The University has selected a wide-ranging set of nineteen attributes, which you will have opportunities to develop and enhance during your time studying here, with a view to being prepared for further study, future employment and citizenship.

Opportunities to develop and achieve these skills and qualities will occur in learning experiences in the curriculum, in credit-bearing courses, and also in co-curricular activities such as work placements, study abroad and volunteering. You will find a wealth of academic and professional skills development resources in the Achieve site (undergraduates) and Achieve+ site (taught postgraduates) in MyAberdeen.

The Aberdeen Graduate Attributes are grouped in four broad areas:

Achieve

Developed by the Careers Service and the Student Learning Service, the Achieve resources are there to enable you to self-assess, reflect and improve upon your academic and professional skills. Achieve also links directly to the Learners’ Toolkit, developed by IT Services, and the Library’s guides and resources. When you have access to MyAberdeen, you will find Achieve in the 'My Organisations' section.

In accordance with the University's commitment to Equality and Diversity, you can request support with any aspect of the Graduate Attributes framework through your Personal Tutor or by contacting graduate-attributes@abdn.ac.uk.

Academic Excellence Critical Thinking & Effective Communication
  • In-depth and extensive knowledge, understanding and skills at internationally-recognised levels in their chosen discipline(s);
  • A breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills beyond their chosen discipline(s);
  • An ability to participate in the creation of new knowledge and understanding through research and inquiry;
  • A contextual understanding of past and present knowledge and ideas;
  • An intellectual curiosity and a willingness to question accepted wisdom and to be open to new ideas
  • A capacity for independent, conceptual and creative thinking;
  • A capacity for problem identification, the collection of evidence, synthesis and dispassionate analysis;
  • A capacity for attentive exchange, informed argument and reasoning;
  • An ability to communicate effectively for different purposes and in different contexts;
  • An ability to work independently and as part of a team;
  • A diverse set of transferable and generic skills
Learning & Personal Development Active Citizenship
  • An openness to, and an interest in, life-long learning through directed and self-directed study;
  • An awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses,
  • A capacity for self-reflection, self-discovery and personal development
  • An awareness and appreciation of ethical and moral issues;
  • An awareness and appreciation of social and cultural diversity;
  • An understanding of social and civic responsibilities, and of the rights of individuals and groups;
  • An appreciation of the concepts of enterprise and leadership in all aspects of life;
  • A readiness for citizenship in an inclusive society