Introduction
German and Spanish & Latin American Studies at Aberdeen combines two major modern European and global languages, both much used in business, in top-rated teaching programmes. You will add in-depth study of history, art and culture for each language and develop your language skills through spending time in countries where each is spoken. You will have wide, international career options and academic skills which are sought by employers in any sector you choose.
This programme is studied on campus.
You will gain a solid grounding in the German language whatever your level, in a programme with the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in the last national Teaching Quality Assessment.
You will also develop a broad understanding of culture in the German-speaking world, with courses in social, historical and cultural aspects of these countries and encounter the world of German artistic expression in the form of literature, film and art, together with a deeper understanding of Germany’s complex history.
Aberdeen is also rated ‘Excellent’ for study of the Spanish language and the cultural frameworks in countries where it is spoken.
You will be equipped with the skills to communicate in a global language, spoken by 350 million native Spanish speakers in 19 Latin American states, the Spanish Peninsula and increasingly in the US. You will also study historical, anthropological, literary and cultural texts, films and visual culture.
As an integral part of your 4-year programme, you will spend your third year developing your language skills as a teaching assistant or visiting student, with half the year in Germany or Austria and the other half in Spain.
You will graduate with a wide range of career options, using your languages to pursue opportunities in international organisations, business, teaching or tourism, or your highly developed transferable skills which will appeal to employers in options including journalism, marketing, or public sector, for example.
Key Programme Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MA
- Duration
- 60 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- RR24
What You'll Study
- Year 1
-
Year 1
Compulsory Courses
- Professional Skills Part 1 (PD1001)
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This course, which is prescribed for level 1 students and optional for level 2 students, is studied entirely online and covers topics relating to careers and employability, equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing. During the course you will learn about the Aberdeen Graduate Attributes, how they are relevant to you and the opportunities available to develop your skills and attributes alongside your University studies. You will also gain an understanding of equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing issues. Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’ (non-completion will be recorded as ‘Not Achieved’). The course takes approximately 3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks and it will be available to you throughout the academic year.
This course, which is prescribed for level 1 students and optional for level 2 students and above, is studied entirely online and covers topics relating to careers and employability, equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing. During the course you will learn about the Aberdeen Graduate Attributes, how they are relevant to you and the opportunities available to develop your skills and attributes alongside your University studies. You will also gain an understanding of equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing issues. Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’ (non-completion will be recorded as ‘Not Achieved’). The course takes approximately 3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks and it will be available to you throughout the academic year.
- Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
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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.
Optional Courses
Beginner
- Spanish Language 1 (SP1027)
- Spanish Language 2 (SP1528)
- Spain: A Cultural History (SP1535) AND/OR Latin America: A Cultural History (SP1032)
- German for Beginners 1 (GM1054)
- German for Beginners 2 (GM1554)
- Background to German Beginners 2 (GM1549)
- Select further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points
Intermediate
- Spanish Language 2 (SP1028)
- Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)
- Spain: A Cultural History (SP1035) AND/OR Latin America: A Cultural History (SP1536)
- German for Beginners 1 (GM1054)
- German for Beginners 2 (GM1554)
- Background to German Beginners 2 (GM1549)
- Select further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points
Advanced
- Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)
- Spain: A Cultural History (SP1035) AND/OR Latin America: A Cultural History (SP1536)
- German Language 1 (GM1050)
- German Language 2 (GM1550)
- Modern German Culture 1 (GM1052) AND/OR Modern German Culture 2 (GM1556)
- Select further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points
- Spanish Language 1 (SP1027) - 15 Credit Points
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This is a fast-paced and intensive language course for students with very little or no previous knowledge of Spanish who have been allocated onto this course by our diagnostic test. It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Hispanic Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.
- Spanish Language 2 (SP1528) - 15 Credit Points
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This course follows Spanish Language 1 or can be taken by students who have the required level of Spanish as determined by the placement test (see below).
This is a fast-paced language course and It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Hispanic Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.
- Spanish Language 2 (SP1028) - 15 Credit Points
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This is a fast-paced language course for students with some previous knowledge of Spanish who have been allocated onto this course by our diagnostic test. It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Hispanic Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.
- Spanish Language 3 (SP2525) - 15 Credit Points
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This course follows Spanish Language 2 or can be taken by students who have the required level of Spanish as determined by the placement test (see below).
- German for Beginners 1 (GM1054) - 15 Credit Points
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This language course provides students with a sound foundation in German (grammar and vocabulary). It enables students to understand the gist of authentic written and spoken German and to speak and write about familiar topics with a degree of accuracy and fluency.
