found 17 places to stay
Aberdeen sits on Scotland's north-east coast, where the River Dee meets the North Sea. It's Scotland's third-largest city, known for its granite architecture, a compact and walkable centre, and the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen. Students are drawn here for its calmer pace, lower cost of living compared with Glasgow or Edinburgh, and a strong sense of community — over 28,680 students are currently enrolled across the city's institutions, primarily the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University, of which 23,930 are domestic and 4,750 are international students.
Aberdeen's quieter character sets it apart from Scotland's bigger cities, and it's often exactly what students end up appreciating most about studying here. Demand for accommodation still holds steady each year, particularly ahead of the September intake, though Aberdeen's PBSA market offers a reasonably wide range of options compared with some other UK cities. Booking early remains the best way to secure good rent and location. UniAcco lists 17 verified student properties in Aberdeen, with weekly rents typically starting around £85/week depending on room type, location and amenities — all fully furnished, with bills included and no hidden charges.
|
Overview |
Details |
|
Average weekly rent |
£130/week |
|
Student population |
28,680 |
|
Top universities |
University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University, North East Scotland College, University of the Highlands and Islands |
|
Popular student areas |
Old Aberdeen, Garthdee, City Centre, Rosemount, Ruthrieston |
|
Best room types |
Ensuite, Studio, Non-Ensuite, Apartments |
|
Best time to book |
January–May for the September intake |
Rent on purpose-built student accommodation in Aberdeen typically includes utilities like Wi-Fi, electricity and water as standard, so there are no surprise bills mid-term. Properties cluster around each university: University of Aberdeen students tend to choose historic Old Aberdeen, a short distance from campus, while Robert Gordon University students often favour Garthdee on the banks of the River Dee. City Centre properties suit those who want easy access to nightlife, part-time jobs and transport links.
Safety measures like 24/7 security, on-site management teams and responsive maintenance keep day-to-day issues manageable, and living in PBSAs means being around peers from the start, with organised community events and shared social spaces. The booking insights below show which room types students in Aberdeen choose most often.
Average weekly rent across all bookings: £130
42% of students choose non-ensuite rooms, averaging £98/week — the most popular option
39% choose ensuite rooms, averaging £134/week
19% choose studios, averaging £190/week
|
Room Type |
What It Includes |
Average Weekly Rent |
|
Ensuite Room |
Private bedroom with shared kitchen and living area |
£134/week |
|
Non-Ensuite Room |
Private bedroom with shared bathroom, kitchen and living area |
£98/week |
|
Studio Room |
Private bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette in one self-contained space |
£190/week |
|
One-Bed Apartment |
Separate bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom |
£210/week |
Studying in an affordable student city is one of the biggest factors students consider when studying abroad. This is important since they are living on a student budget. And Aberdeen is considered budget-friendly compared to many other UK student cities. The average Aberdeen student apartments on UniAcco range from around ££85 per week. This helps students manage their overall living expenses more comfortably. Take a look at the top 10 affordable student accommodation Aberdeen:
What actually makes student accommodation worth choosing in Aberdeen? Students now understand that finding the right accommodation doesn’t end at having a cheap room in the city. They want fully furnished rooms, all-inclusive bills, fast WiFi, gyms, study spaces, modern amenities and a place that has good transport links. Now, this is what makes the best student accommodation Aberdeen. And when you book through UniAcco, this is exactly what you get. The properties listed below are among the most booked and highly rated student homes on UniAcco, and yes, they are shared by real students who’ve actually lived there.
Old Aberdeen is just 12 minutes from the University of Aberdeen's main campus, which makes it almost exclusively popular with first-year students. A nearby Tesco covers groceries, and regular bus routes make it easy to reach the rest of the city.
A quiet residential area next to the River Dee. RGU is 2 minutes on foot, while the University of Aberdeen is roughly 4 miles away, better suited to a bus or bike ride. This is a common choice for second-, third- and final-year students, with Sainsbury's and ASDA both nearby for groceries.
Situated along the River Dee, Garthdee is only 8 minutes from Robert Gordon University. It's a popular pick for first- and second-year nursing, engineering and architecture students, and the Brig o' Dee is a well-known local spot for hangouts.
A lively, well-connected area popular with second- and third-year students who want to be close to everything. University of Aberdeen is a 35-minute walk or a short bus ride away. Morrisons and Lidl are both nearby, alongside cinemas and restaurants.
