At the core of our University is our mission to transform people and communities through the delivery of teaching excellence, the impact of our research, our focus on enterprise and to contribute to economic, social and cultural development, and environmental sustainability.
Our community
Our community of staff, students and alumni are the driving force behind our mission. Their commitment, diversity and vibrancy broadens our creativity, innovation and curiosity.
- 18,000 students studying on campus and online.
- 152 student nationalities represented.
- An international graduate community of 80,000 across the globe.
- Recognised by the Advance HE Athena Swan Charter for our commitment to advancing gender equality with an Athena Swan Bronze Award.
Sustainability commitment
Through our campus operations, teaching, research, partnerships and services, we are focused on driving activity that creates a sustainable future both for our own University community and wider society.
- 2nd in Scotland for People and Planet.
- Green Gown Awards Finalist.
- Globally recognised by THE Impact 2024 rankings.
Teaching, learning and the student experience
First class learning environment
We’ve invested £120 million into the development of state-of-the-art buildings, facilities and workspaces to inspire innovation and help prepare our students in their future career.
Delivering teaching excellence
From undergraduate to postgraduate and short courses, we offer over 300 subjects developed in close collaboration with industry to ensure they are demand driven and tailored to current and future skills needs.
- 2nd in Scotland and top 10 in the UK for teaching quality (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
- 3rd in Scotland and top 10 in the UK for satisfaction with teaching (Good University Guide 2024).
- 3rd in Scotland* for learning opportunities, and assessment and feedback (National Student Survey 2023).
An unforgettable student experience
Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and their time at RGU stretches far beyond the lecture theatres and library.
- 3rd in Scotland for learning opportunities (National Student Survey, 2024).
- Top 10 in the UK and top 3 in Scotland for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024 and 2025 respectively).
- 3rd in Scotland for student support (Daily Mail 2025).
- STAR Award for 2024 for outstanding student support (University Alliance Awards 2024).
- Top 5 in Scotland for Student Experience (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).
Leading employability
We are committed to ensuring that when our students graduate, they’re ready for whatever path they take into the future.
- 4th in Scotland for highly skilled jobs (Daily Mail 2025).
- 97% graduate employability (latest national Graduate Outcomes Survey).
- Top 3 in Scotland for positive graduate outcomes (latest Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Widening access to higher education
We work with communities across Scotland to inspire, support and enable people from all backgrounds to pursue their ambitions through degree education and professional employment.
- We work with all regional schools, including 27 partner RGU HUB schools, collaborating with teachers and pupils from S1 to S6 to support and encourage a positive journey to higher education.
- We welcomed 2,000 pupils across our senior and junior widening access programme in the last year.
- We partner with 7 colleges across Scotland, offering over 445 varying pathways to support students to progress from further to higher education.
Research and knowledge exchange
Solving global challenges
Through our research strategy we are focused on growing our interdisciplinary research expertise and working collaboratively with public, private and third sector organisations to solves some of society’s most pressing issues.
- 5 key research themes: Environment, Energy and Sustainability; Health and Wellbeing; Living in a Digital World; Inclusive and Creative Societies; and Pedagogy.
- 464 research outputs in the 2023/24 year to sustain research of public value.
- 4.2m in research revenue in the 2023/24 year, delivering projects that address global sustainability challenges.
An inclusive research culture
Fostering an inclusive research culture is integral to our research strategy and enables us to grow our interdisciplinary research expertise.
- 9 Chancellor Fellowships appointed for 5 years to advance research expertise.
- 4 Research Champions appointed to lead four interdisciplinary themes. Ambition to increase size and diversity of RGU’s doctoral research community through new appointments and PhD staff.
- Academic of the year (Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards 2024).
Sharing our knowledge and expertise
We pursue partnerships and deliver knowledge exchange across all sectors and support organisations, to address business and service challenges through access to our expertise and facilities.
- £7.3m in engagement in the 2023/24 year to work with organisations as part of our contribution to economic and social development.
- Outstanding Business Engagement in Universities (Herald Higher Education Awards 2023).
- £1.2m hydrogen testing facility established at the National Subsea Centre (NSC).
Economic, social and cultural development
Working in partnership
We work collaboratively to enhance employability, harness skills, and drive forward innovation to support a transition to a prosperous and greener economy.
- We are a strategic partner supporting new venture creation and sustainable employment in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles as part of the £5.9m TalEntEd Islands Growth Deal.
- RGU Orkney Strategy is helping the islands to thrive socially and economically over the next five years.
Driving entrepreneurship
We promote entrepreneurship and innovation in recognition of the important role that entrepreneurial business growth plays in economic development and diversification.
- Helped 273 entrepreneurs launch over 150 companies since 2018 through our Startup Accelerator.
- 44% of new businesses launched through our Start Up Accelerator are female-led.
- Innovation Award finalist (University Alliance Awards 2024).
- Strengthening support for entrepreneurship and contributing to the creation of a regional mentor pilot programme by working with economic development body Opportunity North East (ONE) and other partners.
- 7 Women in Business programmes delivered since 2021, supporting 80 entrepreneurial mothers to develop businesses, startup skills and grow confidence.
Creating inclusive and creative societies
We are committed to enhancing Scotland’s prosperity and wellbeing, and work in partnership with community groups and third sector organisations to improve the quality of life for all.
- Working in partnership to deliver clinics in the community to offer vital services free of charge - Climate Clinic, Physiotherapy Clinic and Orkney Community Clinic.
- We have established Scotland’s first holistic, student-led law clinic at the medical practice in Torry, Aberdeen.
- We make sport accessible across our community and are a leading provider of health and social care education to promote a healthy society.
- Engaging young people across the region through delivery of free sport and creativity sessions to reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour while improving health and wellbeing, encouraging inclusivity through sport and developing aspirations of youngsters – Streetsport in partnership with Denis Law Legacy Trust.
- We are a pivotal partner in the North East of Scotland’s creative sector & community. Led by Gray’s School of Art and its dedicated creative unit, Look Again.
- Mobile Art School outreach programme delivered to schools across the North East of Scotland to improve awareness of creative industries.