University of Aberdeen Scholarship 2026: Complete Guide for International Students

University of Aberdeen Scholarship: If you are looking for a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom, the University of Aberdeen has some really exciting options worth knowing about. Whether you are planning to join as an undergraduate student, a postgraduate student, or even a PhD researcher, Aberdeen offers financial support that can make a real difference to your journey. This guide walks you through everything from the types of scholarships available to how you can apply, eligibility requirements, and the deadlines you need to keep in mind.

Studying abroad can feel overwhelming when you start looking at tuition fees, living costs, and visa requirements. But the good news is that the University of Aberdeen has made a genuine effort to reduce the financial burden on international students. With scholarships worth up to £8,000 per year being automatically applied to eligible students, Aberdeen stands out as a university that truly wants talented students from around the world to succeed.

About the University of Aberdeen

Before we dive into the scholarships, it helps to understand the institution itself. The University of Aberdeen is one of Scotland’s oldest and most prestigious universities. It was founded in 1495 when William Elphinstone, the Bishop of Aberdeen, petitioned Pope Alexander VI on behalf of King James IV of Scotland to establish King’s College. This makes it Scotland’s third-oldest university and the fifth-oldest in the entire English-speaking world.

The university as it exists today came together in 1860 through a merger of King’s College and Marischal College, a second institution that had been founded in 1593 as a Protestant alternative. Today, the university is home to over 14,000 students from more than 130 countries, which tells you a lot about how international and welcoming the campus community really is.

Aberdeen consistently performs well in national and global rankings. It has been named a Top 15 UK University in both the Guardian University Guide 2025 and the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. It also ranks second across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for student satisfaction in The National Student Survey 2024. For international students, these rankings matter because they reflect the quality of education, student support, and the overall experience you will have during your time there.

The university is located in Aberdeen, Scotland, often called the Granite City because of its beautiful and distinctive stone architecture. Aberdeen is a friendly, ambitious city that combines historic charm with modern opportunities, especially in sectors like energy, life sciences, and technology. It is also one of the most affordable cities in the UK for students.

Why Aberdeen Scholarships Matter for International Students

International tuition fees at the University of Aberdeen range between approximately £20,800 and £24,800 per year depending on the programme you choose. For students coming from developing countries or those who are self-funding their education, this is a significant financial commitment. Scholarships can dramatically reduce this burden, and Aberdeen offers some that do not even require a separate application.

The university’s scholarship program is designed to be inclusive. It does not only reward students who are top of their class. Many of the awards are structured around financial need, specific subject areas, nationality, or the level of study. This approach means more students have a genuine chance of receiving support.

Types of University of Aberdeen Scholarships

Aberdeen offers scholarships across several categories. Understanding each one will help you identify which ones you are eligible for and which ones you should prioritize in your planning.

1. Aberdeen Global Scholarship for Undergraduate Students

This is the flagship scholarship for international undergraduate students and one of the most talked-about awards at the university. The Aberdeen Global Scholarship for undergraduate students is worth £6,000 for every year of your programme. That means if your degree takes four years to complete, you could receive £24,000 in total scholarship support over the course of your studies.

What makes this scholarship especially appealing is that it is automatic. You do not need to fill out a separate application form or write an essay to be considered. It is automatically applied to all eligible students and will be reflected on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) when it is issued.

To be eligible for the undergraduate Aberdeen Global Scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be a new student starting in Academic Year 2025/26 or 2026/27.
• You must be classified as an international fee status student.
• You must be self-funded, meaning you are not fully sponsored by a government, organization, or company.
• You must be enrolled in a full-time on-campus undergraduate programme at the Aberdeen campus.
• You must not already be in receipt of other University of Aberdeen scholarships, except for awards granted by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust.

The scholarship is applied as a partial tuition fee waiver, so the £6,000 will be directly deducted from your tuition fees each year. It is worth noting that this scholarship is only available for students studying at the Aberdeen campus and does not apply to students on distance learning programmes.

2. Aberdeen Global Scholarship for Postgraduate Masters Students

If you are planning to study a postgraduate Masters programme at Aberdeen, there is an even more generous scholarship available. The Aberdeen Global Scholarship for postgraduate students is worth £8,000 as a tuition fee waiver. Like its undergraduate counterpart, this scholarship is automatically applied to all eligible students and does not require a separate application.