No previous knowledge of German is required, but this course is also for students which took German at school before, on any level lower than Higher or A-level.
With 3 Language Classes and 1 Language Practical per week this course encourages and supports students to develop their personal self-study strategies.
- German for Beginners 2 (GM1554) - 15 Credit Points
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This language course provides students with a sound foundation in German (grammar and vocabulary). It enables students to understand the gist of authentic written and spoken German and to speak and write about familiar topics with a degree of accuracy and fluency.
No previous knowledge of German is required, but this course is also for students which took German at school before, on any level lower than Higher or A-level.
With 3 Language Classes and 1 Language Practical per week this course encourages and supports students to develop their personal self-study strategies.
- Background to German Beginners 2 (GM1549) - 15 Credit Points
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This course is intended for beginners, wishing to proceed with German Studies beyond level 1. It provides an introduction to selected German Short Stories from the 20th-century, with a particular focus on relating these to their cultural, historical and social context.
- German Language 1 (GM1050) - 15 Credit Points
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This module is designed for students with an SCE H in German or equivalent. The course develops receptive and productive oral and written German language skills. Students who are considering applying for entry to German Honours must take this course.
- German Language 2 (GM1550) - 15 Credit Points
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This module is designed for students with an SCE H in German or equivalent. The course develops receptive and productive oral and written German language skills. Students who are considering applying for entry to German Honours must take this course. The course builds on GM1050.
- Modern German Culture 1 (GM1052) - 15 Credit Points
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Learn more about German 20th-century literature, dealing with the events that shaped German and European history. As in all good literature, we will discuss universal themes and topics covering all of the most important aspects of modern life.
- Modern German Culture 2 (GM1556) - 15 Credit Points
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Learn more about modern German history, culture and literature while also extending your skills in reading German texts.
- Latin America: A Cultural History (SP1032) - 15 Credit Points
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This course will introduce students to Latin American history, culture and society from the pre-Hispanic period to the present through a selection of archaeology, historical and contemporary writings, visual culture and music. All texts studied will be available in English translation.
- Spain: a Cultural History (SP1535) - 15 Credit Points
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This course focuses on cultural history in the Iberian Peninsula, from the early medieval period to the present day. It explores key cultural, social and political questions over the course of Spain's history as they are presented in a variety of written and visual texts, such as contemporaneous accounts, narrative fiction, poetry, film, painting and architecture. All texts studied will be available in English translation.
- Year 2
-
Year 2
Compulsory Courses
- Modern German Culture 3 (GM2043) - 15 Credit Points
-
Learn more about modern German history and culture while also extending your skills in reading German texts.
- Modern German Culture 4 (GM2543) - 15 Credit Points
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This course consists of the study of selected aspects of German culture and involves the close analysis of German texts.
Optional Courses
Beginner
- Spanish Language 3 (SP2025)
- Spanish Language 4 (SP2526)
- Spain: Texts and Contexts (SP2538) AND/OR Latin America: Texts and Contexts (SP2036)
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 1 (GM2040)
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 2 (GM2540)
- Select further credit points to a total of 120 credits
Intermediate/Advanced
- Spanish Language 4 (SP2026)
- Spanish Language 5 (SP2531)
- Spain: Texts and Contexts (SP2036) AND/OR Latin America: Texts and Contexts (SP2538)
- German Language 3 (GM2042)
- German Language 4 (GM2542)
- Select further credit points to a total of 120 credits
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 1 (GM2040) - 15 Credit Points
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The course consists of language classes leading to advanced communicative competence in German and it will include the analysis of contemporary texts drawn from a variety of contexts. This course may be taken only by students who have completed the German for Beginners courses.
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 2 (GM2540) - 15 Credit Points
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The intention of the course is to extend and reinforce further students' command of German grammar, vocabulary and syntactic structures, and to introduce various styles of written and spoken German. The course builds on the work done in GM2040 and is intended only for continuing beginners.
- German Language 3 (GM2042) - 15 Credit Points
-
This level two language course will build on and extend students' fluency and written skills in German.
- German Language 4 (GM2542) - 15 Credit Points
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Building on work done in GM 2042, the course will develop further language skills.
- Spanish Language 3 (SP2025) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course follows Spanish Language 2 or can be taken by students who have the required level of Spanish as determined by the placement test (see below).
