Today, it provides corporate office space and public access to council services, adjacent to the Town House, the city's historic seat of local government.

After a number of unsuccessful proposals, the majority of the building was leased to Aberdeen City Council to be restored and refurbished as office accommodation.

The original charter of the university was lost by the early 18th century, but two near-contemporary copies exist – one of which was accepted by the courts in 1756 as being authentic.

A large stained-glass window dominates the hall, executed by TR Spence of London and representing the university's history.

They considered the unification as essential for the educational system of Northern Scotland although they disagreed with the proposed method of merger laid down by the last commission.

The building standing today, which replaced a number of older structures, was constructed between 1837 and 1844 by Aberdeen architect Archibald Simpson.

This 1837 building formed a U-shaped quadrangle, with a small entrance via an archway amidst unrelated housing on the west side.

Up to 2009, the only parts of the college building chiefly used by the university were the Mitchell Hall (for graduations, concerts and other events), the Marischal Museum, and the Anatomy department, which was used for 1st year medical students until March 2009.

In 2006 plans were announced for the renovation of the college as new administrative headquarters for the Council to replace the ageing St. Nicholas House across the street.

[15] The University leased the Marischal College site to Aberdeen City Council for 175 years in exchange for £4.7 million.

The university retained the north wing comprising the Mitchell Hall, debating chamber and associated rooms, although as of May 2012 these are not yet open for use.

In Spring 2011, the city erected outside Marischal College a statue of King Robert the Bruce on horseback, holding up a charter.