The scholarship applies to both taught Masters programmes and research Masters programmes, which gives it a broader reach than many other awards in the UK. Students starting their studies in Academic Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 are eligible to apply.

To qualify for the postgraduate Aberdeen Global Scholarship, you must:

• Be a new self-funded international student starting in Academic Years 2025/26 or 2026/27.
• Be classified as international fee status.
• Be enrolled in a full-time, on-campus Masters programme.
• Not be fully sponsored or in receipt of fully funded external scholarships.

Please note that this scholarship does not apply to the DPLP, PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education), or Dentistry programmes. If you are enrolled in any of these specific programmes, you will need to explore other funding options available through the university’s funding database.

3. Aberdeen Global Scholarship by Region and Country

The postgraduate Aberdeen Global Scholarship is tiered based on where you come from, which means the amount you receive can vary depending on your country of domicile. This regional structure is designed to provide more targeted support to students from countries where the financial gap is the largest.

Here is a breakdown of the scholarship tiers for postgraduate students:

• £8,000 tuition fee discount for students from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
• £8,000 tuition fee discount for eligible students from African nations (a full list of qualifying countries is available on the University of Aberdeen website).
• £3,500 tuition fee discount for students from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China.
• £3,500 tuition fee discount for students from eligible EU countries.
• £3,000 tuition fee discount for students from other eligible countries.

This tiered system is fair and practical. It acknowledges that the cost of studying abroad is felt differently depending on where you are coming from, and it responds accordingly.

4. Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship Scheme

In addition to the Aberdeen Global Scholarship, the university also runs an Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship Scheme for students starting in September 2025. These are a set of named scholarships aimed at specific groups of students, particularly those who meet widening access criteria or who are applying for specific subjects.

Some of the scholarships available under this scheme for September 2025 include:

• NEO Energy Scholarships (4 available): Each scholarship is valued at £5,000 per year.
• The Bill Fraser Scholarship (1 available): Valued at £4,000 per year.
• David Allan ‘Fuireach Dealasach’ Scholarship (1 available): Valued at £4,000 per year.
• The Auchmeddan Scholarship (1 available): Valued at £4,000 per year.
• Robert and Elizabeth Mitchell Law Scholarship (1 available): Valued at £4,000 per year.
• Jim Duncan Scholarship (2 available): Each valued at £4,000 per year and open to students who have had a break in their education of more than one year before commencing undergraduate study.
• The Prince of Wales Scholarship (10 available): Each valued at £2,000 per year, available to students domiciled in Scotland who meet the university’s widening access criteria.

The closing date for the Entrance Scholarship Scheme 2025/26 is 5pm on Thursday 31 July 2025. Students wishing to be considered must submit an application through the university’s official portal before this deadline.

5. Subject-Specific and Merit-Based Scholarships

Beyond the flagship global scholarships, Aberdeen also offers a range of subject-specific and merit-based awards. These are often smaller in value but are still meaningful contributions toward your education costs. Some examples include:

• AFZ Giles Scholarship: Available for students in medical sciences, worth approximately £1,000.
• CB Davidson Fund: A bursary available to Law students worth up to £2,500.
• Findlay Harris Dick Prize for Pictish Research: Available to PhD students engaged in research related to Pictish studies, worth approximately £500.
• Divinity Affiliated Institutions Scholarships: Open to PhD students in Theology and Divinity.
• Boehringer Ingelheim Scholarships: Research-focused funding for PhD students in specific science and medicine disciplines.

The university maintains a comprehensive online funding database where you can search for all available scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and nationality. It is worth spending time exploring this database to find awards that specifically match your profile.

6. Aberdeen Alumni Discount

If you have previously studied at the University of Aberdeen and are now planning to return for a postgraduate degree, you may be eligible for an alumni discount of 20% on your tuition fees. This is not technically a scholarship but it functions in the same way and can represent substantial savings depending on your programme fees.

7. Merit-Based Scholarship from International Study Centre

For students who complete a pathway programme at the University of Aberdeen International Study Centre (ISC) before progressing to the main university, there is a merit-based scholarship available. Students who achieve a grade B (68% or higher) in their Pre-Masters Programme can receive up to £2,000 off their tuition fees for their postgraduate degree.

This is a great incentive for students to push themselves academically during their pathway year, as strong performance directly translates into financial reward when they progress to the main degree programme.

