European Exchange

2025/2026

View our European Exchange Information Sheet 2025-2026 with all our most pertinent facts and figures.

2026/2027

View our European Exchange Information Sheet 2026-2027 with all our most pertinent facts and figures.

Entry Requirements

To study at Aberdeen as a European exchange student, the University requires:

• 60 ECTS passed at point of commencement of study
• An official academic transcript
• Evidence of English language proficiency for non-native English speakers

How to Apply

If you are a student from a partner university, you will be provided a link to our online application form after you have been nominated by your home university. If your home university does not have an agreement with the University of Aberdeen, please consult our International Exchange and Study Abroad page for more information.

The deadlines for receipt of completed applications are as follows:

• Academic Year: (September - May) 15 May
• First Term: (September - December) 15 May
• Second Term: (January - May) 15 October

Application Guide

For guidance on our application process we encourage all applicants to consult our Application Guide. This will set out all the necessary steps before commencing your studies with us, from application through to course registration.

Credits

Students at the University of Aberdeen are expected to take 60 Aberdeen credits per term, or 120 credits over the course of the academic year. However students need to take a minimum of 46 credits per term to be classified as a full time registered student, and are allowed to take up to a maximum of 75 credits in a single term.

One University of Aberdeen credit represents what you are expected to achieve in 10 'notional hours' of learning time, which refers to the time that you will spend both in the classroom and in private study. You may find that the number of contact teaching hours in Aberdeen is less than at your home institution, as UK universities tend to place larger importance on self-study.

Please note, the University of Aberdeen credit system is double that of ECTS. For example, 15 Aberdeen credits corresponds to 7.5 ECTS, etc.

Discipline Requirements

Any exchange student attending via a discipline specific bilateral agreement will be required to select ay least 50% of their courses from the School of the Inter-Institutional Agreement between your home institution and University of Aberdeen. You may choose the remainder from our wide range of courses, subject to previous experience, availability and timetabling.

Course Availability

Our course catalogue lists our available courses, grouped by subject discipline. Typically, courses at Level 1 and 2 are open to incoming students without prior study of the subject, while courses at Level 3 and 4 require evidence of prior study as noted in the course catalogue.

As the catalogue updates each summer, applicants are encouraged to consider the current course availability when exploring study options with us. While there may be some changes before you arrive for your studies, as there would be at any institution, we expect the current catalogue to be broadly reflective of the courses which will be available.

Course Restrictions

While the majority of courses in Aberdeen are open to exchange and study abroad students, please be aware that there are a small selection which are unavailable. The full list of restricted courses can be found in our factsheet linked above. Restrictions apply to all incoming students regardless of whether they are currently studying at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Limited Course Availability

Some course options, particularly at honours (level 3 and 4) have a limited number of places. This does not prohibit students from registering, but be advised that students will be entered into an electronic randomizer, along with Aberdeen degree students, to determine enrolment. We cannot provide an exhaustive list, but you can find a selection of courses regularly close to capacity in our factsheet linked above and for your convenience we have provided course lists below for disciplines which have more acute restrictions.

• English Course Options 2026-27 
• Education course options without in-school placement 2026-27

Lastly, students only studying in term 1 cannot take Level 4 courses from the School of Medical Sciences, unless given prior approval, as these are usually assessed in May.

Tuition

Students from universities which have an exchange agreement with the University of Aberdeen will not be charged tuition fees. Otherwise, students should consult our International Exchange & Study Abroad page for the latest tuition fee rates.

Living Costs

UK Visas and Immigration indicate that students spending the academic year should have a minimum of £1171 for each month that they will spend in the United Kingdom. Although no official advice is given for students only spending one term, we would also suggest that they budget for a minimum of £1171 per month for living expenses. A further breakdown of estimated costs can be found below (for illustrative purposes only):

* Based on available University of Aberdeen accommodation

** Subject to requirements of discipline

Student Housing

All incoming exchange and study abroad students are guaranteed a place in student accommodation. Students will be emailed information on how to apply once they are accepted in to the programme.

Most exchange and study abroad students are housed in our Hillhead Student Village. Our accommodation is self-catered and normally consists of single study bedrooms, with common areas which are shared with roommates.

You can find more information on University of Aberdeen housing here

Academic Calendar

The University of Aberdeen's Academic Calendar, including term dates and exclusions, can be found here.

Go Abroad Team

University of Aberdeen
University Office (Room 16)
Regent Walk
Aberdeen, AB24 3FX

T: +44 (0)1224 272041 or +44 (0)1224 272625
E: goabroad.incoming@abdn.ac.uk