmes with 4 universities in Canada, 5 universities in Hong Kong, 1 university in Japan, and 1 university in Korea.
The University of Aberdeen has been welcoming exchange students for nearly four decades.  We normally have between 100 and 150 study abroad and exchange students per year.  If you are attending one of our exchange partner institutions and are interested in studying at the University of Aberdeen, please contact the Exchange Office at your home institution. We look for students of an independent character who have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or equivalent, and who have the support of their home institution.
The University of Aberdeen has exchange partnerships with the following institutions:

Canada

Hong Kong

Japan

United States of America

Student Life at the University of Aberdeen

Once here, you will be wholly integrated into Aberdeen student life. You will join the same classes, live in the same halls of residence, and have the same access to sports and recreational facilities as all Aberdeen students. You also have the same access to all the Student Support Services available at the University of Aberdeen, including counselling, chaplaincy services, disability provisions, and international student support. You will have the added support of the International Office as well as a dedicated academic advisor. Your academic advisor will be familiar with international student needs and will be a resource to help you during your studies at Aberdeen.
During your time at Aberdeen you have the opportunity to join any of the student societies or sports clubs on offer at the University. These societies and clubs provide excellent social opportunities as well as the chance to explore your interests.
There are also many opportunities to volunteer in Aberdeen. Please check out our Volunteering Centre to find out how you can get involved in the community.

Study Opportunities

Our year is divided into semesters with exams at the end of each semester. Your workload will be measured in credit points. 60-70 credits per semester make up a full academic load. We strongly encourage students not to take more than 80 credits per semester as this may hinder their comprehensive study abroad experience. Students must take a minimum of 50 credits in order to satisfy their visa requirements as full-time students, but this is not considered a full load at the University of Aberdeen.
Courses range between 10-30 credit points each, so students take a variable number of courses per semester, usually between two and four courses You can find a listing of courses in our online Course Catalogue. You are welcome to choose courses across the whole curriculum at Aberdeen, with a few exceptions. Please click here for guidance on course selection, including prerequisites and restricted courses (PDF).
Depending on your entry method, a transcript will be sent either to your home institution or directly to you at the end of your stay in Aberdeen. The transcript will reflect your coursework as well as the grade earned for each course. The transcript will provide a suggested conversion scale for translating the credit from the UK system to the US system.

More about the University of Aberdeen

The University is the third oldest educational institution in Scotland, founded in 1495- only three years after Columbus discovered America! The University is situated within the attractive, prosperous and friendly city of Aberdeen , which has a population of around 220,000 people. Aberdeen is a student-friendly city and a perfect base for exploring the rest of the UK and Europe. Aberdeen enjoys good rail links with the rest of the UK, and Aberdeen’s International Airport has direct links with many British and European cities, including London, Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
Full information can be found on the Welcome to the University of Aberdeen webpage.

Costs

Tuition Fees 2009-10 (Direct Entry)

£
First semester only 4,625
Second semester only 4,625
Full academic year 9,250

You can check the current equivalent to your local currency at www.xe.com/ucc.
You can find information on the estimated cost of living for Aberdeen students here

Accommodation

Study abroad students are guaranteed a place in the Hillhead Halls of Residence. Study abroad students are integrated in the halls with all the other Aberdeen students, so you will have the opportunity to meet local students as well as other international students. Both catered and self-catered accommodation is available at Hillhead.* Catered accommodation includes a meal plan, and consists of a hall of single bedrooms with a large shared bathroom (like a typical dormitory). Self-catered accommodation does not include a meal plan, and consists of 4-6 single bedrooms in a flat (apartment) with a shared kitchen and bathroom. Please visit the Student Accommodation website for more details about the accommodation available.
*Please note that self-catered accommodation remains open throughout the academic year, while catered accommodation closes during two weeks of the Christmas break. Students in catered accommodation will be required to find alternate lodging during the two weeks their accommodation is closed over Christmas.

Academic Dates

1st Semester, September - January
2008/09
2009/10
Arrive by
Sun 21 Sep Sun 20 Sep
Orientation
Mon 22 Sep Mon 21 Sep
Registration
 Tue 23 & Wed 24 Sep Tue 22 & Wed 23 Sep
Classes Begin
Mon 29 Sep Mon 28 Sep
Classes End*
Fri 19 Dec Fri 18 Dec
Beginning of Christmas Vacation
Sat 20 Dec Sat 19 Dec
End of Christmas Vacation
Sun 6 Jan Sun 10 Jan
Revision Week Begins
Mon 12 Jan Mon 11 Jan
First Written Examination
Sat 17 Jan Sat 16 Jan
Students Free
to Depart Evening of
Fri 30 Jan Fri 29 Jan
Student Accommodation
Contract Ends
 Sat 31 Jan Sat 30 Jan

*Students who come for the Fall Term only, and whose second semester at their home institution begins before the end of January, may leave after classes end in December and are not required to return to Aberdeen in January. Instead, you will make arrangements to do extra work before you leave in lieu of taking exams in January.

2nd Semester, January - June
2009
2010
Arrive by
 Fri 30 Jan Fri 29 Jan
Orientation and Registration
 Sat 31 Jan Sat 30 Jan
Classes Begin
Mon 2 Feb Mon 1 Feb
Beginning of Easter Vacation
Sat 28 Mar Sat 27 Mar
End of Easter Vacation
 Sun 19 Apr Sun 18 Aprr
Revision Week Begins
Mon 18 May Mon 17 May
First Written Examination
Sat 23 May Sat 22 May
Students Free to Depart Evening of
Fri 12 Jun Fri 11 Jun
Student Accommodation Contract Ends
 Sat 13 Jun Sat 12 Jun

Visa Info:
Approximately 3 months prior to your arrival, the University will issue accepted students a visa letter (entitled Certificate of Acceptance) with guidance on applying for entry clearance.  Please visit www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/international/visa.shtml for information regarding the process to obtain entry clearance to the UK.

Finding out more:

If you are a student at an exchange partner institution, please contact the Exchange Office at your home institution.  If you do not attend one of our partner institutions, you can still study as a visiting student at the University of Aberdeen through our Study Abroad Programme here
If you would like to know more about our Exchange Programme, please email us directly with your questions at studyabroad@abdn.ac.uk or write to:
University of Aberdeen
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service
International Exchange Programme
King’s College
Aberdeen
United Kingdom
AB24 3FX
Phone: +44 1224 272026
Fax: +44 1224 272576