Undergraduate Subject Areas

Undergraduate Subject Areas

Accountancy

Accountancy at Aberdeen gives you thorough grounding in theory, practice and business skills, taught by experts in accounting practice, with the advantage of real-life employers and scenarios integrated in to your programme. You will gain a path to professional accreditation, and the skills, experience and attributes to give you a head start whether you aim for chartered accountancy or another option in the fast-moving world of business and finance.

Anthropology

Anthropology at Aberdeen includes the study of the diversity of human communities and cultures around the world. It brings together theories about ‘being human’ from a wide range of Western and non-Western thinkers to understand human action, culture and thought, as studied through long-term international research with the communities themselves.

Aberdeen is ranked 1st in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction in Anthropology (NSS 2024) and ranked 4th in the UK for Anthropology and Archaeology (Guardian, 2024)

Archaeology

Archaeology is a diverse and wide-ranging discipline that spans the humanities and physical sciences and is unique in exploring the human past in its entirety. In seeking to understand how ancient people lived their lives, structured their world, and engaged with their environment, archaeologists ask the big questions that can provide us with the tools to tackle global challenges in the present.

Ranked 3rd in the UK for Archaeology and Anthropology, Guardian 2025

Art History

Art History at Aberdeen provides the opportunity to study the art of all periods in Europe and America - architecture, sculpture, drawing, painting, print, and decorative and industrial arts - at a University steeped in 500 years of social and artistic development and rated top in Scotland for the impact of the work of its Art History researchers.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry attempts to understand the complex array of molecules and their interactions which come together to create all living things.

Our state-of-the-art Science Teaching Hub provides high-tech teaching labs and research grade equipment to support your learning. The digitally focused environment allows you to gain sought after skills to help you thrive in the workplace.

Single Honours

Biomedical Sciences

The primary goal of Biomedical Science is to enhance understanding of human body function in health and disease.

We are ranked 2nd in the UK for Anatomy and Physiology in the The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025!

Business Management

Business Management at Aberdeen explores the theory and practice of how people and organisations are managed in a highly competitive global business environment, taught by leaders in this highly topical field. You will benefit from real-life scenarios and the input of national and local employers, giving you the skills, experience and attributes for a head start across a wide range of careers in the international business world.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering integrates chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology to design and develop the processes behind nearly every product from foods to fuels. This is achieved by changing the chemical, physical, and/or biochemical states of substances.

If you have a fascination for how the world works how chemical reactions and the physical properties of matter can be harnessed to create world-changing technologies, then you should consider chemical engineering.

Chemistry

Chemistry is central to our understanding of virtually every aspect of modern life, from the food we eat and the air we breathe, to the medicines we take and the energy we use to power our homes, cars and phones.

You will be taught in the brand new Science Teaching Hub to use advanced instrumentation by internationally recognised experts in material, biomolecular and environmental chemistry to help create sustainable solutions to the many challenges we face today, such as food and water security, environmental protection, climate change and clean energy.

  • We are ranked 7th in the…

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is all about the environment and infrastructure that makes up the modern world. Civil Engineers design, build and maintain our roads, railways, airports, dams, industrial facilities, power stations, coastal protection and harbour works, hospitals, sports stadiums and much more.

If you are interested in making lasting, positive improvements to society, in sustainable design for the protection of the natural environment on land or at sea, in improving the quality of life for millions of people using novel building techniques and materials, then civil engineering is an excellent choice.

Computing

Are you excited by the possibilities of quantum computing, blockchain, encryption, data science, machine learning and other emerging AI technologies that have been making headlines recently, such as ChatGPT?

A degree in Computing offers excellent career prospects across a wide variety of exciting sectors from e-commerce and fintech to healthcare and telecommunications.

Computing Science

Are you excited by the possibilities of quantum computing, blockchain, encryption, data science, machine learning and other emerging AI technologies that have been making headlines recently, such as ChatGPT?

A degree in Computing Science offers excellent career prospects across a wide variety of exciting sectors from e-commerce and fintech to healthcare and telecommunications.

Counselling Skills

Counselling skills improves your communication skills, engages your personal development and provides you with a validated qualification.

