Study at Abertay University

Why study at Abertay University

Most people know Abertay for computer games and cybersecurity. It launched the world's first computer games degree in 1997 and the UK's first Ethical Hacking degree in 2006, then opened its cyberQuarter cybersecurity hub in 2022. The Princeton Review named it the top international school for games design in 2024. There's more to it than games, though. Forensic science, sport and business are also strong here, with specialist labs all on the same city-centre campus.

Location and student life

Everything sits on one compact campus in Dundee city centre. The buildings are within about a quarter of a mile of each other, grouped around Bell Street and the Bernard King Library, and the bus and train stations are a short walk away. Dundee is on the River Tay, on Scotland's east coast. London is about a 1.5-hour flight or six hours by train.

For a student, Dundee has a lot going for it: it's easy to get around and living costs are lower than in many university cities. There's the V&A Dundee design museum, theatres, music venues and a waterfront that has been rebuilt in recent years. Clubs and societies run through Abertay Students' Association, the university has its own sports facilities, and the cafes and nightlife of the city centre are all within walking distance.

Courses and subjects

There are three academic schools, plus a Graduate School. They are the School of Design and Informatics, the School of Applied Sciences, and the School of Business, Law and Social Sciences, which includes Dundee Business School. Subjects the university is known for include computer games design and development, ethical hacking and cybersecurity, computing, forensic and biomedical sciences, food and nutrition, sport and exercise, engineering, and business and law.

If you're an international student and don't yet meet the requirements for direct entry, preparation courses are available, and there is pre-sessional English too (see the university's English language requirements page). Look at the individual course pages for the modules and options on each course.

Entry requirements for international students

You'll normally need school-leaving or university qualifications that the university recognises as equivalent to UK entry standards. What that means in practice depends on your course and your country, so check the course page and the 'Find Your Country' pages. For English, most undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses ask for IELTS 6.0 overall, with nothing below 5.5 in any component. A few courses ask for more: nursing and counselling, for example, are set at 7.0. If you fall just short of the score you need, a pre-sessional English course may be an option.

Accommodation

Housing here works a little differently from many universities. Abertay arranges accommodation through partner providers rather than running its own halls, so a room isn't guaranteed, and the university tells students to apply as soon as they can after accepting an offer. Options named by the university include Parker House, run by iQ Student Accommodation and about five minutes' walk from campus, and Meadowside, Lyon Street and Telephone House, which Mezzino operates. Most of what's on offer is a self-catered en-suite room, or a flat shared with other students.

Scholarships and funding

International awards the university has published include the Abertay International Scholarship, worth up to £3,000 per year (up to £12,000 in total if you're an undergraduate), the Principal's Excellence Scholarship – Global, worth up to £7,000 per year, and GREAT Scholarships of £10,000 for 2026 postgraduate taught entrants from Mexico, Kenya or Thailand. Awards tied to particular countries appear from time to time as well, such as scholarships for IB diploma holders and Turkish nationals. Amounts and eligibility change each year, so read the university's scholarships pages before you apply.