Aberdeen is a city of fascinating contrasts, with something for everyone. Its rich cultural heritage combines with a thriving contemporary community and a strong economic pulse, to make the "Granite City" a lively and rewarding place in which to live and study. In recent times, it has become the hub of the world's offshore energy network as the administrative and technical centre for the North Sea and beyond.
As a university city, Aberdeen has always taken the student population to its heart. It has much to offer in the way of entertainment and leisure, at a range of costs to suit every pocket. The city centre has several busy shopping malls and an eclectic mix of independent shops and top chain stores, as well as a wide choice of nightclubs, wine bars, traditional pubs and restaurants. Nightlife in the city is lively, vibrant, and full of variety. Cinema-goers also get plenty of choice.
Culturally, Aberdeen caters for all tastes. A magnificent Edwardian theatre attracts international companies performing ballet, theatre, opera and light entertainment. Many concert halls feature classical, contemporary, and rock concerts. Exceptional museums and an art gallery including the University's museums and collections, display the visual arts, local heritage and visiting exhibitions. The popular Lemon Tree attracts an exciting mixture of contemporary theatre, dance, comedy and music.
For fresh-air enthusiasts, there are miles of golden beaches, dunes and cliffs, which give shelter to great nurseries of seabirds and winter migrants; the nearby mountain ranges of the Cairngorms and the Grampians offer superb opportunities for hillwalking, mountaineering and skiing, and rivers such as the Dee, the Don, and the Ythan offer fishing, rowing and canoeing, as well as breathtaking scenery. Getting about is easy in Aberdeen. It has excellent bus services giving access to all parts of the city and suburbs.
Distances are short, and a pleasant walk or a brief cycle run are reliable alternatives. There are good rail, road and air links with other British cities - the flying time from London is just over an hour. You are assured of an enthusiastic welcome in Aberdeen from both the University and the wider community.