Non-Honours

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Major-Minor Honours

Dentistry

Designed specifically for graduates, the BDS degree focuses on independent and reflective learning, with practical clinical teaching introduced early in the first year to maximise your clinical experience.

Divinity

Divinity at Aberdeen focuses on the study of the Christian faith and tradition in the context of its history, institutions and its role today. Whether you have a personal, vocational or intellectual interest in learning more about the Christian faith, or want to explore the world's major religions, Aberdeen is the place for you. You will gain accreditation with the Church of Scotland and great transferable skills which open a wide range of career options, in addition to ministry.

Education

Primary Education at Aberdeen produces creative, motivated and highly-skilled primary teachers confident to work with children in any educational setting. You will benefit from flexibility, opportunity, research, new tools, exceptional staff, and placements ranging from schools on remote Scottish islands to the urban environment of big cities as you become equipped to inspire and guide young minds in the 21st century.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) is fundamental to modern society, encompassing everything from advanced computer systems and digital circuits to photonics and cutting-edge technologies like automated cars, robotics, medical equipment, and the next generation of mobile data transmission.

Engineering

Engineering is a broad subject, encompassing many different activities across various fields of human endeavour. While engineers work in many different industries, from aerospace and automotive to energy and medicine, all engineers use creativity to design solutions to the problems we face in the world today.

  • General Engineering at Aberdeen is ranked 12th in the UK and 1st in Scotland by The Guardian’s Best UK Universities, 2021.

Finance

Finance at Aberdeen gives you a powerful understanding of the principles of finance in a fast-moving global setting, and the business skills to take advantage of the many opportunities available to sought-after Aberdeen graduates across business and public sector, expected to grow further with the increasing number of innovations in the financial world.

French

French at Aberdeen has a long-standing reputation for teaching and research that covers the Francophone world. Our experts are recognised internationally for their work on French & Francophone culture, politics, society and history. You can study our undergraduate language courses at all levels and specialise in topics on film, contemporary civilisation, history and culture. You can combine French & Francophone Studies with almost any other subject to tailor your degree to suit your needs and interests.

Joint Honours

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Joint Honours

Major-Minor Honours

Geography

Geography is key to understanding and resolving many of the most pressing problems faced by society, including climate change, poverty, energy transitions, sustainable development and environmental conservation. Our degree programmes reflect these modern-day challenges, with core and optional courses aimed at producing highly skilled graduates who can think critically and develop solutions to tackle these problems.

Geology and Geophysics

Geologists study the Earth’s interior, crust, oceans and atmosphere to tackle the major scientific and environmental challenges such as climate change, natural hazards, natural resources and energy transition.

Earth Sciences at the University of Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction in the 2024 National Student Survey, with an overall positivity measure of 100%.

Single Honours

Joint Honours

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Major-Minor Honours

German

German at Aberdeen has an outstanding reputation, top-rated for teaching, with broad, flexible and diverse programmes covering language, literature, history and culture, with four or five-year options, study periods abroad, and many subject combinations for which a major European language adds huge advantage in today's world.

Joint Honours

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Joint Honours

Major-Minor Honours

International Business

The MA (four years) and the MBus (five years) in International Business are designed to develop the leaders of the future. They provide students with a broad understanding of International Business and are designed to equip you to be successful, with an exceptional knowledge and understanding of both its operations and its economic, political and social context.

Language and Linguistics

Language and Linguistics at Aberdeen is the fascinating exploration of human language and how speech evolved to create a bridge between sound and meaning. You will study the ways in which we acquire languages as children and adults, how languages and dialects vary and change over time, and gain the knowledge and skills to give you choice across a wide variety of careers.

Mandarin

Study Chinese Mandarin and learn a language spoken over 5,000 years by one-fifth of the population. Develop a broad understanding of rich Chinese culture while enhancing your speaking, listening, reading, writing and linguistic skills.

Mathematics

Mathematics is not just about crunching numbers – it’s about logical thinking, solving problems, decision making and understanding why things work – the main skills that recruiters look for in potential employees.

