Abertay University
Abertay is small, specialist and world-famous for one thing above all: computer games. It ran the world's first degree in computer games technology in 1997, and its graduates work at studios from Rockstar to Ubisoft. Dundee, where Grand Theft Auto was born, is a UNESCO City of Design.
About Abertay
Beyond games, Abertay is strong in cyber security (an academic centre of excellence), computing, psychology, forensic science and sport, all taught in a compact city-centre campus where class sizes are small.
Dundee is one of the cheapest cities in the UK to live in and sits on the Tay estuary an hour from Edinburgh.
Strong subjects
Entry at a glance
| English | IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each) for most courses |
| Intakes | September; January (selected postgraduate) |
| Undergraduate fees | £16,500 to £17,500 a year |
| Postgraduate fees | £17,500 to £19,500 a year |
| Application fee | None |
| Deposit | £3,000 for international students |
Fees are indicative for 2026/27. We confirm the exact figure with the university before you apply.
Courses
A selection. Ask us for the full list, or for a course that is not shown here.
| Course | Level | Length | Indicative fee | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology | Undergraduate | 4 years | £17,000 | Sep |
| BSc (Hons) Ethical Hacking | Undergraduate | 4 years | £17,000 | Sep |
| MSc Computer Games Technology | Postgraduate | 1 year | £19,000 | Sep, Jan |
| MSc Cyber Security | Postgraduate | 1 year | £19,000 | Sep, Jan |
| MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence and User Experience | Postgraduate | 1 year | £19,000 | Sep |
| BSc (Hons) Psychology | Undergraduate | 4 years | £16,500 | Sep |
Campus and student life
Student life
A small, friendly campus in a walkable city with a strong creative scene, the V&A Dundee and the waterfront.
Accommodation
University halls within walking distance of every lecture; among the lowest rents in the UK.
Facilities
Games labs with industry-standard consoles and motion capture, an ethical hacking lab, forensic crime scene houses and a sports performance centre.
Careers
Dare Academy game jam, strong studio links, and cyber security employers recruiting directly from the course.
Questions about Abertay
Why study games at Abertay?
It launched the world's first games degree, is ranked top in Europe for games education by the Princeton Review, and its graduates are in most major studios.
Why are Scottish degrees four years?
Scottish honours degrees run four years with a broader first year; students with strong A levels or equivalent can often enter year two.
Is Dundee affordable?
Yes. It is regularly cited as one of the cheapest UK cities for students, with rooms from about £400 a month.
Are there scholarships at Abertay?
International scholarships of £2,000 to £3,000 a year are available to self-funded students meeting the grade criteria.
Interested in Abertay?
Send us your results. We will tell you which of its courses you can get into and what the year will cost.