Thanks to the generosity of Aberdeen alumni, staff, and friends, hundreds of students benefit from life-changing opportunities every year. You can read more here about some of the students that have been supported and some of the initiatives that have been made possible thanks to these individuals over the past year. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact giving@abdn.ac.uk.
Lydia's stressful move made easier thanks to a scholarship
The thought of moving to a new city was a stressful experience for first year Politics student Lydia*, but with the help of a Development Trust Scholarship her transition to a new environment has been made easier.
“I often struggle to afford the books that are essential for my courses. The Scholarship has allowed me to buy all of them, taking away the stress of having to spend so much money on reading material, giving me more time to focus on my studies. My scholarship also helped cover the cost of buying household items for my new accommodation.
“I’m so grateful for this scholarship- without your support the stress of starting university in a completely unknown environment would be much greater.”
Hardship support "made me fall in love with Aberdeen even more.
”An unexpected repair bill, or sudden change of financial circumstances, can happen at any time during a student's university journey. But your donations have helped to give them a lifeline in a time of need. Hear below from two students who received emergency support from the Student Hardship Fund.
"I was going through a crisis while trying to finish up my dissertation. Receiving the hardship fund saved me. It sounds simple, but just knowing I could feed myself without panicking took away a massive weight.
“Because people like you stepped in and helped me when I needed it most, it completely changed how I felt. It made me feel like I actually belonged here, and honestly made me fall in love with Aberdeen even more. You have no idea how much your generosity carried me through."
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"Because of the war in my country, I was unable to receive any financial support from my family. This created a very difficult situation for me and put my studies at risk.
“Your donations have made a significant difference during one of the most challenging periods of my life.
"Thank you for making this support possible, and for helping students like me continue their education despite unexpected circumstances."
Sporting success for Bradley
Donations from the Aberdeen family are helping talented student athletes to thrive academically and competitively through the Sports Bursar programme.
Final-year medical student Bradley Francis has had a run of successes this summer, culminating in his Commonwealth Games debut after being selected for Team Scotland’s mixed 4×400m relay. The team qualified for the final and finished fifth overall. He also won gold in the men’s 4×100m relay and bronze in the 400m hurdles at the BUCS Outdoor Championships.
Your gifts are helping to foster a vibrant sporting culture on campus. These bursaries help cover essential costs such as travel and equipment, while expert-led seminars and physio sessions ensure our student athletes have the tools they need to thrive.
Alumni Annual Fund supporting WayWORD
Gifts to the Alumni Annual Fund helped to support the student led festival WayWORD, which is a vibrant part of Aberdeen's cultural scene, bringing together students, artists and local communities through a celebration of literature, music, film, comedy, and the arts.
Supported by staff mentors, the festival provides invaluable hands-on experience, helping students develop skills that enhance their confidence and future employability.
The festival also creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds across the north east of Scotland to engage with culture, helping ensure that creativity is open and accessible to everyone.
Lecturer and Festival Director, Dr Shane Strachan said: “We are incredibly grateful to supporters of the Alumni Annual Fund for helping make WayWORD possible. Your gifts are helping students to develop their ideas, gain real-world skills and create meaningful cultural experiences for our communities. Your continued support is vital in ensuring this festival can grow, thrive and remain accessible to all, thank you!”
Helping Aberdeen remain "open to all"
Thanks to your support, 10 students received a Welcome Bursary helping them settle in and purchase essential items like IT equipment and household items. These bursaries support first year students from disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them a stepping stone that helps them to ‘start up’ at university.
Business Management student Mina* said: "School had always been a struggle for me, and I moved away from home to a city I had only visited once. University was a fresh start where I really found my tribe. I joined a society and met loads a great people. I want to thank you so much. The welcome bursary was so helpful, it gave me some breathing room financially."
Thank you for helping make the future unlimited for our students. As we start a new academic year, we look forward to what else we can achieve with the support of the Aberdeen family.
*Lydia and Mina's names have been changed to protect anonymity