One of the leading Scottish universities, Abertay University was granted university status in 1994, with its history dating back to the late 19th century and the establishment of the Dundee Institute of Technology in 1888.
Abertay is a modern university located in a city-centre campus in Dundee, Scotland’s fourth city. The university campus includes the historic buildings of Dundee Business School, the Bernard King Library, modern computer games labs, and the centre of cybersecurity research. Although Abertay is a small university, it was the highest-ranked modern Scottish university for research intensity in REF 2014, and then recorded a 23% increase in ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’ research in the 2021 REF. Abertay scholarships are also available to eligible students.
Abertay courses are known for their emphasis on practical learning and skills development, which prepares students for the workforce. Many Abertay degrees include hands-on projects, placements, and industry partnerships. The Abertay University acceptance rate is 84%, meaning many students receive an offer if they meet entry requirements.
Learn more about why you should choose Abertay University below, and if you would like to apply, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today.
Five Reasons to Choose the Abertay University
1. Rankings and recognition
Abertay University achieved the title of the UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2021 by the Sunday Times, and in 2022, Abertay was ranked in the UK top 20 for Teaching Quality.
Over the years, it has produced some well-known figures globally, including Liam Wong (Scottish game designer), Vikki Bunce (Olympian), and David Charles Benton (medical researcher), a testament to its teaching excellence. The main reason behind Abertay’s educational superiority is its focus on research-based teaching.
Abertay University has been ranked in the global top ten for postgraduate video games education by the prestigious Princeton Review, with the internationally respected ranking placing Abertay as the seventh best university in the world to study a Masters in video games design, recognising the strength of the institution’s Professional Masters in Games Development and MSc Computer Games Technology programmes.
In 2018, Abertay University won the "Outstanding Academic Contribution to Cyber Security" award at the Cyber Security Awards. and Abertay University's DARE Academy, which is a video games design and production programme, has won several awards. In 2020, the programme won the "Outstanding Contribution to the UK Games Industry" award at the GamesIndustry.biz Investment Summit.
2. Home to leading computer game and technology degrees
Abertay University is considered one of the best European universities for studying computer game design and technology. It launched the world’s first computer games degree programme in 1997 and became the first university to offer an ethical hacking course in 2006. The University was among a handful first to be awarded the UK Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Education by the National Cyber Security Centre – part of GCHQ, the UK Government Communications Headquarters.
The institute was also the first to be recognised as a Skillset-accredited centre of excellence in computer games degree, and Abertay has links with some top industry players, including BBC Scotland, Blitz Games Studios, Microsoft, and Codemasters. These market collaborations help students get acquainted with some of the best gaming technologies.
The University has ranked top in Europe for computer games education every year since 2015 (Princeton Review World Top 25 Games Universities) and was the first to be named a UK Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education.
3. Amazing student satisfaction
According to the National Student Survey 2022 (NSS), Abertay University is the 24th best university in the UK for overall student satisfaction, a 13-place jump from last year. The NSS results found that 81% of students are satisfied with Abertay University courses, placing the university 6th in Scotland. Abertay has worked a lot on advancing its curricula according to the industry’s demands and making students market-ready. The university’s recent improvement in student satisfaction is also a testament to its diversification of opportunities in different fields by collaborating with various industry players.
Of the result, Professor Liz Bacon, Principal of Abertay University, said: "Our performance in this year’s NSS is a cause for celebration. For an institution of our size to be ranked in the top 25 UK universities for student satisfaction is a great achievement and I’d like to thank staff for their commitment to providing students with the best possible experience. I’m delighted that so many of our students have enjoyed their time at Abertay and I look forward to next week’s graduation ceremony where we will celebrate their achievements."
4. Located in Scotland’s digital technology hub - Dundee
Abertay University is in Dundee, Scotland’s fourth-largest city and a global digital technology hub. The city has traditionally been the centre of multiple discoveries and accounts for over 10% of the UK’s digital entertainment industry. In 2014, UNESCO recognised Dundee as the first UK city of design for its enormous contribution to the fields of medicine, comics, and computer games.
Several British and international gaming firms are based out of Dundee, thanks to the city’s rich infrastructure and legacy as a digital technology centre. Students aspiring to make a successful career in the field cannot find a better place to enhance their knowledge and expertise than Dundee.
5. Small and personal class sizes
Abertay University is proud to keep its classes small and give personalised experiences to the students. It focuses a lot on students’ satisfaction and their overall development. At Abertay, you are a name, not a number, and you are given more time to discuss a matter. The campus is not as crowded, meaning students can engage in discussions with lecturers more frequently. If you want to enjoy a truly active social life while continuing your higher education in the UK, Abertay is an excellent place to be.
Study at Abertay University
Are you considering studying at Abertay University? Arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London to get all your questions answered regarding programme selection, entry requirements, and scholarship options.
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