- Abertay University ranked 55th nationally in the Guardian University Guide 2026, up 24 places, becoming Scotland's top modern university
- Times and Sunday Times 2026 ranks Abertay 71st nationally
- International undergraduate fees for 2025-26 range from £15,000 to £15,500 per year; postgraduate fees from £17,000 to £18,000 per year.
What Is the Academic Reputation of Abertay University?
Abertay University is a small, teaching-focused university in Dundee, Scotland. It rose 24 places in the Guardian University Guide 2026, ranking 55th nationally and becoming Scotland's top modern university in that guide. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 ranks Abertay 71st nationally, with a top-10 UK ranking for student experience and 11th for teaching quality.
Abertay is a small university that receives most of its funding for teaching than research. Nevertheless, according to the results of the Research Excellence Framework 2014 published on 18 December 2014, Abertay was the highest-ranked modern university in Scotland for ‘Research University’.
- 55th nationally in the Guardian University Guide 2026
- 71st nationally in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
- 12th in the UK for student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2026
What External Accreditations Does Abertay University Hold?
Abertay University is externally reviewed under the enhancement-led Institutional Review method by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Scotland. The university holds a Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Its computing and cyber security programmes carry professional accreditations, and it is recognised as the UK's gold standard institution for cyber security education.
What Are the Notable Features of Abertay University?
Abertay University is the UK's first institution recognised as a Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education. It launched the world's first computer games degree in 1997 and was the first university globally to offer an Ethical Hacking degree. The university also hosts the Securi-Tay conference, the largest student-run cybersecurity conference in the world.
Computer Games Education
Abertay was the UK’s first University to be recognized as a center for Excellence in Computer Games Education. The center for excellence is accredited by skillset and has strong links with industrial partners from across the broadcast, interactive, and wider digital media sectors. These partners include BBC Scotland, BBC Vision, BSkyB, Channel 4, Electronic Arts, Codemasters, Blitz Games Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Microsoft, Disney Interactive, and many more.
Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security
Abertay was the first university in the world to have a degree in Ethical Hacking, differentiating from its other cyber-security degree counterparts by taking a more offensive approach to security. The university began to offer this degree in 2006.
The university is also home to the Ethical Hacking Society, which hosts the Securi-Tay conference, the largest student-run security conference in Europe.
Sport
Abertay University has a wide group of sports teams competing under the university banner. It ranges from Tennis to Hockey who compete in the BUCS (British Universities & College Sport) leagues, which competes against other universities and colleges in Scotland. Football, Hockey, and Basketball teams have their 1st teams competing in the highest league (BUCS 1A). The University has a fierce rivalry with Dundee University, competing in a yearly Varsity competition. There are numerous notable athletic alumni that have undertaken their degrees in the University with the University facilitating elite sportsmen and women, who have either represented their country or compete at a high level.
Elective for the 21 st Century
Abertay's electives scheme provides opportunities for all early-year students to broaden their education and develop skills beyond their core subject area. Students can choose from a range of interdisciplinary elective modules spanning topics from entrepreneurship to creative arts, enriching their employability profile.
How to get a UK student visa 2026Read →What Courses Does Abertay University Offer?
Abertay University offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across its schools of Design and Informatics, Applied Sciences, and Business, Law and Social Sciences. The university is particularly well known for Computer Games Technology, Ethical Hacking, Cybersecurity, Psychology, Law, and Biomedical Science. International undergraduate fees for 2025-26 range from £15,000 to £15,500 per year.
Undergraduate Courses
| Courses Name | Duration (years) | Fees (2025-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Computer Game Applications Development | 4 | £15,500/year |
| BA (Hons) Business Management | 4 | £15,000/year |
| BSc (Hons) Psychology | 4 | £15,000/year |
| BA (Hons) Computer Arts | 4 | £15,500/year |
| BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering | 4 | £15,000/year |
Post Graduate Courses
| Courses Name | Duration (years) | Fees (2025-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| MBA | 1 | £17,000–£19,000/year |
| MSc Accounting and Finance | 1 | £17,000/year |
What Is the Abertay University Campus Like?
Abertay University is located on a compact city-centre campus in Dundee, with all buildings within a quarter of a mile of each other. Main buildings include the Bernard King Library, Kydd Building, Student Centre, and Hannah Maclure Centre. Halls of residence are purpose-built and just five minutes from the university, with a guaranteed place offered to all first-year students.
Who Are the Notable Alumni of Abertay University?
Abertay's alumni network is a strong and diverse community of over 34,000 graduates living and working throughout the world. Among the most notable alumni are Bryan Middleton, Stewart Hosie, and Liam Wang. The university also counts David Jones, co-creator of the Grand Theft Auto video game series, among its distinguished graduates.
- Bryan Middleton
- Stewart Hosie
- Liam Wang
- Amelie Mariage
- Patrick Murray
- Kate White
- Grant Douglas
What Is the Address of Abertay University?
Abertay University is located in the heart of Dundee, Scotland, combining the advantages of a close-knit campus with access to a vibrant city. The university address is Abertay University, Bell Street, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 1HG. Dundee is one of the most affordable UK cities for students, with monthly living costs roughly 20 percent lower than the UK national average.
What Do Students Say About Abertay University?
Abertay University is ranked 12th in the UK for student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2026. Students frequently praise the small campus, supportive tutors, and high-quality facilities. The university is among the top ten in the UK for student experience according to the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
- Lack of support and feedback/complaints are not considered or actioned on. I know of several people unhappy with this university and the way they were treated. It is a shame as there are some fantastic lecturers, but others just do not seem to bother. I will not be returning here for future studies.
- A great university for the courses they specialize in. If you are not on the courses which they specialize in then your experience may vary. The services otherwise provided by the unit are top-notch, and its location within the city is greatly useful.
- My tutors were brilliant, but you can see they are tired of the way the university is run. Departments do not talk to each other, it is always someone or another department's fault, nobody wants to do their job. Alan Murphy (Finance) bullies’ students and technically should not be dealing with vulnerable adults at all. I have been to Napier University and Abertay, unfortunately, Abertay was a waste of time, Napier university is light years ahead in technology and materials.
- I met amazing people here and learned a lot about a lot including myself. I graduated with a computing degree and have to say the opportunities available to me in my four years here were in abundance. Attending Abertay changed my life in so many great ways.
- The university is awesome as design. The IT department (and all its ramifications) is by far the best one (this is mostly an IT university, one of the best in the UK). Good services for students, the union, and the Library. Great.