Study at Robert Gordon University

Why study at Robert Gordon University

RGU is known for professionally focused courses developed with employers, with long-standing strengths in business, engineering and offshore-related subjects, health professions, and art and design through Gray's School of Art, active for over 140 years. Gray's was ranked first in Scotland for teaching quality in art and design in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, and the university reports a recent shortlisting for UK University of the Year. Its Garthdee campus brings all teaching onto one site south-west of the city centre.

Location and student life

All teaching takes place at the Garthdee campus in the south-west of Aberdeen, a compact single site the university consolidated onto in stages, completing the move of city-centre departments by 2013. The campus is presented as easy to reach on foot, by bike, bus, train and car. Aberdeen itself carries the nicknames Granite City and Oil Capital of Europe, and its economy includes a major North Sea oil and gas sector. Student life centres on the Garthdee site, where students use the on-campus teaching, library, sports and social facilities.

Courses and subjects

Teaching is organised into eight academic schools at Garthdee: Aberdeen Business School; Gray's School of Art; Computing, Engineering and Technology; Health; Law and Social Sciences; Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health; and the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and the Built Environment. The university is particularly associated with business and management, engineering and offshore-related technology, nursing and allied health professions, and art and design. International applicants who do not yet meet direct-entry requirements can apply through the on-campus International College (ICRGU), which offers Foundation, International Year One and Pre-Master's routes, alongside pre-sessional English courses.

Entry requirements for international students

Entry requirements vary by course and by country, so applicants should check the relevant course page and the university's English-language requirements before applying. As a guide, most undergraduate courses ask for IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and most postgraduate courses ask for IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, though some courses set higher scores. Students who miss the academic or English threshold can enter through ICRGU foundation, International Year One or Pre-Master's routes, including 10- or 13-week pre-sessional English programmes starting in October.

Accommodation

The university provides self-catering accommodation at four sites across the city, with a choice of prices, room types and locations, plus guidance on costs, payment plans and the insurance included in rents. Students apply through the university's accommodation pages and can contact the accommodation team for help choosing. Because demand is competitive, international students are advised to arrange housing before travelling and to check the latest availability, prices and deadlines on the official accommodation site.

Scholarships and funding

RGU publishes a set of international awards on its funding and scholarships pages, and all awards change from year to year, so applicants should confirm the current values and deadlines there. Verified examples include an International Merit-based Scholarship worth an £8,000 fee reduction for master's students with first-class-equivalent results, a £5,000 International Student January Scholarship for master's courses starting in January, and a £2,000-per-year International Student Discount for undergraduates entering year one. Chevening and Commonwealth awards are also listed for eligible postgraduates.