Abertay University

Overview

A small university located in Dundee, Abertay University offers students a friendly, welcoming environment. The campus itself is a blend of modern and historic buildings, offering specialist labs and modern study spaces alongside beautiful historic architecture. 

You’ll have no shortage of events to attend as an Abertay student. The Students Association have a wide range of societies to join, each one hosting regular social events. Societies bring together students with shared interests, with topics ranging from sports clubs to subject-specific to religion to hobbies. There’s also an extensive calendar of events around the city you can choose to attend outside of your university life and studies. 

As an old industrial city, Dundee is full of fascinating history. Living in Dundee, you’ll have the opportunity to uncover the city’s history, including the Verdant Works ex-mill, the Maritime Trail and the V&A Dundee. And once you’ve soaked up all that history, you’ll have plenty of options to stop for some food and drink in one of the city’s many restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars. 

Located close to Dundee airport and rail station, it’s easy to access the university from elsewhere in the UK. By car, Dundee can be accessed by the A90 or via Tay Road Bridge (A92).  

Abertay is known for its flexibility with its courses and modules. You can tailor the modules you study to your own interest on most degree courses, and the university is also open to the possibility of switching degree subjects as your interests change. 

The uni is particularly well-known for its computer games course, as it was the first university in the world to begin offering the degree in 1997. It was also the first university in the world to introduce an ethical hacking degree in 2006, demonstrating its commitment to leading in the field of technology. 

As with most Scottish degrees, a full-time undergraduate degree will typically take four years to complete. Currently, the university only offers undergraduate degrees on a full-time basis. 

Many courses at Abertay have the option of incorporating a professional placement or year abroad into your studies. There are also a range of courses with professional accreditation so you can be sure your degree will be highly considered after you graduate.  

All applicants should have GCSE or National 5 English and maths at grade C/4 or higher. Other entry requirements vary. 

For example, BA Accounting and Finance will require CCC at A-level, or BBBB in Highers. You’ll also need to have studied one of the subjects on the list provided for entry onto this course. This list can be found on the course page. 

BA Computer Arts will require you to submit a portfolio of work, and you should also achieve BBC in A-level including art, graphic design, or design and technology: production design or AABB in Scottish Highers including art, photography, graphic communication or product design. 

Applicants to BSc Psychology should obtain BCC at A-level or ABBB in Scottish Highers. These grades should include one of the literate subjects listed on the Abertay website. 

Entry requirements are subject to change, and all offers are made based on individual applications. You can contact the Abertay admissions department with any questions about requirements to study. 

Abertay University has a range of accommodation options for students all within a short walk of the university campus. You can pick between shared bathroom and ensuite, small singles or studios. Every room will be furnished with bed, desk and drawers and rent is inclusive of all bills and utilities. 

Depending on which accommodation you choose, you could have access to a variety of different facilities including a 24/7 gym, pool tables, bike storage, TV lounge and table tennis. 

All rooms are self-catered, so you’ll have access to kitchen facilities. If you opt for a studio, these will be inside your studio flat. If you’re in a room in a shared flat, you’ll have a communal kitchen space shared with your flatmates. You can expect kitchens to come kitted out with cooking facilities, fridge, kettle and microwave, as well as enough cupboards for each person in the flat to have their own storage space. 

If halls of residence aren’t for you, then there’s plenty of opportunity to rent privately in the city. The accommodation department at the university will be able to offer advice on your search. 

At Abertay University, the Careers Service is available to support students in their employability. Students can benefit from face-to-face appointments with advisers to discuss a range of topics. 

Support from the Careers Service can include developing employability skills, identifying potential future careers, assisting with finding work experience, and helping you market yourself to employers. As a student, you can access the Abertay Connect platform, where you can search job vacancies and book face-to-face appointments. 

The university works alongside Santander in the Santander Employability Scheme. This scheme offers students paid, short-term work experience placements with SMEs. These can be full or part-time opportunities. 

As an alumni, you’ll have access to support offered by the Careers Service for three years after you graduate. You’ll still have access to Abertay Connect, where you can book one-to-one appointments, sign up to university-run careers events and search for jobs. 

As well as all this, you’ll have access to a wide range of online resources providing advice on-demand on topics such as CV writing, job applications and applying to postgraduate study. 

Scholarships and bursaries are non-repayable awards designed to help students fund their studies and encourage participation in Higher Education. 

Abertay University offers different funding opportunities depending on where in the UK you come from. Scottish students may be eligible to apply for the Care Experienced Student Bursary, the Dundee Education Trust or Disabled Students’ Allowance. There’s also support for estranged students and student carers. If you’re a single parent over 25, you might also be able to apply for the Lone Parents’ Grant and the Lone Parents’ Childcare Grant. 

For students from elsewhere in the UK, you may be eligible for the Abertay rUK Scholarship, and if you’re from a low-income household, you could also be eligible for the rUK Bursary. 

As well as these forms of support, there are also bursaries and scholarships available to students on selected courses. You can find more information on these and check your eligibility by checking out the Scholarships section of the Abertay website.