Introduction
Economics and Legal Studies at Aberdeen is a great combination, adding to your solid grounding in economics, business, management and organisations with a deeper focus on the legal framework within which businesses of all sizes operate. You will gain highly developed analytical and intellectual skills to add to your knowledge of how the global economy works and a head start for a career in international business or many other options.
In Economics, you will explore the microeconomics of business and society, macroeconomics of the world economy and economic problems in political, social and historical contexts, with a strong emphasis on applied learning.
You will thrive in the dynamic, international environment of our Business School of 45 nationalities and be taught by experts including leading petroleum economist and government adviser Professor Alex Kemp and our health economists whose work influences Scottish and UK policy decisions on public health.
Aberdeen Law School has an outstanding reputation, ranked 12th in the UK out of more than 90 law schools, positioned in the top five for graduate prospects and scores an impressive 95% for student satisfaction.
You will add value to your studies in economics by studying what law teaches us about a society, exploring commercial law, government and law, European and international law, and topical issues including human rights within the EU.
Studying law develops important academic qualities including clear, careful and independent thinking, adding value to your education in economics and extending your already-bright career opportunities in business, public sector, international organisations, local and national government service, marketing and much more.
What You'll Study
- Year 1
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Year 1: Compulsory Courses
- Academic Writing for Business (AW1003)
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This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it. If you pass the evaluation at the first assessment it will not take much of your time. If you do not, you will be provided with resources to help you improve. This evaluation does not carry credits but if you do not complete it this will be recorded on your degree transcript.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
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This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Foundations of Private Law (LS1022)
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15 Credit Points
The course provides firstly a map of private law as drawn from the institutional scheme of classical Roman law as still followed today in Scotland. It then progresses to an equivalent of the medical student’s study of anatomy in the sense that, concentrating on the law of property and obligations, it examines the main concepts of private law and how they interact and operate together so as to provide a sophisticated body of legal principles which can be used to resolve real-life disputes within private law.
- The Economics of Business and Society (EC1006)
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15 Credit Points
This course is an introductory course in microeconomics where we study the decision making of individual actors (consumers, employees, firms, governments, etc.) in an economy. Actors must make decisions about behaviours because they face scarce resources, but often they find that trading with other actors in markets can increase the wellbeing of all parties. This course models and examines the nature of these interactions, highlighting when they work well and when they fail to increase wellbeing and what might be the solution to these failures.
- The Global Economy (EC1506)
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15 Credit Points
This course is an introductory course in macroeconomics where we study the behaviour of the economy as a whole. Whereas microeconomics focuses on individual markets, macroeconomics addresses the “big issues” such as unemployment, inflation, economic growth, and financial crises. Macroeconomics is a lively subject, full of discussion and debate, as economists and policymakers take different views on macroeconomic issues, their causes and appropriate policy responses. Issues such as: Is the economy growing? What causes unemployment and how can we reduce it? How can we avoid recessions? When is inflation a problem? Are banks lending too much?
Year 1: Optional Courses
Select 30 credit points from the below courses, plus 30 credit points from non-LS courses of choice.
NOTE: It may not be possible to combine every one of these options with the compulsory courses in the candidate’s other subject due to timetabling constraints.
Students must check the necessary pre-requisites before registering for optional LS or LX courses – please refer to the Course Catalogue online.
- Criminal Law (LS1020)
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15 Credit Points
This course is a compulsory course on the LLB degree introducing students to Scottish criminal law including its sources and current law. It examines various aspects of substantive law including crimes against the person, crimes of dishonesty, crimes against property, and criminal defences enabling students to understand and apply the law in these areas. The course also develops students’ written, verbal and analytical skills utilising written coursework and problem-solving exercises in tutorial groups and a workshop.
- A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)
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15 Credit Points
This course presents legal history over several millennia and from many different original cultures. This course carries the student through a legal adventure, exploring a wide range of legal systems around the globe and throughout human history.
