Whether you come from far or live just around the corner of our Garthdee Campus, starting university is an exciting experience! A whole new chapter of your life opens at RGU, with endless possibilities. Despite the excitement, this can be a daunting time.
That’s why we have created this page especially for you! Here, you will find a collection of blogs sharing experiences of new RGU students, as well as useful resources and tips to help you settle in at university and in Aberdeen if you’re new to the city. Browse our blogs to start your journey with confidence.
5 things I wish I knew before starting university
RGU alumna Marisa discusses 5 things she wish she knew before starting university, covering allareas from using the bus services to making friends with locals. In this blog post I will share with you 5 things I wish I knew before starting university. There are obviously many more things to do while at university, however these are some of the…
RGU’s Garthdee Campus
Whether it’s a stroll down the riverside or a study session on the top floor of the library, RGU’s Garthdee Campus has something for everyone. Learn more about our facilities, the history of our buildings and the must see places to visit on campus. RGU’s campus is located in the south-west of the city and in recent years we have…
How support at RGU helped me settle in after moving from Mexico
International student Oliva moved to Aberdeen to study a master’s at RGU. She shares how she took advantage of the support at RGU to adapt to her new environment, and how the university’s support services helped her academically and personally. Moving abroad to study at RGU Hi! I’m Oliva Sanchez, originally from Mexico City and currently living in Aberdeen. I…
5 things to do as a student in Aberdeen
Whether you’re living in Aberdeen for the first time or already live in our sparkling city, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in between attending university and studying. We’re talking epic outdoor adventures, delicious local food and drink, insta-worthy castles, year-round festivals and events, and of course, a vibrant nightlife scene! Here are just five of our top things you…
How to make Aberdeen your home away from home as an international student
Moving to a new country and having to adapt to a new culture can be nerve-wracking. To help you settle in Aberdeen, we asked international students at RGU their top tips on how to make the Granite City your home away from home. 1. Create a community of international students RGU has a huge international community as the university welcomes…
My top 5 tips for moving into student accommodation
Moving into RGU accommodation is a great choice as you will meet plenty of other students who are on the same journey as you are! RGU student Frankie shares five tips to make the most out of your time in student halls. 1. Find your flatmates When you apply for accommodation you get the option to join a Facebook group…
Top tips to make friends at university
Moving away from home and making friends at University can be a daunting idea. Research shows it takes about 40 to 60 hours to create a casual friendship, 80 to 100 hours to develop an established friendship, and about 200 hours to become “good friends.” Making friends at University Stepping out of your comfort zone can be stressful even for…
Shopping for African food in Aberdeen
As an international student moving to or living in Aberdeen, you might wonder if you will be able to cook traditional food from your home country. RGU student Ibidunni Awe, from Nigeria, shares a few tips on where to find African food in Aberdeen, which may be easier than you thought! RGU is not affiliated with and does not endorse…
A Beginner’s Guide to Doric
Aye, aye, fit like? Fit div you ken aboot Doric? Dinna fash yersel, just hae a wee read o’ this tae ken mair: (Hello, what do you know about Doric? Don’t worry, just read this to find out more:) What is Doric? While English is the main language spoken in Scotland, the nation has a wide range of different accents and…
Volunteering at RGU – Everything you need to know
To celebrate Student Volunteering Week 2022, staff at RGU:Union tell us more about volunteering while studying at RGU. What are the different volunteering opportunities at RGU? You can find the majority of our volunteering opportunities at RGU with the Union. They include roles within societies, student groups and networks. But we also provide a volunteering platform where external providers can…
Why we are in love with Aberdeen
To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year we asked RGU students and graduates to let us know why they are in love with Aberdeen. From its beautiful beach to its vibrant social life, here are all the reasons to love the Granite City. A place surrounded by nature Aberdeen is a haven for nature-lovers. It is very easy to escape the…
From China to Aberdeen – Starting RGU as an international student
RGU welcomes 16,000 students every year from over 150 countries. First-year student Muyang He moved from China to Aberdeen last September to obtain a degree in Fashion Management at RGU. She discusses choosing to move abroad and shares her experience as a new student in Aberdeen. Why did you choose to move from China to Aberdeen to study Fashion Management…
