Aberdeen offers students affordable living, academic diversity, good transport links, and proximity to beaches and parks. It is important to know that depending on which university you are studying at - either the University of Aberdeen or Robert Gordon University – your perfect neighbourhood may vary.
Why Is Aberdeen a Good City for Students?
Aberdeen is known as the Granite City because it blends a historic setting with a modern economy that thrives on energy, engineering, healthcare, education, and technology. Aberdeen City had an estimated population of 227,750 in 2023, accounting for 4.1% of Scotland’s population. It was also the eighth-largest local authority area in Scotland by population.
Large Number of Students: The University of Aberdeen has over 14,000 students, while RGU has about 18,000 students both online and on campus. Thus, it has a large student population of over 32,000.
International Atmosphere: The share of international students in 2022/23 in the population of the University of Aberdeen is 29.2%. RGU involves 152 nations and helps overseas students immerse themselves in a multicultural atmosphere.
Historical Tradition: The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495 and is the third-oldest university in Scotland, after St Andrews and Glasgow.
Convenient Area for Students: The compact centre, along with well-connected areas of the university, makes it possible for many students to combine walks with cheap bus trips.
Which Are the Best Areas for Student Housing in Aberdeen?
Several neighbourhoods offer advantages such as proximity to campus, shopping facilities, and peaceful residential areas. Factors students should consider include rent prices, travel time, local facilities, and atmosphere.
Old Aberdeen
Old Aberdeen is a favourite among University of Aberdeen students. This neighbourhood has cobblestone streets and historic buildings that will give you the taste of traditional university life at King’s College. Being close to campus also means less reliance on public transportation to get to classes.
Accessibility: Good access to King’s College, Sir Duncan Rice Library, academic buildings and student facilities.
Natural environment: Seaton Park is there for relaxing, jogging, picnics and breaks from studying.
Accommodation facilities: University residences, ensuite rooms, shared flats, private houses, and purpose-built student accommodation facilities.
Most suitable for: Freshmen and international students who want to stay close to university facilities and events.
Garthdee
Garthdee is the most convenient area for RGU students since the new RGU campus is set in parkland next to the River Dee.
Reduced commuting: If you live in the area, you can save yourself the trouble of long commuting from northern Aberdeen.
Daily necessities: You have easy access to groceries, sports amenities, small stores, and Garthdee Alpine Sports.
Quiet area: The city centre is noisier than Garthdee, making it a good option for students who don't like noisy nights.
Best for: RGU students who prioritise being close to the university over the nightlife in the city centre.
Aberdeen City Center and Union Street
If you are a student looking for practical accommodation near transport, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment, then the city centre might be a good choice. The city centre can accommodate students from both universities, though if you study at RGU, you will need extra time and money to commute to Garthdee or Old Aberdeen.
Convenience: Union Street offers shops, banks, cafes, chemists, and other daily services.
Links to transport: Aberdeen railway station and important bus links enable movement both within and beyond Aberdeen.
Social facilities: Belmont Street, Union Square, and nearby streets offer restaurants, entertainment venues, and nightclubs.
Diverse accommodation types: Central student accommodation in Aberdeen includes shared flats, en-suite rooms, studios, and one-bedroom private houses.
King Street
King Street serves to connect central Aberdeen to the University of Aberdeen area. There are specialised apartments, supermarkets, cafes, and bus stops; therefore, this area is one of the most convenient for those attending classes at King’s College.
Proximity to the university: There are many accommodation options located close to the University of Aberdeen.
Sample rent prices: The rent price for apartments nearby is about £95 per week. In turn, the King Street accommodation price starts from £130 to £138 per week.
Amenities to consider: You can enjoy nearby shopping, takeaways, transportation, and utility services.
Some recommendations: Take into account the exact location because King Street is a relatively long street.
Rosemount
Rosemount is centrally located and has the feel of an established residential neighbourhood. It attracts students who want their own stores and cafes but don't want to live immediately next to the city’s busiest entertainment areas.
Local flavour: Known for its bakeries, cafes, shops, and established residential neighbourhoods.
Location advantage: Offers students proximity to central facilities while staying away from the city's busiest areas.
