466 Robert Gordon University reviews

RGU is a place where students can easily settle in whether they're studying for UG or PG courses. The amount of help and resources available is staggering. From study to mental wellbeing there's a lot of resources students can use. There is so much support from lecturers as well.

My best experience would be personal support from tutors and the health and well-being team I haven’t really had any bad experiences

I studied MSc Digital Marketing at RGU, academic session 2021/22. The course leader and lecturers were friendly, knowledgable and always happy to help with any course enquiries. They also responded promptly to emails which improved my overall learning experience and student satisfaction. The course content was extremely relevant and well structured which enhanced my digital knowledge and skill set. The degree is definitely worth pursuing in current times where marketing is moving towards the digital side. It included very practical experience as we created digital marketing and social media strategies for live clients such as Police Scotland and Cocoa Ooze. RGU’s employability team was another positive aspect as they constantly highlighted internship/placement opportunities on social media platforms. As part of my course, I undertook a Digital Marketing placement which not only enhanced my skills but I was able to give examples of this experience in my future interviews. In terms of the facilities at RGU, they were of high standard with a decent library and work spaces in Aberdeen Business School. There are also I.T labs as well as a wide range of sports facilities including a gym and swimming pool. However, there are no major social spaces neither a student bar/club which majority of universities tend to have. In terms of the student life, the university is extremely quiet and doesn’t have many events that allow students to socialise with one another. The city atmosphere and nightlife in Aberdeen also does not compare to big cities like London and Manchester. Finally, there are hardly any shops, cafes or restaurants within RGU or the area Garthdee itself which makes it lifeless and uneventful. In regard to finding a part time job in Aberdeen, it was extremely difficult. I understand Covid may have negatively impacted this but majority of companies hiring would reject applications straight away and only voluntary opportunities are available. This was an extremely stressful experience as I had to use thousands of pounds of my own savings and there were no scholarships or funding options for English students, in particular. I was genuinely worried about how I would sustain my living in Aberdeen. The Student Ambassador scheme at RGU also had very little shifts and I was earning extremely little amounts of money from this. Opportunities for paid part-time jobs are crucial as students have multiple expenses. In terms of Aberdeen itself, it is quite a small place with Union Street and two main shopping centres however, several shops are now closing down and it gets tiring going to the same shops with the same stock. There are a few walking/hiking places on the outskirts and in Aberdeenshire which were nice however, transport links are quite poor. When travelling in Aberdeen City Centre itself, myself and my friend (of British - South Asian background) were constantly stared at by Scottish people when walking around Aberdeen or on public transport like buses. We were looked at in a negative way whenever we spoke in an English accent and felt that people had some sort of dislike towards our accent or the fact that we were from a different national and/or ethnic background from them. This made us extremely uncomfortable impacting our overall experience. Based on my experiences with the local people, I would never live, study or work in Aberdeen again. The city experience is a crucial factor when deciding to study or reside somewhere. Overall, my experience at RGU was good due to the course, helpful staff members, placement options and the teaching/learning facilities. However, there needs to be many improvements in terms of bringing students together through social spaces and events as well as bringing life into both the Garthdee area and Aberdeen itself.

Good uni for independent student living

Great new friends. Amazing work environment and very supportive teachers. Could have a slightly better canteen in my building but still loving uni❤️

The support system the school has is one of my best aspects of my university experience. There’s easily accessible help for any struggle, whether with course material, career and jobs, personal issues, disabilities or difficulties etc. I don’t really have any negatives

When things go right Robert Gordons University is fine enough. When you encounter problems do not expect any help. Polite sympathetic noises from the good staff, as few as they are. I highly regret taking a course at this university. The stress of their officious and bureaucratic culture is too much. They have made decisions on what they think students want and don't care what students actually need. No appeals, no help. It is clear that, if you don't fit in their box, tough, leave. There are two types of study spaces: open halls or a small, crowded library. The WiFi is patchy. What few facilities there are often close mid-afternoon of they ever open at all. Despite getting straight A grades, I have had a terrible experience. I have had staff say explicitly that they won't help if you find yourself in difficulty with immigration: the particular staff-member was totally unsympathetic. If you consider RGU, read every policy first as the staff members 'eyes role back into their head, they will chant the policies as though possessed. And there are a lot of policies to protect the university from students. Nothing is guaranteed. The university stacks as many students into their courses as they can. They don't nearly have the facilities to handle student's needs. Timetables are not optimised for student experience. Don't fall for their awards: tick-box frameworks based of paper evidence. If I could start again, I would choose anywhere but RGU.

Overall my experience at RGU has been enjoyable and I would definetely go back for my postgraduate studies. The accomodation and living expenses when budgeted well is good.

RGU and particularly Aberdeen has so much to offer for international Student in every aspect. RGU is extremely supportive through the application process. The ‘Contact a Student’ platform, in particular, was remarkable. The tutors are always ready to help and go beyond expectation to help you. Always feel free to reach out to RGU respective teams for anything you need guidance in, you will get the best advice.

With all that's happened with the coronovirus, the university has been there to support students regardless of the restrictions at the time. Of course it's difficult for all students at the moment, but RGU has done well to adapt teaching practice.