The course covers the origins of law from Africa, South Asia, East Asia and beyond. From those beginnings, it traces how legal cultures emerged, evolved, or transformed. The course will explore the interplay of law and religion over the centuries. The goal of the course is to enable students to become aware of the wonderful diversity of legal systems before the Era of Exploration.
- Contract (LS1520)
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15 Credit Points
Contract is one of the central subjects of private law and is one of the main branches of the law of obligations, the other being Delict and Unjustified Enrichment. Contract Law covers obligations which are voluntary in nature. Every day we make contracts from buying a newspaper to buying a house. Contract Law is an area where Scots law and English law are very similar, and this course will cover Scots contract law but also highlight where English law differs with the aim of giving students a working knowledge of contract in both countries.
- Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)
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15 Credit Points
The common law tradition is one of the major legal traditions of the world. This course briefly introduces students to the conceptual and institutional structures of the common law tradition. This, in turn, introduces the fundamentals of the modern English legal system and its practical operation. A large section of the course then turns to the practical operation of English law through study of English Criminal Law.
- Delict and Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to two of the key branches of the Scots law of obligations, namely delict (which governs legal liability for situations such as the negligent infliction of harm upon others and defamation) and unjustified enrichment (which is concerned with questions such as, if I pay you money in error, am I entitled to demand that you return it?).
- UK Constitutional Law (LS1537)
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15 Credit Points
This course is an introduction to the laws and rules of the UK Constitution. Major topics include the institutions of state, parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and devolution. This area of law is fast-moving, and an effort is made to address current issues.
- Year 2
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Year 2: Compulsory Courses
- Intermediate Microeconomics (EC2003)
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30 Credit Points
This course builds on and is a natural extension of EC 1006. By examining in a more rigorous way concepts introduced in EC 1006 students will develop further their analytical skills and they will obtain a better understanding of consumers and producers behaviour, market structure as well as the effectiveness of economic policy. The course is designed to appeal to all students interested in economics. This includes students who may wish not to enter into any further studies of economics, as well as students who may wish to continue studying economics at the honours level.
- Intermediate Macroeconomics (EC2503)
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30 Credit Points
This course focuses on macroeconomic policy in a global economy. The first part builds an open-economy Keynesian model to investigate what determines the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policies, and how exchange rate regimes and capital mobility impact on policy effectiveness. The second part investigates what determines the level of macroeconomic activity and its growth over time. The final part looks at what determines inflation and unemployment. This intermediate level course uses live lectures to develop your analytical skills evaluating economic policy in a rigorous and technical way to equip you with the skills needed for honours level study.
- Building Skills and Experience for Career Success (PD2002)
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This course, which is designed for level 2 students and above, is studied entirely online. Topics include career planning, finding work experience and articulating your skills and experiences in applications and interviews. Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’. The course takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Year 2: Optional Courses
Select a further 60 credit points from applicable Legal Studies courses.
NOTE: It may not be possible to combine every one of these options with the compulsory courses in the candidate’s other subject due to timetabling constraints.
Students must check the necessary pre-requisites before registering for optional LS or LX courses – please refer to the Course Catalogue online.
- Criminal Law (LS1020)
-
15 Credit Points
This course is a compulsory course on the LLB degree introducing students to Scottish criminal law including its sources and current law. It examines various aspects of substantive law including crimes against the person, crimes of dishonesty, crimes against property, and criminal defences enabling students to understand and apply the law in these areas. The course also develops students’ written, verbal and analytical skills utilising written coursework and problem-solving exercises in tutorial groups and a workshop.
- A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)
-
15 Credit Points
This course presents legal history over several millennia and from many different original cultures. This course carries the student through a legal adventure, exploring a wide range of legal systems around the globe and throughout human history.
The course covers the origins of law from Africa, South Asia, East Asia and beyond. From those beginnings, it traces how legal cultures emerged, evolved, or transformed. The course will explore the interplay of law and religion over the centuries. The goal of the course is to enable students to become aware of the wonderful diversity of legal systems before the Era of Exploration.
