About
The University of Aberdeen is a public research university in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was founded in 1495 when William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland, petitioned Pope Alexander VI on behalf of James IV, King of Scots to establish King's College, making it one of Scotland's four ancient universities and the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. Along with the universities of St Andrews, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, the university was part of the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century.
Ranked Top 201 worldwide across 4 major ranking systems
Ranked in 96 subject rankings
Ranking Overview
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
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Key Facts
Historical Trend
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
Top Subjects
Subject Rankings
QS
38 subjectsARWU
30 subjectsTHE
11 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Sciences | 126–150 | 57.0 | 2026 |
| Clinical & Health | 151–175 | 51.0 | 2026 |
| Arts & Humanities | 151–175 | 43.2 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences | 201–250 | 44.4 | 2026 |
| Business & Economics | 201–250 | 44.9 | 2026 |
| Psychology | 201–250 | 45.3 | 2026 |
| Law | 201–250 | 37.7 | 2026 |
| Engineering & Technology | 251–300 | 45.5 | 2026 |
| Physical Sciences | 251–300 | 47.7 | 2026 |
| Education | 251–300 | 40.6 | 2026 |
| Computer Science | 301–400 | 41.5 | 2026 |
US News
17 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Oncology | =172 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Agricultural Sciences | =186 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Molecular Biology and Genetics | =234 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Environment/Ecology | =237 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Plant and Animal Science | =264 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Economics and Business | 323 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Public, Environmental and Occupational Health | =334 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Biology and Biochemistry | =366 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Clinical Medicine | =369 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Geosciences | 384 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Energy and Fuels | =391 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Psychiatry/Psychology | =411 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences and Public Health | =428 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Neuroscience and Behavior | 445 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Engineering | =514 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Computer Science | =629 | 56.3 | 2026 |
| Chemistry | =981 | 56.3 | 2026 |