University of Aberdeen Admissions Statistics

Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is one of the UK’s oldest universities. Known for its strong teaching quality, research excellence, and flexible degree structures, Aberdeen attracts applicants from across the UK and around the world.

But how selective is Aberdeen overall, and does competition for places vary depending on the subject you choose? If you’re considering applying there, understanding the University of Aberdeen admissions statistics can help you judge how successful your application might be.

In this guide, we break down recent University of Aberdeen admissions statistics, including overall offer rates, subject demand, and what these figures mean for you as an applicant.

All figures are based on UCAS (opens in a new tab) and officially released admissions data (opens in a new tab).

Top 3 University of Aberdeen Admissions Statistics

• In the 2023/24 admissions cycle, approximately 17,700 students applied to the University of Aberdeen for undergraduate study.

• Around 15,000 applicants received offers, meaning roughly 85% were offered a place.

• High-demand subjects include Medicine, Law, Psychology and Business, which attract significantly more applications than many other courses.

University of Aberdeen Acceptance Rate Overview

The University of Aberdeen receives thousands of undergraduate applications each year from students across the UK and internationally.

In the 2023/24 admissions cycle, available UCAS and institutional data indicate:

• Around 17,700 undergraduate applications

• Approximately 15,000 offers made

This gives an overall offer rate of roughly 85%, meaning about 5 out of every 6 applicants receive an offer.

It is important to understand what this figure represents. An offer rate refers to the proportion of applicants who receive an offer, not the number who ultimately enrol. Many students apply to several universities and choose between multiple offers before confirming their place.

Overall, the University of Aberdeen is considered selective but accessible within the UK university sector. It is less restrictive than highly selective universities such as Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial, but entry requirements remain academically strong, particularly for professional and competitive subjects.

Competition varies significantly by course:

• Medicine, Law, Psychology and Business attract large applicant numbers and tend to be more competitive.

• Many other degree programmes make offers to a higher proportion of qualified applicants.

For this reason, your chances of receiving an offer depend far more on the subject you apply for than the university’s overall offer rate alone.

Acceptance patterns by subject are explored in more detail below.

University of Aberdeen Admissions Statistics by Subject

Admission competitiveness at the University of Aberdeen varies significantly depending on the subject area you choose. Rather than focusing on individual degree titles, the table below groups related courses together to show broader patterns in application demand and offer rates across the university.

The figures are based on the most recent available admissions data for the 2023/24 cycle. Subject groups are ranked by number of applications, so you can quickly identify which areas attract the highest levels of competition.

Lower acceptance rates generally indicate stronger competition for places, although entry requirements remain academically rigorous across all subject areas.

Source: UCAS Undergraduate Provider-Level Data 2023/24 and University of Aberdeen admissions transparency data.

Key Trends from 2023/24 Admissions Data

1. Medicine is by far the most competitive course

Medicine stands out as the most selective subject at the University of Aberdeen.

Although Aberdeen makes offers to a large proportion of applicants overall, Medicine operates very differently. Thousands of students apply each year, but only a small proportion ultimately secure places. This reflects national competition for medical school places across the UK.

If you are applying for Medicine, strong academic grades alone will not be enough. Successful applicants typically demonstrate:

• a sustained commitment to healthcare

• relevant work experience or volunteer work

• anunderstanding of medical ethics and patient care

• clear motivation for studying Medicine

2. Law and Psychology attract consistently high demand

Law and Psychology are among Aberdeen’s most popular non-medical degrees.

Large applicant numbers mean that competition is strong, even where offer rates appear healthy. Bear in mind that admissions tutors often need to differentiate between many applicants who already meet the academic requirements.

To make your application stand out, show:

• interest beyond school study

• evidence of independent reading or research

• analytical thinking skills

• a clear understanding of the subject

3. Business and Marketing courses offer strong access routes

Business-related degrees attract large numbers of applications but typically maintain relatively high offer rates compared with highly selective subjects.

Applicants can strengthen their chances by demonstrating:

• commercial awareness

• teamwork or leadership experience

• part-time work or enterprise activity

• clear career motivation

4. STEM subjects combine strong demand with good offer rates

Subjects such as Engineering, Computing, Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences attract steady applicant interest while maintaining comparatively high offer rates. 

This is typical of Scottish research universities, where departments actively recruit students into strategically important STEM areas.

These courses can represent excellent, realistic choices for students with solid science backgrounds. A strong application should emphasise:

• enthusiasm for problem-solving

• mathematical or scientific preparation

• practical or project experience where possible

5. Aberdeen is selective, but far less uniform than rankings suggest

One of the most important insights from the admissions data is that competitiveness varies widely by subject.

Overall offer rates at Aberdeen are relatively high compared with highly selective UK universities, but this does not mean every course is easy to enter.

Your chances depend heavily on the subject you apply for, demand in that department, and how well your application demonstrates your suitability for that course.

When choosing your UCAS options, it is sensible to:

• include one ambitious choice

• include realistic match options

• avoid selecting five courses with identical competitiveness levels

For further support with your decision-making and UCAS application, consult the University Advice section of our Learning Hub.

How the University of Aberdeen Makes Admissions Decisions

The University of Aberdeen considers a range of academic and personal factors when assessing undergraduate applications. While grades remain the most important element, admissions decisions are based on several factors, especially for competitive courses.

Academic Requirements

The University of Aberdeen makes offers based primarily on predicted or achieved qualifications, such as:

• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

• A Levels

• BTEC qualifications

• IB Diploma

• Access to HE diplomas or equivalent international qualifications

Each course sets its own entry requirements. Competitive subjects such as Law, Psychology or Business may expect applicants to achieve grades at or above the published minimum.

Personal Statements

Your personal statement helps admissions tutors understand:

• why you want to study the subject

• the skills and interests you have developed

• evidence of engagement beyond the classroom

• your long-term academic or career goals

For popular courses, the personal statement can play an important role in distinguishing between academically similar candidates.

You may find our guide to writing a personal statement helpful.

Contextual Admissions

The University of Aberdeen operates contextual admissions as part of its widening participation strategy.

Factors in an applicant’s educational background and personal circumstances that may be taken into account include:

• school or college performance data

• socio-economic background indicators

• participation in widening access programmes

• care experience or other personal circumstances

Eligible applicants may receive adjusted offers or additional consideration during the admissions process.

Interviews, Tests, Portfolios

Most undergraduate courses at Aberdeen do not require interviews.

However, some programmes include additional selection stages:

• Medicine requires interviews and additional assessment processes

• Creative or specialist courses may request portfolios or supplementary work

• Certain professional programmes may include suitability assessments

Always check individual course pages carefully before applying.

Other Non-Academic Factors

The University of Aberdeen may also consider your academic references, the subject combinations you studied, and evidence of relevant extracurricular activities or work experience.

How Competitive Is the University of Aberdeen Compared to Similar Universities?

Ranked 18th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2026 (opens in a new tab), the University of Aberdeen consistently ranks among the top universities in the UK for student satisfaction, research quality and graduate outcomes.

Compared with highly selective universities such as Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial College London, Aberdeen is generally less restrictive overall. However, this does not mean admission is easy. Competition varies significantly depending on the subject you choose.

At Scottish universities in particular, admissions patterns may differ from England because:

• degrees are typically four years long

• students specialise slightly later

• universities recruit across Scotland, the UK and internationally

This means overall offer rates may appear higher, while competitive courses still attract strong applicant pools.

Compared with similar Scottish institutions such as Dundee, Stirling, or Heriot-Watt, Aberdeen sits at a similar level of selectivity. Some key patterns emerge:

• Medicine, Law and Psychology tend to be among the most competitive subjects.

• Science, Engineering and Health programmes attract steady demand with strong academic expectations.

• Humanities and joint honours degrees often offer slightly broader entry routes while maintaining high standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of University of Aberdeen applicants get accepted?

In the 2023/24 admissions cycle, the University of Aberdeen received approximately 17,700 undergraduate applications and made approximately 15,000 offers, resulting in an overall offer rate of about 85%.

This means roughly 4 out of 5 applicants received an offer. However, offer rates vary significantly by subject, with professional courses such as Medicine and Law being more competitive.

Which course at the University of Aberdeen is the hardest to get into?

Based on recent admissions data, Medicine (MBChB) is by far the most competitive course at Aberdeen. Medicine receives several thousand applications each year but offers only a limited number of places, meaning only a small proportion of applicants receive offers.

Other competitive subjects typically include Law, Psychology, and Biomedical Sciences. These courses all attract large applicant pools, increasing competition even when entry requirements appear achievable.

What percentage of University of Aberdeen students drop out?

According to The Guardian 2026 University Guide (opens in a new tab), around 94–95% of Aberdeen students continue into their second year.

This means the non-continuation, or dropout, rate is approximately 5–6%, slightly lower than the UK average and indicating strong levels of student satisfaction and academic support.

Final Thoughts

The University of Aberdeen attracts a large number of applicants each year, but competitiveness varies significantly depending on the subject you choose. Highly applied-for courses such as Medicine, Law and Psychology are more selective, while many other degrees offer strong opportunities for well-prepared applicants.

Understanding admissions statistics helps you apply strategically. Rather than focusing only on university rankings, think carefully about course demand, entry requirements and how well your skills and interests match your chosen subject.

If the University of Aberdeen is one of your top choices, strong predicted grades, clear subject motivation and thoughtful preparation will give you the best chance of success. Save My Exams provides teacher and examiner-written A Level revision resources designed to help you secure the grades you need and approach your university application with confidence.

References:

• University of Aberdeen | UCAS (opens in a new tab)

• Undergraduate Admissions Data - a Freedom of Information request to University of Aberdeen - WhatDoTheyKnow (opens in a new tab)

• Facts & Figures | About | The University of Aberdeen (opens in a new tab)

• The Guardian University Guide 2026 – the rankings (opens in a new tab)