- Spanish Language 4 (SP2526) - 15 Credit Points
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This course aims to prepare intending Honours students of Hispanic Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.
The course will develop further Spanish language skills, both receptive and productive. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of audio-visual study and grammatical reinforcement study.
- Spanish Language 4 (SP2026) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course aims to prepare intending Honours students of Hispanic Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.
The course will develop further Spanish language skills, both receptive and productive. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of audio-visual study and grammatical reinforcement study.
- Spanish Language 5 (SP2531) - 15 Credit Points
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This course follows Spanish Language 4 and aims to prepare non beginners intending Honours students of Hispanic Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.
The course will develop further Spanish language skills, expanding on the vocabulary and introducing formal documents and letters. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of vocabulary and grammatical reinforcement study.
- Latin America: Texts and Contexts (SP2036) - 15 Credit Points
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This course uses texts, which can include plays, films, novels, music, letters and an etiquette guide, to understand issues, concerns and themes in Latin American history. The course is organised chronologically and each week classes focus on texts from a particular country as a means to discuss bigger questions, such as how to make a new nation after three hundred years of colonial rule and a decade of warfare, how to demonstrate your honourability in an anonymous city and what cultural models are the best source of inspiration. The course also focuses on 'context' shared throughout Latin America.
- Spain: Texts and Contexts (SP2538) - 15 Credit Points
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This course takes a broad look at different texts spanning from the late 15th century to the present day. We will study these texts in the original language but with the help of English translations, providing a smooth introduction into reading Spanish language literature. The first half of the course concentrates on the late medieval and early modern eras, through two highly entertaining texts: Celestina and Life Is Dream. The second half concentrates on the 20th century through a combination of poetry, short fiction and film.
- Year 3
-
Year 3
Compulsory Courses
- Residence Abroad Project (SP30AB) - 15 Credit Points
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The aim of the Residence Abroad Project is to develop an in-depth understanding of a specific aspect (anthropological, political or cultural) connected with one of the Hispanic countries in which students are staying. Students are expected to study a topic in its socio-and to complete a report in Spanish of c. 2000-2500 words.
- Year 4
-
Year 4
Compulsory Courses
- German Junior Honours Language Study (GM3069) - 15 Credit Points
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This junior honours language course will build on and extend students' written skills and fluency in German.
- Spanish Language 6 (SP30A3) - 15 Credit Points
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This is a core prescribed course open only to Junior Honours Hispanic Studies students and a selected range of other programmes at the appropriate level. This course aims to enable you to identify and use, accurately, fluently, and with an appropriate level of sophistication, a range of vocabulary and linguistic registers at advanced level.
Optional Courses
- Plus 45 credits of German courses at level 3
- Plus 45 credits of Level 3 Spanish and Latin American Studies courses
- Year 5
-
Year 5
Compulsory Courses
- German Language Study for Senior Honours (GM4099) - 30 Credit Points
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Building on the skills gained during the Junior Honours language course and before, this module expands and refines German language expertise in writing, reading, speaking and listening, to an advanced level, for their final exit written and oral exam in German.
- Spanish Language 7 (SP40A5) - 30 Credit Points
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This is the final Spanish language course within the degree that will provide students with advanced comprehension and writing skills in general and specialised registers including translation.
Optional Courses
Option 1
- Dissertation in German (GM4052)
- Plus further courses in Level 4 German to make up 60 credits in the discipline
- Plus further courses in Level 4 Spanish and Latin American Studies to make up 60 credits in the discipline
Option 2
- Dissertation in Hispanic Studies (SP039)
- Plus further courses in Level 4 German to make up 60 credits in the discipline
- Plus further courses in Level 4 Spanish and Latin American Studies to make up 60 credits in the discipline
- German Dissertation (Joint Honours) (GM4052) - 15 Credit Points
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Students engage in their first larger project of independent research.
- Dissertation in Spanish (SP4039) - 30 Credit Points
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This year-long course unit combines dissertation research with research methods training. The dissertation is a piece of extended independent research (8,000-10,000 words long), structured as a critical evaluation, analysis or argument, about a topic germane to Spanish and Latin American Studies. The topic is chosen by the student, in conjunction with the dissertation coordinator and an individual Departmental supervisor, both of whom approve the topic. Students are encouraged to design their topic building on their previous studies, especially honours courses. The dissertation offers a chance for students to carry out in-depth independent study in Spanish and Latin American Studies, and to acquire and develop valuable research skills. The course begins, in the first half session, with workshops on diverse research methods and the creation of peer support groups. The second half session includes structured meetings with the dissertation supervisor and meetings with the peer support group, as well as independent research and writing.
