University of Abertay

HISTORY

It was founded in 1888 as Dundee Technical Institute. Described by the Scottish Office in 1902 as one of the nation’s industrial universities’. Granted of the right to use the formal title of University of Abertay Dundee in 1994. It is now known as Abertay University.

Abertay was the first University in the world to offer a computer games degree, and the first in the UK to be recognized as a Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education. In 1999 it developed and continues to host ‘Dare to be Digital’ the international competition for computer games students. Abertay was also the first to offer a degree in Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures, starting in 2006. According to the results of the Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF2014) published on 18 December 2014, Abertay was the highest ranked modern university in Scotland for ‘research intensity’. According to the Princeton Review 2015, Abertay ranked 12th place in the top 25 schools in the world to study video game design.

COURSES

The Complete University Guide 2017 provides league tables for teaching. Overall, Abertay ranked 86 of 127 institutions. Abertay is included in the following subject tables

• Accounting and Finance – ranked 91 of 103
• Business and management – ranked 75 of 119
• Civil Engineering – ranked 29 of 55
• Computer Science – ranked 59 of 105
• Law – ranked 38 of 100
• Nursing – ranked 71 of 71
• Psychology – ranked 42 of 116
• Sociology – ranked 47 of 97
• Sports Science – ranked 53 of 84

The Graduate School provides dedicated support including study and social spaces for postgraduate students. The School provides training targeted towards the postgraduate community, seeking to enhance professional and research careers.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Varies from course to course, usually around BBBB at Higher (CCC at A level), ABBB at Higher (BCC at A level) or AABB at Higher (BBC at A level) depending on degree subjects.

Admissions information and policy can be found on their website.

ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

Abertay is divided into four academic departments: School of Arts, Media and Computer Games; School of Science, Engineering and Technology; Dundee Business School; and the School of Social and Health Sciences; plus the Abertay Graduate School.

Strengths include Environmental Science, Computer Games Technology, Computer Arts, Ethical Hacking and Digital Security, Psychology and Forensic Sciences, Food/Health/Nutrition, Sports Science, Business and Management, Energy/Oil and Gas Accounting, and Law.

TEACHING STANDARDS

Numerous professional accreditations can be found listed on individual course pages on their website, including Association of International Accountants; Creative Skillset; Sony Playstation First; BCS – the Chartered Institute for IT; Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, and British Psychological Society.

Teaching is QAA Scotland ‘UK Quality Assured’.

One of the most research-intensive modern universities in the UK, as measured by REF2014.

Overall research scores 18% higher in REF2014 than in the previous survey.

Overall research quality rated as ‘recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour’.

Abertay students are more likely to be taught by academics of international or world-leading quality than in most other universities.

Modern library with 265 workstations and free wi-fi throughout the campus.

A further 600+ elsewhere on campus, making a total of 865 workstations for a student population of 5,000 – one of the highest ratios in the UK.

Large Student Centre incorporating two bars, function space, theatre/cinema, art gallery, campus shop, bistro and games room.

Home to the UK’s first Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education.

New Support Enquiry Zone opened in 2014 – a one-stop shop for all student support services including academic, finance, accommodation.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

A comprehensive service featuring Career Development Centre, job-shop and CV/application help, graduate vacancies database and many other services. The student can find out more on their website.