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CONTENTS

1. Why study in Dundee?

2. About Dundee

3. University of Dundee

4. Abertay University

5. Living in Dundee

6. Entry requirements 

7. Transport links 

8. Getting around Dundee

9. Things to do in Dundee

Why study in Dundee?

If you fancy being part of a big student community that’s cheap to live in and is a great mix of urban and rural life, this vibrant city could be for you.

About Dundee

Dundee sits on the east coast of Scotland on the banks of the river Tay. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Dundee is a small city with a big creative scene. A UNESCO City of Design, it's home to the only V&A museum outside of London and the McManus Art Gallery and Museum. From art, nightlife and nature, there’s plenty to see and do in this compact and thriving Scottish city.

With two universities and only 150,000 residents, Dundee has a large student community. It is also one of the most affordable student cities in the UK and receives the most sunshine out of all Scottish cities. 

University of Dundee

The University of Dundee is the city's largest university, with over 17,000 students. Since its beginning in 1882, the uni has had a fresh outlook – its first Principal was 26 years old when appointed. It has particular strengths in dentistry, medicine, medical technology, and bioengineering.

Location 

The University of Dundee has three campuses: City Campus in the centre of Dundee, Ninewells Campus to the west of the city, and one in Kirkcaldy. There is good public transport to each of these sites if you don’t fancy a walk.

Facilities 

The university offers a range of social spaces, cafés, bars, and a nightclub. There are four libraries across its three campuses and a range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including a swimming pool.

See the University of Dundee profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Abertay University Dundee

Abertay is a small and friendly modern uni in the city centre with around 5,000 students. Renowned for its computer arts degrees, the university is a Centre of Excellence for Computer Games Education. It's also a government-recognised Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education. It's strengths aren't just in tech though â€“ it is also offers some of the highest Student Satisfaction ratings in UK.  

Location 

The university is in the heart of Dundee, close to shops, recreational facilities, and the main train and bus stations.

Facilities 

Abertay runs a variety of clubs and societies and has an award-winning library open 24/7 at various points in the academic year.

See Abertay University profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Living in Dundee

Many students prefer to live in student halls of residence in their first year to meet other students and experience university life. Each university has its own accommodation, and, given the small size of the city, you'll never be far from university or nightlife.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary from uni to uni and course to course. The best way to check what you need to get into your preferred course at each university is to use our . There you can see what each course’s entry requirements are.

Transport links

Average train journey times from Dundee

Getting around Dundee

While you can explore most of Dundee on foot, there are excellent transport systems in place to go further afield. Whether you’re looking to travel by train, bus or bike, Dundee is a simple city to navigate.

Train

Getting the train to Dundee is an exciting experience in itself as you get to admire the stunning views of the Tay Estuary, crossing two impressive bridges before pulling into the central station. Trains run regularly to other cities in Scotland including Edinburgh which is just 1.5 hours away.

Bus

The buses in Dundee are affordable and easy to use, connecting you to local attractions for day trips. Bus companies include Xplore Dundee and Stagecoach. Discounted tickets are also available for Dundee students.

Cycle

There is a 26-mile cycling route known as the Dundee Green Circular which is a great way to spend a weekend, soaking up the picturesque landscapes of Dundee. You can also rent bikes in the city if you don’t have your own.

Other transport options

There are private taxi companies in Dundee as well as Uber.

Things to do in Dundee

What was once a small port is now a thriving cultural hub with a range of attractions and activities to suit every person. In fact, Dundee ranked in the top 10 places to live in the UK, looking at employment, community spirit and the cost of living (Sunday Times 2019).

Food and drink

From quirky cafes to contemporary cuisine, Dundee has a range of eating and drinking options. Just a few of the top eating experiences includes people-watching over brunch at Pacamara café, gazing out at the spectacular views of the V&A Tatha restaurant or going back to the 1920’s at Draffen’s art-deco bar.

Plus, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a cuisine. From Italian and Indian to Middle Eastern and Mexican, you can try foods from all around the world. However, if you’re looking to soak up some local culture, you can try Dundee cake and marmalade for a truly Dundonian experience.

Nightlife

Whether you enjoy settling into a good pub or dancing until the wee hours of the morning, Dundee has something for everyone. You can start your night at one of the many pubs or bars such as the Tinsmith, which sells Scotland’s most famous delicacy - deep-fried mars bar and Iron Bru ice cream.

You can dance with your friends at one of the many nightclubs such as Underground which is often considered the best club in Dundee. There’s also Aura, Club Tropicana, Fat Sam’s and many more. Plus, there’s the Dundee University Student’s Association which hosts many legendary club nights throughout the year.

Arts and culture

Dundee is the UK’s only UNESCO city of Design for its contributions to comics, video games and medical research. The city also received £1 billion in investment into its waterfront with the V&A museum at its centre. Just next door to the V&A you’ll see the RRS Discovery ship which is open to visitors for tours.

Art lovers may enjoy the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre which houses exhibitions and films and the McManus Art Gallery and Museum. There’s also Broughty Castle which was built in 1495 and Verdant Works, a restored mill used for producing Jute (a fibre used to make materials such as rope).

Sport

For the sports fans, Dundee is home to two professional football teams: Dundee and Dundee United. The two stadiums, Dens Park and Tannadice Park, are found just down the road from each other. As sport plays such a big part in Scottish culture, there are plenty of pubs to watch the games in.

The universities in Dundee also offer sports teams through the student union to help you keep fit and make new friends. Examples include rugby, football, cheerleading, boxing, hockey, tennis and more. You can usually sign up in the first weeks of university at the clubs and societies fair.