- Eu Institutions and Law (LS2026)
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15 Credit Points
This course examines the law of the European Union and its evolving relationship with the legal systems of the United Kingdom. Students will explore the composition and function of the EU institutions, the sources and effects of EU law, state liability, and judicial review, alongside key substantive areas such as human rights, the fundamental freedoms, and competition law. Throughout, particular attention is paid to how the relationship between the UK and EU legal systems continues to develop in the wake of Brexit.
- The Law of Property (LS2031)
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15 Credit Points
This compulsory LLB course is all about things. What items can you own? How do you become owner of property? What can you do as an owner of property? What can you do with the property of other people? And so on. An understanding of Scots property law is crucial to markets, commerce and domestic life. This course will give students a broad overview of the regulation of land, moveable items and incorporeal rights like intellectual property in Scotland.
- Public International Law (LS2032)
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15 Credit Points
The course aims to systematically and critically introduce the foundations of Public International Law (PIL). The history, nature, legal personality, statehood and recognition, sources, the law of treaties and how PIL interacts with domestic law are considered in-depth. These are followed by topics such as jurisdiction, sovereignty, the role of the United Nations, the law of state responsibility and peaceful settlement of disputes between states. The contents of the course are designed to enable students to understand why and how international law regulates the behaviour of its actors with respect to some specific subject areas.
- Administrative Law and Civil Liberties (LS2033)
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15 Credit Points
This course will examine in detail both administrative law and civil liberties under the constitution of the United Kingdom. Major topics include judicial review (scope, standing and grounds), administrative justice, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, common law rights, and equality law. This area is fast-moving, and an effort is made to address current issues.
- Contract (LS1520)
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15 Credit Points
Contract is one of the central subjects of private law and is one of the main branches of the law of obligations, the other being Delict and Unjustified Enrichment. Contract Law covers obligations which are voluntary in nature. Every day we make contracts from buying a newspaper to buying a house. Contract Law is an area where Scots law and English law are very similar, and this course will cover Scots contract law but also highlight where English law differs with the aim of giving students a working knowledge of contract in both countries.
- Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)
-
15 Credit Points
The common law tradition is one of the major legal traditions of the world. This course briefly introduces students to the conceptual and institutional structures of the common law tradition. This, in turn, introduces the fundamentals of the modern English legal system and its practical operation. A large section of the course then turns to the practical operation of English law through study of English Criminal Law.
- Delict and Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to two of the key branches of the Scots law of obligations, namely delict (which governs legal liability for situations such as the negligent infliction of harm upon others and defamation) and unjustified enrichment (which is concerned with questions such as, if I pay you money in error, am I entitled to demand that you return it?).
- UK Constitutional Law (LS1537)
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15 Credit Points
This course is an introduction to the laws and rules of the UK Constitution. Major topics include the institutions of state, parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and devolution. This area of law is fast-moving, and an effort is made to address current issues.
- Commercial Organisations and Insolvency (LS2525)
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15 Credit Points
This course is compulsory for LLB students. It consists of various elements split broadly into three parts: (1) the law of agency and the law of partnership; (2) company law; and (3) debt and insolvency law. The lectures will focus on the creation of agency, partnership and companies of different types; the rules that enable these commercial organisations to function; and the law concerning the termination of these commercial organisations, particularly due to insolvency.
- Family Law (LS2526)
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15 Credit Points
Family Law is a compulsory course for LLB students. During this course, students will be introduced to the key facets of the law governing the formation of adult relationships, including the constitution of marriage and civil partnership, legal rights and duties of spouses and civil partners, same sex marriage, the grounds for divorce and the financial aspects of breakdown of marriage and relationships of cohabitation. This course also focuses on the relationship between children and adults and the legal rights of children, including parental rights and responsibilities, court orders relating to children and the welfare principle.
