The Scottish Degree System
Although Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, it has its own separate system of higher education. The Scottish higher education system is distinguished from that of England by the duration of undergraduate studies and the increased flexibility afforded to undergraduate students during the first two years of university.
Duration and Flexibility
University of Aberdeen
Whereas undergraduate degrees in England are generally three years in duration, in Scotland an honours level undergraduate degree is fours year. Also, unlike in England, where students usually specialise in one subject from their first year of study, in Scotland students can choose to study different subjects during their first two years before deciding on which one(s) to specialise.
The Scottish system has always been well regarded internationally and many of its distinguishing traditions – including the length and structure of undergraduate degrees – have since been adopted by other countries including the United States and Canada.
Degree Programmes
The Master of Arts (MA) is the name given to the four year undergraduate degree awarded in the Liberal Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences by the University of Aberdeen and the other ancient universities of Scotland – St Andrews, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
The use of the word Master is a historical quirk, as it was intended to distinguish the four year system in Scotland from the three year undergraduate degree in England. The four year Master of Arts is recognised as the equivalent to a four year Bachelor’s degree in the US and Canada.
Graduate level programmes are called a Master of Letters (MLitt), if awarded in the Arts and Social Sciences, or a Master of Science (MSc), if awarded in the Sciences or Engineering. Similarly, there are other variations awarded at graduate level such as the LLM (Law), MBA (Business), MEd (Education) etc.
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) is the name given to the four year undergraduate degree in the Sciences. Other degree programmes offered at the University of Aberdeen, include the Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)/Master of Engineering (MEng), Bachelor of Music (BMus), Bachelor of Divinity (BD), Bachelor of Law (LLB), and the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
Degree Structure
Undergraduate programmes at the University of Aberdeen are based on a credit system, where students accumulate credits over the four years of their studies. A full-time student generally takes 60 credits per semester (half session), which equates to 120 credits per year. Most classes equate to 15 credits, which means a student can generally expect to take up to four 15 credit point courses per semester (or equivalent).
All degree programmes have core courses, but you will also have the opportunity to take classes in other subjects of interest to you. MA Honours students can specialise in their third and fourth years in one particular subject (Single Honours) or in two (Joint Honours). You can also take an Honours degree in which you add a ‘minor’ subject l to your ‘major’ subject.
Changing your Major
The tradition in Scotland is to admit students to a degree programme rather than to a particular subject or course. While you list a specific programme on your application, essentially you will be admitted to the relevant degree programme rather than a particular subject.
This means that in most cases it is possible to switch to another subject (major) within your degree programme after you have begun your studies. For example, a student who had originally intended to study English might end up graduating with a degree in History or International Relations, while a student who originally studied Biology might switch to a subject such as Geography (subject to the normal perquisites).
The Aberdeen Difference – Enhanced Study
Aberdeen University
As well as offering a great deal of flexibility in terms of changing your major, The University of Aberdeen also provides a wide range of Enhanced Study options to all our students.
These include options such as the exciting Sixth Century Courses, which give you the opportunity to explore topical issues from a range of disciplinary perspectives, to Sustained Study Programmes, which allow you to focus more closely on a specific area of study (such as a language) in addition to your main subject (major).
Alternatively, you may choose to pick up your Enhanced Study options through studying another mainstream course drawn from one of the wide range of courses offered.
Learning and Assessment
The academic culture in Scotland is very much focused on independent learning and this is reflected in the number of contact hours students have with teaching staff. Courses are delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory classes (where relevant). Lectures are normally held in large auditoriums or lecture halls and consist mainly of a one-way presentation by a Professor. Lectures outline the subject matter and lay the foundations on which you are expected to explore further through your independent reading and study.
Lectures are usually supplemented by tutorials, which provide an opportunity for discussion in a smaller group setting. Unlike lectures, tutorials are based on small groups and provide more opportunities for discussion and interaction amongst students. Some courses also include seminar classes, which alongside regular lectures and tutorials offer further opportunity for in depth discussion.
Most courses are assessed through a combination of continuous assessment and end of term exams. Exams consist usually of a two hour written paper, however this can vary by discipline, which means you are required to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the course material through a number of essay-style answers.
How to Apply
International students applying for admission to a full undergraduate degree programme at the University of Aberdeen apply online via UCAS. UCAS is a centralised application system, which allows you to apply to up to five different institutions/courses throughout the UK on a single application form. To apply through UCAS, visit www.ucas.com
Applicants from the United States can apply either through UCAS or the Common App. Please note that you may only use one method of application.
Transfer Students
We very much welcome transfer applications from students at overseas colleges or universities who wish to transfer to the University of Aberdeen to complete their undergraduate degree.
Transfer applicants apply through UCAS. Your application will then be assessed by the relevant Admissions Selector, who will determine the stage of the degree programme here you can transfer into, based on your previous studies.
The exact entry requirements for transferring will therefore vary, depending on your major and the number of credits that can be accepted. Successful transfer applicants may be admitted to 1st, 2nd or 3rd year. It is not normally possible to transfer to the final year of a 4 year degree.
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