Parents Guide. #makeitabdn

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Parents’

Guide

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We are delighted that your family member is considering choosing Aberdeen for their education. It’s a very important decision to make – for applicants but also for parents and guardians. We hope that this guide will provide you with the information you need in order to support this important choice.

At Aberdeen, we consider the quality of our teaching and student experience to be of paramount importance. Numerous indicators of teaching, student satisfaction and research excellence place Aberdeen in the highest echelon of UK universities. The University has recently been ranked 55th in the world (CWTS Leiden Ranking). It is an exciting time to be joining the University. Aberdeen is increasingly regarded as a university of choice and applicants recognise the significant investment we are making in the teaching and facilities that we provide. In recent years over £280 million has been spent on new facilities for students with a further £288 million of investment planned for the years ahead. Examples of the kind of new world-class facilities you will find include the Olympic standard Aberdeen Sports Village and Aquatics Centre, our Sir Duncan Rice Library, the Suttie Centre (a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to medical education), and the new Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health. We are also committed to making Aberdeen an environment that welcomes new students and which supports them in what can be a challenging new phase in their lives.

The welfare and the success of your family member are our top priorities.

We know that what happens to our students after they leave here is an important consideration. You can be assured that a degree from Aberdeen will be recognised and respected by employers the world over. The records show that after leaving Aberdeen our graduates are highly sought after by employers. We intend to keep it that way and in the last few years we have been one of the first universities in Britain to redesign our curriculum in partnership with students and employers to ensure that Aberdeen graduates are equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century. We are confident that an Aberdeen education will, more than ever before, deliver the combination of academic and personal skills needed to succeed in life and in the job market.

While I hope that this guide will give you the information you need, I would encourage you to visit the University, to tour our facilities and to meet our staff. If you do, I am sure that you will get an even better sense of why we believe Aberdeen to be a very special community.

We look forward to welcoming you to Aberdeen in the near future.

Welcome

Professor Sir Ian Diamond FBA FRSE FAcSS Principal and Vice-Chancellor

University of Aberdeen Parents’ Guide University of Aberdeen Parents’ Guide 3

£280M

investment

Over 440

first degree programmes

Top 1%

ranking in the world

96%

graduate employment*

Research rated as

World Leading**

** 85% of the University’s research was classified as ‘world leading’ in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2014.

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Our students achieve top qualifications

Academically, we have the strength you would expect of a 500-year old university with a growing international reputation.

Every few years the quality of research in British universities is reviewed and the results are used by higher education funding bodies to distribute public funds for research. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2014, over three quarters of the University’s research was classified as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (4* and 3*). The University of Aberdeen is ranked in the top 1% in the world, emphasising our commitment to providing our students with the best possible education and student experience.

A world of choice and flexibility

Flexibility and individuality are our real strengths, and this starts with entry. Many students studying with us wish to experience the breadth and depth of opportunity offered by the four-year Honours degree programme. In first and second year, all students (with the exception of Medicine and Dentistry) taking a single honours degree will also obtain 25% of their degree credits from courses from other programmes.

We call this flexibility Enhanced Study; it provides the much needed versatility and adaptability necessary for gaining employment in the 21st Century. In real terms, this means that, whilst studying one main subject, there are opportunities to study other subjects and even change course. Every student is allocated their own personal tutor who is always on hand with advice and guidance. Their personal tutor will be able to meet with them regularly, and provide advice and help when required.

Visit: abdn.ac.uk/study/enhanced-study

World-class facilities

At Aberdeen we consistently invest in our learning resources and facilities. In recent years this has meant investment of £280 million in outstanding facilities such as our Sir Duncan Rice Library, the Olympic standard Aberdeen Sports Village and Aquatics Centre and the Suttie Centre (a state-of-the-art facility for medical education). These are just some examples of our commitment to providing our students with the best experience possible, and why Aberdeen is firmly on the map as one of the leading universities in the UK.

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/student-life

The

University

5

The University of Aberdeen Parents’ Guide

University of Aberdeen Parents’ Guide

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Stand-out employability

We aim to use all our prestige, reputation, experience and skills to give our students a vital advantage in the job market.

96% of our students enter into good employment, research posts or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2013-14). Our Careers Service is available to offer all the help it can to secure that important first rung on the ladder and onwards to a satisfying and successful career. We encourage students, throughout

96%

of our graduates

enter into employment

or further study within

six months

their degrees, to become involved in a range of activities, including career mentoring, internships, student society committee membership, and a range of others, all of which are recorded on an Enhanced Transcript. The Enhanced Transcript is a formal University document which will helps our students to maximise employability; it records University achievements on one document which can be shared with employers and postgraduate recruiters.