- Introduction to Legal Theory (LS2527)
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7.5 Credit Points
This course is an introduction to some of the basic themes and skills linked to learning and doing legal theory. It aims to introduce students to some philosophical tools, concepts, and methods to be able to understand theoretical analysis of the law and legal issues more generally. The course presents these themes and skills, shows some central discussions in the law and legal literature that apply those skills and themes, and then ask students to try using the skills in their tutorial work.
- Succession and Trusts (LS2528)
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7.5 Credit Points
Students studying for the Aberdeen LLB are required to take this course if they wish to use their degree to enter the Scottish legal profession. The course will examine both testate and intestate succession, in the context of the general principles of the law of succession, including legal rights. Furthermore, it will introduce the functions of trusts, the rights of beneficiaries and the powers and duties of trustees. The course is available only to LLB students in Programme year 2 or above and graduates on the 2 year degree.
- Private International Law (LS2532)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces the student to the three core questions of Private International Law:
- Jurisdiction: when do the Scottish courts have jurisdiction over a dispute that has one or more cross-border elements?
- Applicable law: which country’s law is applicable to cross-border legal relations and disputes?
- Recognition and enforcement of judgments: what are the effects of foreign judgments in Scotland?
Throughout the course, students will develop an understanding of how Scots Private International Law addresses legal relations that extend beyond Scotland’s borders. It equips students with the analytical tools needed to resolve complex legal questions arising from cross-border disputes.Students will explore the vital role Private International Law plays in a diverse range of contexts, including – but not limited to - litigation involving the civil liability of Scottish corporations for wrongdoings committed overseas (such as labour rights violations), consumer protection cases, international child abduction, and cross-border inheritance matters.
This is an exempting course for the Faculty of Advocates exam on Private International Law.
- Business Law (LS2533)
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15 Credit Points
This course is designed to provide non-LLB students with an understanding of the main issues in business law. Topics will cover elements of the Scottish law and legal system concerning Company Law, Partnership, Employment Law, Agency, Contract Law, Delict, Intellectual Property Law and Regulatory Provisions against Fraud, Bribery, and Corruption.
- Introduction to Comparative Law (LS2536)
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7.5 Credit Points
This foundational course introduces students to the basic ideas, themes and insights of comparative law. The first part of the course focuses on the various concepts and methods that legal and other scholars have used to analyse differences and similarities between legal rules across nations and cultures. It also introduces students to various efforts to map and explain legal diversity across the globe (legal families and traditions, including the civil, common, mixed and other traditions). The second half of the course includes a range of case studies to showcase how the comparative method can be used in different areas of the law and across nations and regions.
- Tort in A Comparative Context (LS2537)
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7.5 Credit Points
The aim of this course, open to students who have already studied the Scots law of delict (and compulsory for those on the ‘Law with English Law’ programme), is to extend their knowledge of the law governing civil liability. More particularly, it aims to provide knowledge and understanding of the conceptual structure of the English law of torts in comparison with the corresponding branch of Scots law, and deals in detail with a few specific areas of tort liability, such as trespass, occupiers’ liability and nuisance.
- Year 3
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Year 3: Optional Courses
NOTE: Students are required to have exactly 240 credits at levels 3 and 4, at least 210 of which must be EC or LX coded, and normally no more than 120 credits from either discipline. At least 90 credits must be at level 4.
Select 60 credit points from level 3 courses in Economics, plus 60 credit points from Legal Studies LX Honours courses listed below:
- LX403Q - Contemporary Issues in Energy Law (30 Credit Points)
- Year 4
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Year 4: Compulsory Courses
Select one of the following dissertation courses:
- Economics Dissertation (EC4526)
- Dissertation in Legal Studies (LX4025)
- Dissertation (LX4025)
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30 Credit Points
This course allows you to write a 10,000-word piece on an aspect of law that you choose. You will be assigned a member of staff who is an expert in your chosen subject area and who will provide guidance on your topic, research plan, and writing progress.
