Social Science | Students | The University of Aberdeen

Social Science

Welcome to the School of Social Science

Listen to Dr Sam May's new student welcome

Undergraduate

September 2026

Congratulations and welcome to the University of Aberdeen!

Your first class will be your School induction. This will help you prepare for the year ahead and provide you with useful advice on your course, as well as School contacts and information on getting the most out of your academic experience.

Your School Induction will not be on your timetable, so please make sure to check the date, time and location and add this to your calendar. You can also find details about your induction and course on MyAberdeen.

The date, time and location of your School induction will be shared nearer the start of term.

Key Contacts in School

For general enquiries related to your course, please email socsci@abdn.ac.uk.

Anthropology
Professor Martin Mills, Head of Department

PIR
Dr Tom Bentley, Head of Department

Sociology
Dr Andrew McKinnon, Head of Department

Reading Lists

Reading lists for individual courses will be available on the course pages on MyAberdeen at the start of term.

In the meantime, you can brush up your study skills and learn more about the University at our award-winning Toolkit website.

Postgraduate Taught

September 2026

Academic Induction

Your first class will be your Programme Induction Meeting. This will help you prepare for the year ahead and provide you with useful advice on your course, as well as School contacts and information on getting the most out of your academic experience.

All new students must report to the programme director of their particular programme of study see below for programme information.

Museum studies (MLitt)
Prof Alison Brown Students should attend both of the following Induction sessions. Individual meeting with Programme Director Wednesday 16 September, anytime between 2.00pm - 4.30pm, Edward Wright building, Block C, Room G4 Programme Induction with the teaching team Thursday 17 September, 11.00am, Collections Seminar Room, Sir Duncan Rice Library, Lower Ground Floor This induction will be followed by a tour of the Zoology Museum.
Anthropological Research (MSc)
Dr Johan Rasanayagam Tuesday 15 September, anytime between 10.00am - 1.00pm, Edward Wright building, Block C, Room G18
Climate Politics and Policy (MSc)
Dr Bennett Collins Wednesday 16 September, anytime between 2.00pm - 4.00pm, Edward Wright building, Block C, Room F43
International Finance & Political Relations (MSc)
Prof John Bone Please email: j.bone@abdn.ac.uk
International Political Economy (MSc)
Dr Ritu Vij Individual Induction meeting with Programme Director Friday 18 September, anytime between 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Edward Wright building, Block C, Room F59
International Relations (MSc), International Relations and International Law (MSc), International Relations & Management (MSc)
Dr Ritu Vij Individual Induction meeting with Programme Director Friday 18 September, anytime between 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Edward Wright building, Block C, Room F59
Politics and Public Policy (MSc), Politics, Public Policy & Management (MSc)
Dr Lynn Bennie/Prof Joanne McEvoy Thursday 17 September, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Edward Wright Building, Block C, Room F30
Strategic Studies/Strategic Studies & Int. Law (MSc), Strategic Studies & Management (MSc), Strategic Studies and Energy Security (MSc)
Dr Jim Johnston Wednesday 16 September, 11.00am - 12noon, Edward Wright Building, Room G23
Strategic Studies and Diplomacy (MSc)
Prof Mervyn Bain Thursday 17 September, 2.00pm - 5.00pm, Edward Wright Building, Block C, Room F53
Master of Research in Social Science
Dr Isabella Kasslestrand Please email: isabella.kasselstrand@abdn.ac.uk
Peace & Conflict Studies (MSc)
Prof Gearoid Millar Wednesday 23 September, from 10.00am - 11.00am, Edward Wright Building, Block C, Room F5
Policy Evaluation (MSc)
Prof Gearoid Millar Wednesday 23 September, from 11.00am - 12noon, Edward Wright Building, Block C, Room F5
Sex, Gender, Violence (MSc)
Dr Luisa Gandolfo Wednesday 18 September, from 10.00am - 12noon, Edward Wright Building, Block C, Room F22
Sociology (MSc)
Dr Luisa Gandolfo Wednesday 18 September, from 10.00am - 12noon, Edward Wright Building, Block C, Room F22

Key Contacts in School

For general enquiries related to your course, please email socscipg@abdn.ac.uk.

Anthropology
Professor Martin Mills, Head of Department

PIR
Dr Tom Bentley, Head of Department

Sociology
Dr Chris Kollmeyer, Head of Department

Reading Lists

Reading lists for individual courses will be available through MyAberdeen at the start of term. In the meantime, you can brush up your study skills and learn more about the University at our award-winning Toolkit website.