Founders' Week 2025

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Founders' Week 2025

Celebrating 530 Years of Impact

Founders' Week 2025

Founded in 1495 by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland, the University of Aberdeen is Scotland's third oldest and the UK's fifth oldest university. He set out the purpose of the University – then King’s College – to be ‘open to all and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in the service of others’. 

In Founders’ Week we pay tribute to our historic origins as an ancient University, reflect on the important role the University continues to play in education and research and celebrate the support of our benefactors over the centuries. From the vision of Bishop Elphinstone to the insights in medicine, science and engineering, law, social sciences, arts and humanities over five centuries which contributed to five Nobel prizes, Founders’ Week is a time to remember and celebrate the University’s contributions. 

Join us as we mark the 530th anniversary of the founding of the University of Aberdeen with a series of events and activities that honour the University’s rich history and its continuing impact on the world around us. 

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