Housing choice: Flats and converted apartments are much more common than enormous university dorms.
Ideal for: Students who value a sense of community, local amenities, and a quiet environment.
How Much Does Student Housing Cost in Aberdeen?
Student rooms will be the biggest expense in the budget. The total cost depends on location, contract length, room type, facilities, and whether utility costs are included. Student apartments in Aberdeen currently starts at about £83 per week according to University Living, however, studios and high-end accommodation can cost more than £200 per week.
Shared rooms: Accommodation in standard rooms with communal kitchens and bathrooms is the cheapest choice.
En-suite accommodation: Accommodation which includes an en-suite bathroom, while still retaining a communal kitchen and living area.
Private studios: Accommodation which provides bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen in a single unit, usually more expensive.
Other costs: Check if heating, electricity, water, Internet, laundry, contents insurance and deposit is included.
Value of contract: A room at £110 for 51 weeks will have a total value of £5,610, while the same rate for 44 weeks will give a total of £4,840.
What Should Students Consider Before Booking?
Inexpensive accommodation doesn’t always equate to wise accommodation from economic point of view. Long distance, separate bills, deposit, and lengthy contract can make an inexpensive room more costly than other accommodations. It is necessary to review the entire contract prior to payment.
Distance to the university: Investigate the distance to your particular place of study, rather than “close to university”.
Heating facilities: Cold and windy weather conditions in Aberdeen can cause extra expenses on heating, therefore, accommodation with paid bills might be preferable.
Guarantor requirements: International students have to provide UK based guarantors or pay rent in advance.
Contract terms: Visa rejection, university rejection, late arrival, early termination of the contract are among the points to pay special attention to.
Room specification: Bed size, wardrobe size, study place, bathroom facilities, kitchen, laundry, bicycle storage and communal facilities.
Is Aberdeen Safe for Students?
As a rule, Aberdeen is regarded as a student-oriented city; yet, the level of safety can vary from one area to another. It is necessary for students to examine the real accommodation site when one intends to get back home in the evening after classes, work, or other social events.
Check out the recent data about the neighbourhood provided by Police Scotland.
Examine the route from the accommodation site to the university and bus stops.
It is vital to ensure that there will be reliable entry to the accommodation site with proper lighting and surveillance systems.
How Can Students Travel Around Aberdeen?
Walking is useful in central areas, while buses link major neighbourhoods with both universities. Students who do not live near the universities have to factor in the cost of public transport into their housing expenses.
Services 1, 1B, 2, 18, 19, and 20 operate on behalf of the University of Aberdeen.
Services 1, 1A, 1B, and 2 provide passengers with access to RGU.
A student day pass costs £4.95, a weekly one costs £23.50, and a monthly one costs £81 in 2026.
Eligible individuals aged 21 years or below who reside in Scotland can travel by bus for free using their National Entitlement Card.
What Is Student Life in Aberdeen Like?
The student life in Aberdeen encompasses beaches, museums, theatres, parks, restaurants, sporting facilities, and cultural societies. This diversity gives students an opportunity to enjoy the city without making the nightlife the only means of having fun.
Experience Aberdeen Beach, Footdee, Duthie Park, and Seaton Park.
Tour Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen Maritime Museum, and the historical streets of Aberdeen.
Participate in university sporting groups, cultural societies, volunteering programmes, and professional networking forums.
RGU revealed that 1,582 students took part in societies, groups, and networks, while 1,160 students joined sports clubs. More than 330 events have been organized by Students’ Union of the university and university departments in the reporting year.
The cultural institutions in Aberdeen had received 405,238 visits in 2025/26, out of which 224,232 visits were to Aberdeen Art Gallery, and 81,417 visits to the Maritime Museum. These numbers show that there is much variety of cultural events taking place outside of university campuses.
Where to Live in Aberdeen as a Student?
For the University of Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen is the perfect choice, whereas for RGU, Garthdee is the best option. For the active lifestyle, the city center is recommended, Rosemount gives local flavor, and Ferryhill fits quiet life better.
The final choice depends on your rent, contract sum, transport times, bills included, and comfortable conditions. Investigating all these points beforehand will make it possible to find an appropriate place to live.