Course Availability
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
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.
Further Information
- View detailed learning and assessment information for this programme
-
How the programme is taught
The typical time spent in scheduled learning activities (lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals), independent self-study or placement is shown for each year of the programme based on the most popular course choices selected by students.
How the programme is assessed
The typical percentage of assessment methods broken down by written examination, coursework or practical exams is shown for each year of the programme based on the most popular course choices selected by students.
Year 1
Learning Method
scheduled: 22%
independent: 78%
placement: 0%
Assessment
written: 34%
coursework: 61%
practical: 5%
Year 2
Learning Method
scheduled: 22%
independent: 78%
placement: 0%
Assessment
written: 45%
coursework: 43%
practical: 12%
Year 3
Learning Method
scheduled: 0%
independent: 0%
placement: 100%
Assessment
written: 0%
coursework: 0%
practical: 0%
Year 4
Learning Method
scheduled: 16%
independent: 84%
placement: 0%
Assessment
written: 36%
coursework: 61%
practical: 3%
Year 5
Learning Method
scheduled: 18%
independent: 82%
placement: 0%
Assessment
written: 24%
coursework: 70%
practical: 6%
Why Study German and Spanish & Latin American Studies?
Why German
- The highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in the last Scottish national Teaching Quality Assessment.
- A vibrant international community on campus and across the region, with many German-speaking students, staff and activities to get involved in and practise your language skills.
- German Society open to all students interested in German and the German-speaking countries, organising drama performances and other events such as Kaffee and Kuchen, a German Stammtisch, film showings, and visits by German speakers and writers.
- German Drama Group providing a great opportunity to produce an annual play, widen your language skills and meet other German students studying in Aberdeen. Previous years included works of 20th century dramatists Dürrenmatt, Borchert and Horvath.
- Opportunities to study the rich literature and culture of Austria and Switzerland in addition to Germany.
- A packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, seminars, invited speakers and the popular annual May Festival which welcomes international figures, experts, authors and scientists to campus every spring, with an increasingly European flavour.
- Your period abroad as a language assistant or visiting student - we have exchange scholarships with the Universities of Zurich, Kiel and Greifswald, and Erasmus partners including Leipzig, Cologne, Bonn, Trier and Graz in Austria.
- The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with fabulous study facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and an extensive German collection to inspire your studies.
Why Spanish & Latin American Studies
- A subject scoring the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in the last Scottish national Teaching Quality Assessment.
- The opportunity to study visual culture, literature, history, politics and anthropology in relation to Spain and/or Latin America.
- Special areas of research expertise include 20th century Spain, contemporary and historical Mexico, visual culture, gender studies, history of science in Latin America, and studies of citizenship and society.
- Multicultural north-east Scotland, with many Spanish speakers working or studying in this region due to its role as a world centre for oil and gas.
- The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with top-class study facilities, state-of-the-art learning technology, and extensive Spanish and Latin American works to inspire your studies.
- A packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, film showings, and the annual May Festival which welcomes international figures, experts, writers and scientists to campus every spring, including authors writing in Spanish.
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
- 2019 Entry
- 2020 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard Offer: AABB - BBB
Applicants who have achieved between AABB - BBB are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers / Advanced Highers may be required in order to receive an offer of admission.Adjusted / Access Threshold: BB (or below)
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one or more Widening Participation criteria, are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers / Advanced Highers will be required in order to receive an offer of admission.More information on our definition of Standard, Adjusted and Access Threshold entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard offer: BBB
Adjusted / Access Threshold: BB (or below)
More information on our definition of Standard, Adjusted and Access Threshold entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 OR AAABB, obtained in a single sitting. (B must be at B2 or above)
-
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBB
Minimum: BBC
Adjusted: CCC
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 OR AAABB, obtained in a single sitting. (B must be at B2 or above).
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.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 54 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 51; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
International Applicants
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
Fee Waiver
For international students (all non-EU students) the tuition fee charged upon entry will apply to all years of study; however, most international students will be eligible for a fee waiver in their final year via the International Undergraduate Scholarship (2019 entry only).
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home / EU | £1,820 |
| All Students | |
| RUK | £9,250 |
| Students Admitted in 2019/20 | |
| International Students | £15,300 |
| Students Admitted in 2019/20 |
International non-EU Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Our 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 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 Service
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Unistats
Unistats 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 Service
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX