Aberdeen, University of, is a public, state-supported institution of higher education in Aberdeen, Scotland. The University of Aberdeen was the first university in the English-speaking world to establish a department in the field of medicine. Today, one of the university’s particular strengths is in the field of medical science. Medical research is a major focus for the university.
The university originally consisted of two colleges. King’s College was founded by Bishop William Elphinstone in 1495 as a place of higher education for doctors, clerics, and lawyers in Scotland. In 1593, George Keith, fourth Earl Marischal, founded Marischal College. The two colleges had different curriculums and tutoring systems. During the early 1600’s, the two colleges were briefly merged to form the King Charles University of Aberdeen, or the Caroline University. This union, however, was not popular, and the colleges separated again in the late 1600’s. The colleges were united again in 1860. Women were first admitted to the university in the early 1890’s, and by 1899, women comprised a quarter of all arts students.
The university’s website at https://www.abdn.ac.uk/ offers additional information.