Scholarships for PhD Students at Aberdeen

PhD funding at the University of Aberdeen works somewhat differently from undergraduate and taught postgraduate scholarships. The university offers a range of pre-defined PhD research projects across its academic Schools, Research Centres, and Institutes. Some of these projects come with full or partial funding attached, and the funding details are clearly listed within each project’s description.

Entrance requirements for a PhD at Aberdeen typically involve either a Masters degree or a first or upper-second class Honours degree in a relevant subject area from an approved university. Some schools may have additional specific requirements, so it is important to check the prospectus page for your chosen subject before applying.

PhD students can also apply for research-specific scholarships such as the Findlay Harris Dick Prize for Pictish Research, the Divinity Affiliated Institutions Scholarships, and the Boehringer Ingelheim Scholarships. Students applying for externally funded PhD projects should check individual project listings carefully, as funding availability and eligibility vary from project to project.

It is also worth noting that the Aberdeen Alumni PhD Scholarship exists to support students pursuing research degrees. This award recognizes academic excellence and supports innovative research projects at the university.

Scholarships Through the International Study Centre

The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre (ISC) offers its own set of scholarships for students enrolled in pathway programmes. These pathway programmes are stepping-stone courses designed for international students who need extra preparation before entering undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.

For students enrolling in an undergraduate pathway programme at the ISC in September 2026, November 2026, or January 2027 and progressing to the University of Aberdeen in September 2027, the university is offering a £6,000 scholarship for every year of the undergraduate degree.

For students enrolling in a postgraduate pathway programme at the ISC in May 2026 or September 2026 and progressing to the university in September 2026 or January 2027, an £8,000 scholarship for the postgraduate degree is available.

One important rule to keep in mind: students at the University of Aberdeen cannot combine multiple scholarship awards. If you are eligible for more than one scholarship, you will receive the highest-value award as your total award. The university will assess your eligibility and apply the best available scholarship automatically.

General Eligibility Requirements for University of Aberdeen Scholarships

While each scholarship has its own specific eligibility conditions, there are some general requirements that apply to most scholarships at Aberdeen:

• You must be classified as an international fee status student.
• You must be enrolled in a full-time, on-campus programme at the Aberdeen campus.
• You must be self-funded, meaning you are not sponsored by a government, organization, or company that is covering your full tuition costs.
• You must meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen programme.
• You must not already be in receipt of a fully funded external scholarship.
• You must hold a valid offer from the University of Aberdeen for the relevant academic year.

For entrance scholarships and some merit-based awards, additional criteria may apply, such as subject area, domicile, financial need, or personal circumstances. Always read the specific eligibility criteria for each scholarship before assuming you qualify.

How to Apply for University of Aberdeen Scholarships

One of the most refreshing things about Aberdeen’s scholarship system is that many of its most valuable scholarships do not require a separate application. The Aberdeen Global Scholarship for both undergraduate and postgraduate students is automatically assessed when you apply for admission and will be reflected in your CAS document. This removes a lot of stress and extra paperwork from the process.

However, for scholarships that do require a separate application such as the Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship Scheme, you will need to follow a specific process:

1. Check your eligibility: Visit the official University of Aberdeen funding database and read through the eligibility criteria for each scholarship you are considering.
2. Apply for admission first: Most scholarships require you to first hold an offer from the university. Make sure your main application is submitted through UCAS (for undergraduate students) or the university’s postgraduate application portal before applying for scholarships.
3. Complete the scholarship application form: For scholarships that require a separate application, download or access the application form from the university’s official scholarship pages and fill it in carefully.
4. Prepare supporting documents: Some scholarships may ask for personal statements, academic transcripts, or evidence of financial need. Gather these documents in advance to avoid any last-minute rush.
5. Submit before the deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the scholarship. For the Entrance Scholarship Scheme, the closing date for 2025/26 is 5pm on 31 July 2025. Never assume deadlines will be extended.

For any questions about the application process, the university encourages students to get in touch via their official online contact form. You can also reach the Access and Articulation team at accessaberdeen@abdn.ac.uk for queries related to widening access scholarships.

To start your scholarship journey, visit the University of Aberdeen official scholarships and funding page where you will find the full database of all available awards.

