Institution Details

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.

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 own 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.

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 the 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.   Find on Map 

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.

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

Games Design and Programming, Engineering, Cybersecurity

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

(1) TOEFL Scholarships
Nationality International
The TOEFL scholarship awards TOEFL test takers for achieving academic excellence, exhibiting leadership skills, performing extracurricular activities and demonstrating English-communication proficiency. Test takers applying for the TOEFL scholarship must be citizens of Mainland China, India, Japan, Korea or Taiwan.

Eligibility
Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria to avail the TOEFL scholarship. The eligibility criteria may vary depending on the country you are applying from.

You must be currently living in the country from where you have registered for TOEFL.
You must be beginning undergraduate or graduate study at a college or university listed in the TOEFL Destination Search.
Hold a grade point average of at least 80 or higher on a 100-point scale or a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Have a valid TOEFL test result used as a requirement for admissions into your undergraduate or graduate program

(2) Abertay International Scholarship
Scholarship amount Up to £12,000
Nationality International
Overview
This is an award of up to £12,000 for prospective new international undergraduate students.
The award is £3,000 per annum, for a maximum of 4 years total study. Successful recipients will have the award deducted from their tuition fees.

Eligibility
To be eligible you must meet all of the following conditions:
Be classified as International (Overseas) fee status by Abertay University.
Registered as a full-time student for your first undergraduate degree.
Have met all the academic conditions attached to your offer of admission for entry to the University as a new full-time student in September.
Be studying on campus at the University.
Students who are admitted with Advanced Entry into Level 2 or above, and who meet the above conditions, will also be eligible for this Award.

The Award will be awarded for each year of your undergraduate degree, up to a maximum of 4 years, while you are studying in Dundee. The Award will not be awarded for any year you spend studying abroad or working in industry.

(3) Indonesia-UK DIKTI Scholarships
Nationality International
The Indonesia-UK DIKTI Scholarship Programme is open for lecturers at Indonesian universities and administrative staff at DIKTI and Indonesian state universities, to undertake postgraduate study at many leading universities and higher education institutions in the United Kingdom.

The programme will fund up to 750 academics to come and study in the UK over the next five years. All academic subjects are eligible for funding under the DIKTI programme

(4) International Postgraduate Abertay Scholarships
Scholarship amount £3,000
Nationality International
Overview
This £3,000 award is open to all prospective new international taught postgraduate students who:
Are classified as International (Overseas) fee status by Abertay University.
Are applying for postgraduate study with the equivalent of a UK 2:1 Bachelors degree equivalent or better (approximately 60% and above).
For students commencing their studies in September, successful recipients will have the award deducted from their tuition fees.

Eligibility
To be eligible you must meet the conditions set out above.
This Award is not available to currently registered postgraduate students.

(5) Jody Gallagher Scholarship
Scholarship amount £1,250
Nationality International
Overview
The Jody Gallagher Scholarship is open to students who are in Year 2, 3 or 4 of the BA (Hons) Computer Arts degree.

The one-year scholarship was established to provide £1250 in financial support to students who are from a low-income household and have overcame financial obstacles to attend Abertay. Students must demonstrate that they are in significant financial need, as well as showing their commitment to continue their studies at Abertay, and an interest in working in the computer games sector.

Further Information
The scholarship was established in memory of Abertay alum Jody Gallagher who passed away in early 2019. Jody studied Computer Arts between 2002 and 2004 before he went to work for companies such as Blade Interactive, Outplay, and 4J. He briefly set up his own games company and lectured on an ad-hoc basis at Dundee & Angus College.

Jody wanted to help students realise their passion for computer games so that they could continue to strive towards their chosen career. This Scholarship was set up to ease the financial burden for these students.

Eligibility
To be considered for this scholarship applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Be commencing year 2, 3 or 4 of the BA (Hons) Computer Arts Degree.
Be able to demonstrate a financial need for support in the application form.
Be able to demonstrate that you want to work in the Computer Games sector after completing your degree.
Be willing to meet the donor and/or write a letter of thanks.
Take part in any publicity and marketing material for the Scholarship.

(6) Scottish Saltire Scholarships
Scholarship amount £8,000
Nationality International
The University is participating in the Scottish Saltire Scholarships programme. Scotland's Saltire Scholarships (SSS) are a substantial programme of scholarships, offered on a matched funding basis between the Government and Scottish Higher Education Institutions.

The scheme offers up to 50 awards, each worth £8000 towards the cost of tuition fees for one year of study. To be eligible, you must be intending on studying full-time a taught Masters degree in one of the following subject areas:
Science
Technology
Creative industries
Healthcare and medical sciences
Renewable and clean energy

Eligibility
You must:
Have a conditional or unconditional offer of admission before applying.
Be a citizen of Canada, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Pakistan and USA.
Be able to demonstrate you can meet living costs and fund the remaining portion of your programme.
Not have previously studied for a full undergraduate degree in Scotland.
No have previously been a recipient of a Scottish Saltire scholarship.
Study an eligible course.

(7) Takahashi & Howat Memorial Overseas Scholarship
Nationality International
Established in 2009 by the Japan-Scotland Society (JSS) to commemorate the founder, Mr Takahashi Yoshiteru, and the long-time donor and supporter of the society, Mr James T Howat, these scholarships aim to assist Japanese postgraduate students at Scottish universities to flourish in an international society.
Two scholarship awards are offered per year to the value of 300,000 JPY.

Eligibility
Applicants must be Japanese nationals planning to enter a postgraduate course at Masters level in a Scottish university, and expect to be active in the Japan-Scotland Society after completion of their studies.