Official emblem of Abertay University

Abertay University

Dundee, United Kingdom • Founded 1888 • World Rank #2187

Updated May 2026

Overview

English Name: University of Abertay Dundee
Local Name: Oilthigh Abertay
Acronyms: AU
Founded: 1888
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #2187
Rank in United Kingdom: #106
Abertay University campus from the outside
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Founded in 1994, the Abertay University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Dundee (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Scotland.

Officially recognized/chartered by the Privy Council, Abertay University (AU) is a small-sized coeducational UK higher education institution. Abertay University (AU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 30-year-old UK higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

AU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Find Abertay University on the map and reach the right office through the contact channels listed below. Use these for general enquiries; specific departments often run their own contact pages.

Address: Bell Street
Postal Code: DD1 1HG
Phone: +44 (1382) 308 000
Fax: +44 (1382) 308 877
Social Media:

Academic Details

Abertay University's institutional metrics and recognition context. Recognition reciprocity matters for credential portability — check whether your home country accepts Abertay University's qualifications.

Academic Year: September to June (September-February; February-June)
Recognition: Privy Council
Admission Requirements: General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE) with 5 passes including English and Maths allied to General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 2 passes at Advanced ('A') level or Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) 5 passes at SQA Standard Grade plus 3 or 4 passes at SQA Higher Grade. International and non-standard qualifications are welcome and considered on an individual basis
Student Enrollment: 4
Academic Staff Range: 100-199
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) European University Association (EUA) MillionPlus Universities UK

Academic Structures

Abertay University's academic units, organised by type. Recently formed faculties (post-merger or post-split) often have updated curricula and may carry less institutional history than older units.

Unit 4 items
  • Dundee Business School
  • School of Contemporary Sciences
  • School of Design and Informatics
  • School of Social and Health Sciences

Degrees

Abertay University's qualifications are listed below by level, so you can quickly find the route that matches your study stage. Some levels feed naturally into the next, while others stand alone.

Doctoral 5 programs

Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.

  • Business Administration
  • Health Sciences
  • Law
  • Management
  • Social Sciences
Diploma & Certificate 1 program

Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.

  • Higher Education

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

Simbios (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Environmental Studies
Urban Water Technology (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Water Management
Arts, Media and Computer Games (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Computer Graphics
  • Sound Engineering (Acoustics)

Common Career Paths

  • Software Engineer
  • Data Scientist
  • Systems Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Business (School) 24 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Administration
  • Business Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Civil Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Communication Studies
  • Constitutional Law
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Industrial Management
  • Institutional Administration
  • International Business
  • International Studies
  • Labour and Industrial Relations
  • Labour Law
  • Law
  • Management
  • Management Systems
  • Marketing
  • Public Administration
  • Public Law
  • Tourism

Common Career Paths

  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager
  • Strategy Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Science, Engineering and Technology (School) 15 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biomedicine
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computer Networks
  • Computer Science
  • Consumer Studies
  • Environmental Management
  • Food Science
  • Health Sciences
  • Information Sciences
  • Information Technology
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Analysis
  • Water Science

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Social and Health Sciences (School) 40 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Behavioural Sciences
  • Cinema and Television
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognitive Sciences
  • Community Health
  • Comparative Sociology
  • Criminology
  • Cultural Studies
  • Curriculum
  • Demography and Population
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Econometrics
  • Economic and Finance Policy
  • Educational and Student Counselling
  • Educational Research
  • Educational Testing and Evaluation
  • Ethics
  • Experimental Psychology
  • Family Studies
  • Film
  • Health Sciences
  • History of Societies
  • Industrial and Production Economics
  • Nursing
  • Oncology
  • Pedagogy
  • Police Studies
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health
  • Psychology
  • Psychometrics
  • Public Health
  • Social and Community Services
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Sports
  • Sports Management
  • Treatment Techniques
  • Urban Studies
  • Vocational Counselling
  • Women's Studies

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

Search and filter Abertay University's available programmes by degree level. The list reflects the institution's current catalogue and may not include programmes that are paused or pending approval.

80 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Master of Business Administration 1 programme

Global MBA
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree 33 programmes

Applied Games MSc by Research, MPhil, PhD
Digital Media & Game Development

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Business and Management PhD, MPhil, MSc by Research
Business Administration

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Civil, Structural & Geotechnical Engineering PhD, MPhil, MSc by Research
General Engineering

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Computer Arts MA by Research, MPhil, PhD
Liberal Arts

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Computer Games Development & Technology MSc, MPhil, PhD
Digital Media & Game Development

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Computing MSc by Research, MPhil, PhD
Information Systems & Technology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Game Art and Animation MSc by Research, MPhil, PhD
Digital Media & Game Development

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Game Design MSc by Research, MPhil, PhD
Applied Design

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Game Studies MSc by Research, MPhil, PhD
Digital Media & Game Development

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 33.

How to apply to Abertay University

Step-by-step guidance for applying to Abertay University, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Abertay University offers 80 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Each programme at Abertay University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Apply directly via Abertay University's online portal at www.abertay.ac.uk. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1382) 308 000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Abertay University

Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about Abertay University, drawn directly from institutional records.

How old is Abertay University?

The institution opened in 1888 (approximately 138 years ago).

In which city is Abertay University?

Abertay University is based in Dundee, United Kingdom.

What is Abertay University's control type?

Abertay University is a public institution.

How many students study at Abertay University?

Abertay University has approximately 4,000-4,999 students.

How is Abertay University ranked?

It ranks #2187 globally and #106 in United Kingdom.

What degrees does Abertay University offer?

Programmes at Abertay University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

How is Abertay University organised academically?

Abertay University is organised into 4 academic units across its disciplines.

Who recognises Abertay University?

The institution holds recognition from Privy Council.

What is Abertay University's official website?

You can find Abertay University online at www.abertay.ac.uk.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom

A quick benchmark: here are the top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom. Useful for understanding how Abertay University compares against the national reference points in higher education, and what alternatives exist if reach institutions are part of your strategy.

Members of European University Association (EUA)

Sabbatical exchange agreements among European University Association (EUA) members create faculty mobility patterns. Students benefit indirectly through visiting-faculty courses and cross-institutional supervision arrangements.

Faculties at nearby universities

Industry placements and co-op programmes around Abertay University draw on the same regional employer base. The nearby universities listed below often compete for similar internship slots.

Where Else to Study Business & Management

Programme delivery mode varies across the Business & Management programmes listed — online, hybrid, and in-person formats differ in tuition, schedule flexibility, and credential recognition across borders.

Universities Compared with Abertay University

Looking at Abertay University through a comparison lens? These universities share similar academic positioning and are commonly considered against Abertay University during the application process. Cross-comparison helps clarify the institutional fit beyond ranking signals.

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