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Life in the

Silver City

According to new research, Aberdeen is growing more successfully than almost every other city in the UK. Indeed, in a recent report (Good Growth for Cities Index Report 2015) Aberdeen was voted the 5th best city to live in in the UK. Aberdeen performs well in many areas including: jobs, income, health and the environment. Our students enjoy the benefits of a dynamic, forward- thinking city during their studies and are well placed for employment opportunities following their graduation. Our partnerships with industry, major research centres, and universities throughout Europe and beyond, also means that our graduates really do have the world at their feet.

Home away from home

Aberdeen is unusual for a city university in that it has most of its student accommodation within walking distance of the campus in Old Aberdeen. An offer of accommodation is guaranteed for all new students; this could be within our portfolio of accommodation or with one of our approved partners, provided the application reaches us by the published deadline. Our Student Accommodation Office is happy to provide full details of accommodation options. University owned Halls and flats have trained Student Resident Assistants (SRAs), to ensure that students are in a secure and well supported environment. SRAs, who may be teaching staff, research staff or mature students, can help new students to get the most out of communal life and can be consulted in confidence about academic, domestic or personal matters.

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/accommodation

A friendly welcoming city

Aberdeen is a friendly city which welcomes students. Big enough for the big city experience, it is still small enough to make it easy for new students to make friends and quickly find their way around. The Students’ Association plays a vital role in giving new students all the help they need to settle in. Aberdeen is ranked the safest student city in Scotland, with crime statistics well below many other cities. However, we do encourage and help our students to take sensible precautions. Free transport is often provided for late-night events.

From the historic 15th century University campus in Old Aberdeen, it’s just a short walk to the bustling city centre of Europe’s energy capital. It’s just half-an-hour from the buzz of Union Street to the tranquillity of the nearby hills and countryside in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Where else can you have lectures in the morning and ski in the afternoon, or sail, or windsurf, or hill climb, or canoe or…? It’s all here – and all so close at hand.

At night Aberdeen really lights up with a nightlife second to none, with venues ranging from trendy clubs, to old-world pubs full of atmosphere, and everything in between. Our vibrant local music scene suits all tastes and includes regular major tour gigs by the biggest names around. To find out more about this bustling yet beautiful area of the North East of Scotland you might want to look at the following websites: www.visitaberdeen.com

www.aberdeeninvestlivevisit.co.uk Aberdeen City Council:

www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

Visit Scotland: www.visitscotland.com

Voted 5th

best city to live

in, in the UK

(Good Growth for Cities Report, 2015) 6

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Student Support

and Finance

University of Aberdeen Parents’ Guide University of Aberdeen Parents’ Guide

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Finance

You may be anxious about how you will support your child at university and you might find the whole issue of student finance rather complicated. For Scottish-domiciled students the first step to find out more about, and apply for, financial support is to contact the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS):

Tel: 0300 555 0505 or visit the SAAS website at www.saas.gov.uk

Students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales can take advantage of the breadth of study offered by a four year degree will only pay for three years of study at a rate of £9,000. This means that total fees for a four-year degree at Aberdeen and will be equivalent to those for a three-year degree in other parts of the UK (£27,000). For students studying Medicine and Dentistry, the tuition fees will be £9,000 for every year of study, and for those students taking enhanced degrees, such as our five year undergraduate Engineering (MEng) and Biological Sciences (MSci) programmes, amongst others, the cost will be £9,000 for four years, with no student paying more than £36,000 for the full degree.

Students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales can apply to the Student Loans Company for a tuition fee loan.

This tuition fee loan is paid directly to the University by the Government and students only need to start repaying the loan once earning over £21,000 after graduation (£16,910 for students from Northern Ireland). In addition, Government grants are available.

There are a wide-range of scholarship opportunities for students paying full fees. Our website has all of the information you’ll need about tuition fees, costs of study and scholarships.

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/ugscholarships You can find out more about student finance at:

Students from England

Student Finance England Tel: +44 (0)300 100 0607 www.gov.uk/student-finance

Students from Wales

Student Finance Wales Contact Centre Tel: +44 (0)300 200 4050

www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

Students from Northern Ireland

Student Finance Tel: +44 (0)300 100 0077 www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

Extra help is available at Aberdeen in the form of scholarships normally worth at least £1,000 a year for new undergraduate entrants. Many other scholarships and sponsorships are awarded each year. Our Student Recruitment and Admissions Service can tell you more about these.

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/ugfinance We provide a range of student support services

which can be tailored to your needs. We aim to look after the health and well-being of every member of our community in the widest sense and have a network of support in place to help students with their academic, personal and social life. This includes helping new students to settle in when they arrive, and continuing to support them throughout their stay. It also extends to help with course choices and health, finances, careers, personal and social life, a dedicated Disability Adviser, as well as a Welfare Advice Officer to offer confidential advice on anything from grants and accommodation to employment and legal problems.