The course runs over both half sessions and is available only to final-year Honours students. Once your topic and plan are approved by the Law School, you will work independently and submit your dissertation shortly before the Easter break.
- Economics Dissertation (EC4526)
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30 Credit Points
The dissertation presents students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and research skills of Economics to an individual piece of research, focusing on a topic which has been chosen by the student and approved by the Dissertation coordinator and Dissertation supervisor. Over the course of the Dissertation, with guidance from the supervisor, the student will study a particular topic, conduct a literature review of relevant material, select appropriate theoretical and/or empirical methods to address the topic and write a final analysis in the form of the Dissertation of up to 10,000 words.
Year 4: Optional Courses
Plus select further credit points from level 4 courses in Economics and Legal Studies, to gain a total of 60 credit points in each discipline.
Students are required to have exactly 240 credits at levels 3 and 4, at least 210 of which must be EC or LX coded, and normally no more than 120 credits from either discipline. At least 90 credits must be at level 4.
Plus select further credit points from level 4 courses in Economics and Legal Studies, to gain a total of 60 credit points in each discipline.
- LX403Q - Contemporary Issues in Energy Law (30 Credit Points)
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
- Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
- Written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Economics and Legal Studies?
- An excellent teaching environment, committed to the needs of industry, which integrates research into teaching, enables transferable skills and develops intellectual skills on a range of contemporary economic problems.
- ACREEF (the Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance) headed by leading international petroleum economist Professor Alex Kemp, adviser to the Scottish Government.
- CELMR (the Centre for European Labour Market Research) leading research in education, skills and labour markets so topical today.
- Benefit from professional training facilities such as the Bloomberg finance lab which is used by major financial services companies across the world and integrating real activity in financial markets directly into our students’ courses.
- A thriving Economics Society, organising annual trips to international economic institutions including the European Union in Brussels, the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris
- With a community of over 130 nationalities at the University of Aberdeen, students are immersed in an environment that enables international discourse creating truly global exchanges, generating deep insights that spark innovative change.
Interested in this programme?
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2026 Entry
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SQA Highers
Standard: BBBB
Applicants that present with BBBB will usually receive an unconditional offer.
Where we have more applicants than places we may need to ask for more than the minimum so continued engagement in school is recommended.
Widening Access: BBC
Applicants who meet one or more of our widening access metrics and present with BBC, are guaranteed an unconditional offer.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
Note: We do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B grade at Advanced Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher.
National 5 English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C or above. National 5 Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics (or equivalent) is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBC
Widening Access: CCC
GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes.
BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA
DMM in related subjects.
Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.)
GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes.
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE
Five subjects at Higher at H3.
O4 in Mathematics is also required.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
SL in English and SL in Mathematics are also required.
- 2027 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: BBBB
Applicants that present with BBBB will usually receive an unconditional offer.
Where we have more applicants than places we may need to ask for more than the minimum so continued engagement in school is recommended.
Widening Access: BBC
Applicants who meet one or more of our widening access metrics and present with BBC, are guaranteed an unconditional offer.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
Note: We do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B grade at Advanced Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher.
National 5 English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C or above. National 5 Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics (or equivalent) is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBC
Widening Access: CCC
GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes.
BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA
DMM in related subjects.
Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.)
GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes.
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE
Five subjects at Higher at H3.
O4 in Mathematics is also required.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
SL in English and SL in Mathematics are also required.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Arts and Social Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
- EU / International students
-
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £20,800
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)
- £14,800
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The above fee includes the £6,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.
- Home Students
-
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £1,820
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland
-
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £9,790
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The UK Government has confirmed that the RUK fee cap will continue to increase each year to reflect inflation. Tuition fees will increase in line with the Government fee cap each year, and this should be taken into account when budgeting.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.
Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.
- More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen
- More information on the Careers and Employability Service
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
Discover Uni
Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX