Aberdeen · Founded 1992
Post-1992 UniversityRobert Gordon University
Aberdeen's career-focused university, consistently ranked among the UK's best for graduate employment. RGU's pharmacy programme is one of the top-rated in Scotland, and its architecture school — the Scott Sutherland School — is well-regarded by professional bodies. The Garthdee campus overlooks the River Dee in the south-west of the city.
Rankings
- Guardian
- 50+92
- Times
- 50+50
- Student satisfaction
- 81%
Cost of Living
- Rent (halls)
- £630/mo
- Rent (private)
- £520/mo
- Other costs
- £700/mo
Aberdeen is one of Scotland's most affordable cities for students. RGU's Garthdee campus is a short bus ride from the city centre, with lower rents nearby.
Known For
Students
15,500
Location
Aberdeen
SAAS code
R36
Entry requirements for Scottish students
Typical Higher offers for 2026 entry. Always check with RGU directly.
Pharmacy (MPharm)
Chemistry + one science required
4-year integrated
Architecture (BA Hons)
English required; Art preferred
Portfolio may be required
Mechanical Engineering (MEng)
Maths + Physics required
Nursing (BSc Hons)
English required
PVG check required
Computing
National 5 Maths required
Business
No specific subjects
Entry requirements sourced from Robert Gordon University prospectus, April 2026. Competitive courses may ask for higher grades.
What it actually costs per month
Realistic monthly budget for a student living in Aberdeen, 2026.
The SAAS gap at RGU
- SAAS gives you (max, monthly)
- £950/mo
- Your costs (est.)
- £1,000/mo
Aberdeen's moderate rents mean full SAAS support comes close to covering typical costs, with a shortfall of around £50 per month. A small amount of part-time work (4–6 hours per week) is usually enough to balance the budget.
Calculate your exact SAAS packageSAAS tuition — what you’ll actually pay
If you’re a Scotland-domiciled undergraduate, SAAS pays Robert Gordon University’s tuition fee (£1,820/year) directly — you pay nothing. The SAAS code is R36.
Open days 2026
Confirmed 2026 open day dates for RGU. Always book a place directly via the university website.
2 Sep 2026
Campus
31 Oct 2026
Campus
28 Nov 2026
Campus
Dates sourced from RGU’s official open days page, checked April 2026. Confirm current details before travelling.
Scholarships & bursaries
Verified funding available to Scottish-domiciled students at RGU. Always check the university website for current eligibility criteria and deadlines.
Care-Experienced Bursary
£8,100/yr
Care-experienced Scottish students (in addition to SAAS award)
Apply / find out moreRobert Nicol Bursary
£1,500/yr
Scottish-domiciled students in financial hardship; any degree
Apply / find out moreInternational Study Bursary
£1,000/yr
Scottish students studying an accredited placement year abroad
Apply / find out moreWho is RGU best for?
RGU consistently scores in the UK top-5 for graduate employment, and that’s the headline reason to choose it. Programmes are tightly aligned with industry — pharmacy with the NHS and big chains, engineering with the energy sector, architecture with the Scottish profession. The Garthdee campus is modern, riverside, and self-contained. Aberdeen rents are noticeably cheaper than Edinburgh or Glasgow. Right pick if your child is choosing a vocational career path (pharmacy, architecture, engineering) and wants to walk into a graduate role with no detour. Less obvious for academic humanities or pure-research aspirations — those students typically prefer Aberdeen University down the road.
Student life at a glance
Students’ union
RGU:Union — small but well-funded. Strong sports culture, particularly rugby and rowing on the Dee.
Social scene
Garthdee is south of the city — Belmont Street and Union Street nightlife are a 10-minute bus or taxi away. Quieter than central Glasgow but with everything you need.
Graduate prospects
Top-5 UK graduate employment rate. Strong recruitment from Boots and NHS pharmacy, BP and Shell engineering grad schemes, and Scottish architecture practices.
Considering RGU? Also look at
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View profileComparable post-92 with strong vocational focus in another city
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Frequently asked questions about RGU
What is Robert Gordon University ranked?
Robert Gordon University is ranked 92 in the Guardian University Guide and 50 in The Times Good University Guide. Student satisfaction (from the National Student Survey) sits at 81%. Rankings shift annually — always check the latest published tables before relying on a specific position.
How much is student rent at Robert Gordon University?
Average monthly rent in Aberdeen for RGU students is approximately £630 in university halls and £520 in private rented accommodation. Other living costs (food, transport, utilities, social) add roughly £700 per month on top. These are indicative averages — actual costs depend on the specific hall or flat. Always check the university's accommodation pages for the latest prices.
What is Robert Gordon University known for?
Robert Gordon University's strongest subject areas include Pharmacy, Architecture, Petroleum Engineering, Nursing. These are the departments most commonly cited in league tables and by employers. RGU also has strong graduate employment in these areas — check the university's own graduate outcomes data for the most current figures.
What type of university is Robert Gordon University?
Robert Gordon University is a post-1992 university — meaning it was granted university status after the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. Post-92 universities typically have a career-focused teaching approach with strong vocational programmes and industry placement links.
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Browse options →Rankings, rent, and living-cost figures checked April 2026.
Rankings source: Guardian University Guide and The Times Good University Guide. Rent figures are indicative averages from council and university accommodation pages. Entry requirements sourced from RGU prospectus 2026 entry. Always confirm current prices and requirements directly with RGU. See our editorial policy for how we source and update this data.