Abertay University

Overview

Abertay University is perhaps best known for its strong focus on computer games and art design. It is the only UK university with official accreditation in both these fields, and has a partnership with Peking University in China for games. The University is also academically strong in the areas of IT, as well as business, economics and biotechnology.

Abertay is a campus University based in Dundee in eastern Scotland with over 4,500 students enrolled. Many of the courses and buildings are modern, with a high-tech approach to learning common throughout the five schools and one institute which act as departments and faculties for the University. It also features numerous specialist departments in areas such as wood technology, urban water systems and bioinformatics. Abertay University has built up many strong industrial links with companies such as Sony, Microsoft, Rare and Codemasters.

Services for International Students

International students represent almost 20% of the student population, from over 60 countries. Abertay University offers English courses during, before and between terms at the University, allowing new students to develop and improve their English skills.

International students also benefit from an International Guide. Written by the University with international students in mind, the guide contains helpful information on a variety of subjects including visas, banking, the local climate and medical help.

Ranking

• 74th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 79th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• Abertay has been ranked in the UK top 10 for student experience and 11th in the UK for teaching quality in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
• Abertay was UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality – Sunday Times 2021

Abertay University was the first university in the UK to offer a suite of Computer Games degrees as well as the first to offer Ethical Hacking. Abertay is regarded as the gold standard for the Cybersecurity offering. The University also have 39 world-class degrees that cover subjects such as Biomedical Science, Forensic Science, Food Science, Law, Sports, Psychology and Accounting and many degrees rank highly in the UK for quality, academics, teaching, assessment and student satisfaction.

Abertay recorded a 23% increase in research that is ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’ since the last REF in 2014 – the biggest climb of any Scottish university, according to its analysis. 

All of the ‘impact case study’ examples Abertay provided for Art & Design and Engineering were assessed as having ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ real-world reach and significance. 

Accommodation

There are a number of options for student residential accommodation, either privately owned or directly leased by the University. All first-year Abertay students are given priority for accommodation.

Abertay University has four self-catering residences. The size of accommodation varies from single bedsits to multi-occupancy flats and are all located within easy walking or travelling distance to the University. The self-catering flats are furnished and complete with standard kitchen facilities. 24-hour campus security is also available.

Location

Abertay University campus is located in the centre of the historic city of Dundee, the fourth largest city in Scotland. Dundee has been awarded the UNESCO City of Design title, the first and only city in the UK, recognised for its rich history of innovation and creativity, and recently becoming the hub for digital industries. Dundee is also promoted as the City of Discovery, in honour of Dundee's history of scientific activities and of the RRS Discovery of Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic exploration vessel, which was built in Dundee and is now berthed in the city harbour.

Biomedical and technological industries have arrived since the 1980s, and the city now accounts for 10 per cent of the United Kingdom's digital entertainment industry.

Alumni

• David Jones (Founder of Rockstar North)
• Joe FitzPatrick (Scottish MSP)
• Nick Mercer (Lead singer of Sergeant)