Key Deadlines to Remember

Deadlines play a critical role in scholarship applications. Missing a deadline almost always means missing out on the award entirely, regardless of how strong your application is. Here are some key dates to note:

• Entrance Scholarship Scheme 2025/26: Application closes at 5pm on 31 July 2025.
• Aberdeen Global Scholarship (Undergraduate and Postgraduate): No separate application required. Automatically assessed when you receive your admission offer. Eligibility is reviewed up until the start of your programme.
• ISC Pathway Scholarships: Deadlines vary based on intake. Check directly with the International Study Centre for specific dates.
• Subject-Specific Scholarships: Each scholarship has its own deadline. Always check the individual listing on the university’s funding database for exact dates.

Tuition Fees at the University of Aberdeen

To help you understand just how much a scholarship can save you, it helps to look at the tuition fees in context. For international students at the University of Aberdeen, tuition fees typically range between £20,800 and £24,800 per year depending on the programme. Certain specialist programmes such as Medicine or Dentistry may have higher fees.

With the Aberdeen Global Scholarship applied, an undergraduate international student would effectively pay between £14,800 and £18,800 per year after the £6,000 waiver. For postgraduate students receiving the maximum £8,000 waiver, fees would fall to between £12,800 and £16,800 per year. Over the course of a full degree programme, these savings add up to a very significant amount of money.

Student Life and Support at Aberdeen

Scholarships are important, but they are not the only form of support available at Aberdeen. The university has a strong commitment to student wellbeing and provides a wide range of support services to help international students settle in and thrive.

The Sir Duncan Rice Library is a world-class facility that houses over one million books, a special collections centre, and more than 1,200 dedicated study spaces. There are also specialist libraries for students studying Medicine, Divinity, and Law. The university’s Science Teaching Hub, which opened in 2022, provides state-of-the-art teaching and training facilities for students across multiple science disciplines.

Accommodation is guaranteed for all new full-time on-campus students. You can choose from a variety of accommodation options on the King’s College Campus or at Hillhead Student Village. All university accommodation comes with unlimited free Wi-Fi, 24-hour management and security, and a fast maintenance team.

The Careers and Employability Service at Aberdeen is another huge advantage for international students. It offers career planning, guidance, and advice not just during your studies but also after you graduate. This means the support you receive extends well beyond your time at university.

Aberdeen also has 12 academic schools covering a wide range of disciplines including Business, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Geosciences, Psychology, Education, and the Arts. Whatever you want to study, there is a good chance Aberdeen has a programme that fits your ambitions.

Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application

Getting a scholarship is not just about meeting the minimum eligibility criteria. It is about presenting yourself in the best possible way and making sure you take every opportunity available to you. Here are some practical tips to improve your chances:

• Apply early: Even though some scholarships are automatic, applying for your admission early means your scholarship eligibility will be assessed sooner, giving you more time to plan your finances.
• Check your fee status: Make sure the university classifies you as an international fee status student. This is a requirement for most scholarships at Aberdeen.
• Use the funding database: The University of Aberdeen’s online funding database is searchable by level of study, subject, and nationality. Take the time to explore it thoroughly.
• Be honest in your personal statement: For scholarships that require a personal statement, be genuine and specific about your circumstances, your goals, and why you chose Aberdeen.
• Do not rely on just one scholarship: Apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for. Remember, the university will award you the highest-value scholarship if you qualify for more than one.
• Contact the admissions team: If you are unsure whether you qualify for a particular scholarship, contact the university directly. They are genuinely helpful and can point you in the right direction.

Final Thoughts

The University of Aberdeen scholarship program is one of the most accessible and straightforward in the United Kingdom. With automatic scholarships worth up to £8,000 per year, named entrance scholarships for specific groups, and a wide range of subject-specific and research-based awards, Aberdeen genuinely puts its money where its values are when it comes to welcoming international students.

If you are dreaming of studying in Scotland, at one of the world’s oldest universities, in a city that is affordable, safe, and full of opportunities, Aberdeen deserves a serious look. The combination of academic quality, financial support, and student services makes it a destination that stands out among UK universities for international applicants.

Do not wait too long to start your application. Key deadlines come around faster than you might expect, and many of these scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Start by visiting the official university website, exploring the funding database, and checking your eligibility for the Aberdeen Global Scholarship today.

Ready to take the next step? Visit the University of Aberdeen Official Scholarships and Funding Page to explore all available awards and begin your application.