Explore Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire through surprising facts
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have a rich history, with unique attractions, landmarks and locations. While studying at RGU, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the city and the region. To help you start, here is a list of surprising facts that will inspire you to embark on your own Aberdeen adventure! There are more castles per acre in Aberdeenshire…
Home away from home: Living in student accommodation at RGU
Master’s student Jhulia moved from Brazil to come study in Aberdeen and has been living in Ramsay Development, one of RGU’s student accommodation sites. She shares her experience moving into a new home and the benefits of living in halls. Planning my move into student accommodation I am a Brazilian student currently living in Scotland where I’m pursuing a Master’s…
How I boost my employability as an international student
Priscilla moved from Nigeria to Aberdeen to study a master’s in Pharmacy and has since been learning new skills and boosting her employability by taking advantage of the opportunities available at RGU. It’s one thing to study at university, it’s another thing to finish strong and well-equipped to face the workplace environment. RGU has demonstrated over the years that students…
LGBTQ+ life in Aberdeen
As the happiest city to live in the UK (Shawbrook Bank 2021), Aberdeen is an inclusive, diverse, and safe city. But how exactly is Aberdeen celebrating and supporting its LGBTQ+ community? Find out all about LGBTQ+ groups, venues, and events in this blog. RGU is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the businesses listed in the post.…
Building lifelong friendships via volunteering at RGU
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at RGU through our Student Union’s societies, groups, and networks. International Tourism Management student Alessia shares her experience volunteering with our sustainability group Go Green and building strong friendships along the way. Starting my volunteering journey Volunteering is not only a way to give back to the community but also an opportunity to…
How to handle culture shock as an International Student in Aberdeen
RGU welcomes students from 153 countries, so if you feel a bit lost after moving from your home country to Aberdeen, you’re probably not the only one! Experiencing culture shock is perfectly normal but there are some things you can do to settle in and make sure you have the best time possible at university. International student Unwana share her…
Travelling to and from Aberdeen when studying at RGU
If you’re thinking about studying at RGU, you may wonder where Aberdeen is in Scotland. And if you’re already a student here, you might be wondering what you can do nearby and how you can travel to other exciting locations direct from Aberdeen. But travelling to and from Aberdeen is easy! Here are some of your frequently asked travel questions…
Best study spots in Aberdeen
It can be hard to stay motivated when studying at home with so many distractions around. Working on your coursework and exams on campus, in a coffee shop or in a library gives you a change of scenery and has the added bonus of providing a warm environment without having to break the bank. Find out from our students what…
5 popular food spots in Aberdeen for students
Aberdeen has a unique food scene, with an international offering. We asked RGU students and alumni on Instagram what their favourite food spots in the Granite City are. Read this blog to discover five of the venues they recommended. RGU is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the businesses listed in the post. This post contains no…
Top tips for students starting at RGU
Starting university can be scary, but with the right support and advice it can be way easier to settle in. We asked our Instagram community to share their tips for new students starting at RGU this September. Find out more in this blog! Choose an early bus to get to campus RGU student Emma shares an important piece of advice:…
Stay in touch with all things RGU
During your time at university, we will regularly communicate with you to make sure you have the best experience possible. Here are the main channels we will use to provide you with the information you need, or want, to know:
- ✉️ Emails. This will be your main method of communication, especially with lecturers and support staff. Don’t forget to check your inbox daily to avoid missing important news.
- 💻 CampusMoodle. The platform provides easy access to learning resources, such as course and module information.
- 📰 The Student Bulletin. This weekly newsletter comes straight into your student inbox and gives you all the latest RGU news, as well as tips and insights from fellow students.
- 🗪 Social media. We are active on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Don’t hesitate to follow us to see how fun our community is!
And of course, you can subscribe to this student blog, named as one of the Top Education Blogs of 2022.