Robert Gordon University, UK

Routinely acknowledged as UK’s top modern university, Robert Gordon University offers 300 study programmes to 16,000 students from 130 countries: SUMMIYA YASMEEN

The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen (RGU, estb.1992) is routinely acknowledged as UK’s top ‘modern university’. According to the Times Good University Guide 2013, RGU is the #1 modern university in the UK, while The Guardian University Guide 2013 ranks it as the best modern university in Scotland and #2 in the UK. More importantly, RGU is ranked as the best university for graduate employability (97.7 percent) in the UK by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 

Tracing its origins to an educational institution founded in the 18th century by Robert Gordon, a prosperous Aberdeen merchant, RGU is well-reputed for its professional, technical and artistic industry-linked degree programmes. Its three faculties — the Aberdeen Business School, faculty of design and technology and faculty of health and social care — offer more than 300 study programmes to 16,000-plus full and part-time students from 130 countries. In particular with Aberdeen hosting over 3,000 energy companies employing over 100,000 oil and gas industries professionals, RGU offers several study programmes in energy management and engineering. 
“Robert Gordon University which has a heritage going back 250 years, was granted university status in 1992. Since then, we have gone from strength to strength, proactively engaging with business and industry to jointly develop many degree courses to meet regional and national needs at a time of constant change and development. As a result, we have a reputation for producing graduates who are highly sought after by employers,” says Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, principal and vice chancellor of RGU.

Aberdeen. Nestled on the coast at the confluence of the rivers Dee and Don, Aberdeen (pop.223,000) is Scotland’s third largest city and arguably Europe’s energy capital. Renowned for its splendid granite architecture, it sparkles on the rim of the North Sea, and is backed by cultivated farmland, wild moors, scenic beaches and rugged hills. Its buoyant economy is the result of diverse commercial activities including industry, trade, tourism, farming and fishing. In recent times, it has become a hub of the world’s offshore energy network and administrative and technical centre of the North Sea oil-fields.

With a student population of over 30,000, Aberdeen caters to diverse cultural, leisure and entertainment needs. A magnificent Edwardian theatre routinely attracts international companies offering ballet, theatre, opera and light entertainment, while concert halls feature classical, contemporary and rock groups. Well-maintained museums and art galleries display visual arts, local heritage and host visiting exhibitions. Getting about is easy with the city municipal council maintaining an excellent bus service. Rail, road and air services link Aberdeen with other British cities — flying time to London is just over an hour. The weather is mostly cold and dry through the year with summer temperatures averaging between 9°C-20°C and winter between 0°C to 6°C.

Campus facilities. Set on the banks of the River Dee on the outskirts of the city, the university’s main Garthdee campus offers advanced teaching and learning facilities. Designed by renowned architect Norman Fraser, this recently constructed (£135 million) 57-acre campus hosts the Sir Ian Wood building which houses the library and departments of pharmacy, life sciences, computing and engineering, the Aberdeen Business School, faculty of health and social care, Gray’s School of Art and the Scott Sutherland faculty. The striking green glass library tower offers 250 workstations, multi-function devices for printing, photocopying and scanning and wifi facilities. 

The university’s £11-million RGU Sports building offers state-of-the-art facilities including a Sports Hall, 25-metre swimming pool, climbing wall and three gyms. The Sports Hall hosts nine badminton courts, three five-a-side football pitches, one full-sized netball court, three basketball training courts, one fencing piste, an indoor hockey pitch and three volleyball courts. Moreover, there are over 40 clubs and societies on campus which conduct a variety of social and cultural activities round the year.

Admission. All applications for entry into undergraduate degree programmes of RGU — as of other UK universities — have to be made through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service). Students can apply online on www.ucas.com. The university’s UCAS code is R36. Completed applications must be submitted to UCAS before January 15 for the academic year beginning September. The minimum eligibility criteria for undergraduate study are successful completion of Plus Two and English language proficiency (TOEFL and IELTS scores are generally acceptable). However for postgraduate study, applications must be made directly to the university.

For further information contact Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK. Ph: +44 1224 262726; email: [email protected]

Accommodation. RGU offers excellent purpose-built accommodation in the city and at its Garthdee campus. The varsity’s ten halls of residence offer self-catered apartments with community kitchens and living spaces typically shared by four-seven students. Some of the accommodation is en-suite, while the remainder offer shared washing and toilet facilities. Self-contained one-bedroom flats are also available. All accommodation offers hi-speed internet access.

Degree programmes. RGU’s three faculties offer a wide range of undergrad, postgraduate and doctoral programmes (see box).