A characterful neighbourhood known for its granite tenement flats, many converted into student housing. The University of Aberdeen is 37 minutes away, and a Co-op alongside independent grocers and bakeries makes day-to-day shopping easy. The area has a strong, homely community feel.
|
Institution |
QS World University Rankings 2027 |
Location |
Main Focus Areas |
Recommended Accommodation |
|
University of Aberdeen |
288 |
King's College campus, Old Aberdeen |
Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business, Humanities |
Pittodrie Street, Linksfield |
|
Robert Gordon University |
1001-1200 |
Garthdee campus |
Business, Computing, Engineering, Health Sciences |
Caledon Court |
|
North East Scotland College |
- |
Aberdeen City Campus (also Fraserburgh & Altens) |
Vocational Courses, Hospitality, Construction, Computing |
Fraser Studios, St Peter Studios |
Travel times from each student area to the main campuses:
|
Area |
University of Aberdeen (Old Aberdeen) |
Robert Gordon University (Garthdee) |
Foresterhill (Medical) |
|
City Centre |
Bus – 15 Min |
Bus – 25 Min |
Bus – 23 Min |
|
Old Aberdeen |
Walk – 12 Min |
Subway – 43 Min |
Bus – 36 Min |
|
Torry |
Train – 28 Min |
Bus – 38 Min |
Bus – 32 Min |
|
Garthdee |
Bus – 45 Min |
Walk – 8 Min |
Bus – 44 Min |
|
Mode |
Best For |
Cost / Pass |
Key Tip |
|
Walking |
Hillhead ↔ King's/Old Aberdeen only |
Free |
Doesn't work well for Garthdee or Foresterhill — too far to walk daily |
|
Cycling |
City centre ↔ King's College or Foresterhill; Garthdee ↔ city centre |
Free (own bike) or AUSA hire scheme |
Best all-round option if you're not sure which campus you'll be based at |
|
Free campus shuttle (9U) |
Hillhead ↔ Old Aberdeen ↔ Foresterhill only |
Free |
Doesn't serve Garthdee (RGU) at all — RGU students need First Bus instead |
|
First Bus (route 20) |
City Centre ↔ Old Aberdeen ↔ Hillhead Halls |
Single journey £2.25 |
Best for King's College students; not useful for Garthdee or Foresterhill |
|
First Bus (routes 1 & 2) |
City Centre ↔ Garthdee (RGU) |
Single/day fare; free under 22 with Young Scot NEC |
The main route for RGU students; doesn't reach King's College or Foresterhill |
|
Stagecoach |
Aberdeenshire ↔ city or Garthdee, for any campus |
MegaRider student tickets |
Best for students commuting in from outside the city, regardless of campus |
|
Train |
Longer trips, weekend travel home |
16–25 Railcard: ? off |
Same for all students — station is central to all three campuses |
Historic Pubs: Aberdeen's pub scene stretches back centuries — Ma Cameron's has been pouring pints for over 300 years and remains one of the oldest pubs in the city, a common stop for freshers. Siberia Bar is another student favourite, known for its relaxed atmosphere and extensive vodka selection.
Live Music & Clubs: Krakatoa, running since 1965, is where students head for live rock, punk gigs and late-night DJ sets. ATIK Aberdeen and Club Tropicana are the go-to spots for bigger nights out on the dancefloor.
Arts & Culture: The Lemon Tree hosts stand-up comedy, theatre and live music throughout the year, and Union Terrace Gardens offers a stretch of Victorian parkland in the middle of the city for relaxing between lectures.
Sports & Outdoors: Aberdeen has a beach suited to walks or runs, a golf scene that draws visitors internationally, and the Aberdeen Sports Village, which covers most of what students need to stay active in one place.
The best student accommodation in Aberdeen goes to those who book before the rush. The best-located, most affordable properties in areas like Old Aberdeen, Ruthrieston and Garthdee tend to sell out early, particularly for the September intake.
|
Intake |
Recommended Booking Period |
|
September |
January–May |
|
January |
August–October |
UniAcco lists 17 verified properties in Aberdeen, each checked for accuracy before going live, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. A dedicated student support team is available 24/7, from initial enquiry through to move-in day, helping students book with confidence.