A short history of medical degrees in the University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen University was the first university in Great Britain to recognise the teaching of medicine by the creation of a teaching post, that of "mediciner." It was first occupied by James Cumyne, the burgh medical officer. The first medical degree granted by the university was doctus in medicina--learned in medicine. The degree was first awarded in 1630. The first examination paper for the M.D. was set in 1787 at the time of proposal to unit King's and Marischal Colleges and following criticism of the sale of degrees in medicine and midwifery "for ready money." The present degrees of M.B., ChB. were introduced in 1895.