University of Aberdeen

History, Affiliations and Rankings

The University of Aberdeen is Scotland's 3rd oldest and the UK's 5th oldest university, having been founded in 1495 by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland. King's College was founded by William Elphinstone to educate and train doctors, teachers, and clergy for the people of northern Scotland, as well as attorneys and administrators for the Scottish Crown. Much of the King's College, as well as the Bishop's traditions, are still in place today. George Keith, 4th Earl Marischal, built a second, Post-Reformation university in the heart of Aberdeen's New Town in 1593. In 1860, the current University of Aberdeen was formed by the merger of King's College and Marischal College. The university is proudly affiliated with Aurora, Association of Commonwealth Universities, Universities Scotland, Universities UK, University of the Arctic and EUA. The University of Aberdeen has moved up 20 places in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022, putting it within the top 200 universities in the world. Aberdeen is rated 158th in the world, 22nd in the United Kingdom, and one of three Scottish institutions within the top 200 universities in the world. The University has climbed up to the top 30 in the United Kingdom for Teaching and Research, as well as 16th in the United Kingdom and 91st internationally for Citations, a measure of research impact. In addition, the university is ranked #205 in the QS World University Rankings 2022. Furthermore, the Guardian League Tables 2022 and The Complete University Guide University League Tables 2022 have ranked University of Aberdeen #38 and #20 in national rankings, respectively.