For more information on disability support, contact:

Tel: +44 (0)1224 273935 or

Email: [email protected]

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/support

Broadening horizons

Aberdeen offers a truly international university experience, with students from more than 120 countries.

In addition, our close links with a variety of international universities means that on many courses students have the opportunity to widen their horizons by spending a period of time studying abroad. We have exchange programmes with universities in Europe, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan and the USA.

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/go-abroad

Aberdeen: we’re on the map!

Located in the North-East of Scotland, Aberdeen is easily reached from all the major cities within Europe and throughout the world. Cheap and regular rail and bus transport makes for quick connections with the rest of Scotland and the UK, while cheap flights touch down in London in a little over an hour.

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/travel

We have a range

of scholarships

available, normally

worth £1000 -

£3000 per year

A truly

international

university

experience,

WickKirkwall Stornoway Liverpool Shetland Islands Bergen Copenhagen Stavanger Paris Ibiza

Palma De Mallorca Burgas

Dalaman Alicante Belfast Dublin Exeter Aberdeen Bradford Birmingham Newcastle Humberside Norwich _Groningen Amsterdam Frankfurt Manchester London Southampton Jersey Reus Bristol

Durham Tees Valley Esbjerg

with students from more

than 120 countries

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“We have always been a very close family, and I was worried that Daliah would be lonely without her brother and friends around. She had travelled before, but it felt different, her going to University. I actually think I was more nervous than Daliah who couldn’t wait to begin her new life.

My fears were quickly quashed as she met a lot of friends in her University Halls. She took advantage of the activities during Freshers’ Week and these girls are still her closest friends. She also became a student ambassador, and this has been a great source of pride for her. I have been particularly impressed with the opportunities that Aberdeen has afforded her.

Parent and Applicant

Information Evenings

We are hosting our annual series of Parent and Applicant Information Evenings in February 2016. These events provide you with a valuable opportunity to meet with staff from the University and receive information on your next steps, finance, university life and student support.

For more information and dates in your area: Visit www.abdn.ac.uk/study/

informationevenings

Parent and Family Programme

If your son, daughter or family member is thinking of becoming a part of the Aberdeen family, why not join them by becoming a member of our Parent and Family Programme. Open to anyone with a family member studying at the University of Aberdeen, the programme provides a unique way for you to get involved and share in the Aberdeen experience. As a member you will benefit from invitations to exclusive University events, all the latest University news and events through our newsletter and access to our member-exclusive discounts and services. More generally, you will be helping to support our global ambitions and current projects.

Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/parent-and-family

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Graduate Profile

Parent Profile

Gordon Cameron

Computing Science Degree

Primrose Sharon Bond (Mother)

Daliah Primrose Bond, MA History & PhD History

Daliah was even supported to attend a British Council funded cultural exchange to China, for which only 20 students from Scotland were chosen.

At first I was worried about visiting Aberdeen, as we live near London, but the train and plane links are excellent. I am happy that Daliah sees Aberdeen as home, as well as her place of study. Daliah has always been passionate about her department, lecturers and courses. She loved it so much she decided to stay for three more years to complete her PhD in History. The support and opportunities Aberdeen has given Daliah have helped to create the intelligent, creative and confident young woman I see come home on holidays, and I would have no hesitation in recommending the University.”

“ There was so much to enjoy coming

from a small town – a lot of

open-minded people from around the world

gathered together on an inspiring

campus. I used to love walking from

Hillhead (Halls of Residence) down

to King’s before classes; playing

basketball, with the second team;

cycling everywhere; the friends I

made in halls and shared flats; the

opportunity and spaces to learn, and

the fact that although a relatively large

university, it was always possible to

escape and find somewhere alone.

It was an enlightening time for me.”

Gordon Cameron made his childhood dreams a reality when he became a technical supervisor in production for Pixar Animation Studios in California – one of the most successful hit- movie making studios in the world.

Brave – the Scotland based tale of a warrior princess – is one of the animations worked on by Gordon who’s the only Scot working for Pixar. Gordon attributes his successful career to a number of people giving him a chance, but also the tremendous technical and practical experience he received at Aberdeen.

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Student Recruitment and Admissions Service Directorate of Student Life

The Hub Elphinstone Road King’s College Aberdeen AB24 3TU Scotland

Tel: +44 (0)1224 272090/91 Fax: +44 (0)1224 272576 Email: [email protected] Web: abdn.ac.uk/study

Aberdeen continues to pursue best practice and high standards of service for all students. If you would like to receive this document in an alternative format, please contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions Service for more information.

The information in this guide was correct at the time of going to print, December 2015, and relates to 2016 entry only. It does not apply to 2017 entry or beyond. The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013683

universityofaberdeen @aberdeenuni uniofaberdeen /uniofaberdeen