As data and machine learning continue to drive growth in financial services, retail and technology, opportunities for interesting and well-paid careers for maths graduates continue to grow.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers design, manufacture, operate and maintain a wide variety of products, using knowledge and methods from physics and maths with creativity, problem-solving and teamwork. Virtually every product in the modern world has been shaped in some way by a mechanical engineer, from everyday items to new technologies.

Medicine

At Aberdeen, you will study medicine in a thriving medical school that is co-located on one of the largest clinical sites in Europe, with superb teaching and extensive research facilities.

We are ranked 1st in the UK for Medicine in the Guardian University Guide 2025 rankings!

Molecular and Cellular Biology

Molecular and Cellular biology is one of great successes of 20th century science, culminating in the determination of the complete human genome sequence.

Music

Music at Aberdeen is a wonderful opportunity to learn, compose and perform with world-renowned composers, conductors, musicologists and researchers working in all genres, styles and periods. You will benefit from first-class facilities and instruments, have unrivalled opportunities to grow as a musician and performer, be part of the vibrant musical scene in north-east Scotland, and have options to specialise in teaching music or working with music in community settings.

Neuroscience with Psychology

By unravelling the mysteries of normal brain function, Neuroscience promotes our understanding of the devastating illnesses of the brain which afflict the lives of so many people.

Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering is concerned with the design and development of front-end engineering technologies required in the exploration and extraction of oil and gas reservoirs.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is about the discovery and characterisation of drugs that are used either as medicines or as experimental tools for advancing our understanding of the body in health and disease.

Single Honours

Physics

Physics at Aberdeen takes you on a fascinating journey of understanding through every level of the physical world, from quarks, atoms and molecules to solar systems, galaxies and the universe. We will explore questions as vast as how the universe has evolved into its present state and cover topics such as the quantum nature of reality and other fascinating topics like thermodynamics and entropy.

  • We are ranked 6th in the UK for Physics - The Guardian University Guide 2024
  • We are ranked 2nd in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction - NSS 2023

Physiology

Physiology is one of the key disciplines underpinning our knowledge of medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.

We are ranked 2nd in the UK for Anatomy and Physiology in the The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025!

Single Honours

Politics and International Relations

Politics and International Relations at Aberdeen, a unique combination in Scotland, focuses on the role of politics, power, states, and governments in an ever-changing global context, taught by internationally renowned academics regularly appearing as experts in the media on events unfolding in the world today. It is the perfect foundation for careers in politics, international affairs, NGOs, media and much more.

We are ranked 3rd in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction in Politics by the National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 and 8th in the UK for International Relations by the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Real Estate

Real Estate at Aberdeen examines real estate markets from the perspectives of economics, investment and business, at Scotland's top centre for real estate teaching and research, and second in the UK. Professionally accredited programmes prepare you for a career in surveying, with a focus on commercial real estate, investment, management, valuation and development.

Single Honours

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Joint Honours

Religious Studies

Theology and Religious Studies at Aberdeen includes both the study of Christian faith, life and doctrine in its historical, cross-cultural and contemporary contexts, and the comparative study of the major religious traditions of the world. You will focus on the origin, function, and meaning of religion, and gain a wide range of career options, in addition to ministry.

Scottish Studies

Scottish Studies at Aberdeen is a wide, thorough and fascinating exploration of the languages and rich literary heritage of Scotland, taking advantage of our strength in teaching and world-leading research in English, Gaelic, Celtic and History. We set Scottish culture in its historical context, and you gain the skills that employers seek.

Single Honours

Spanish & Latin American Studies

Spanish & Latin American Studies at Aberdeen has an outstanding reputation for innovative teaching in a friendly department, with a broad, flexible and diverse programme of courses on the language, literature, history and culture of Spain and Latin America. Your degree will include a period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, studying, working or volunteering. Spanish and Latin American Studies can be combined with many subjects across the humanities and social sciences, giving you sought-after expertise in a fast-growing global language and its cultures and a huge advantage in today's world.

Joint Honours

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Joint Honours

Major-Minor Honours

Sport, Exercise and Health Science

Whether you want to understand how our bodies adapt to the stresses imposed upon them during physical activity to benefit performance and health, or explore the role of sport and exercise as a means of improving quality of life, we have degree suited to you.

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