The University of Abertay

The University

More properly know as the University of Abertay Dundee, Abertay is a modern university located right in the centre of Scotland's fourth city, Dundee. In its current form it dates back to 1994, though previously it had been the Dundee Institute of Technology, recognised as an "industrial university" as early as 1902. Today's university continues to offer a range of vocationally driven, non-traditional courses.

As a result it has some of the best IT facilities (and the highest ration of computers to students) of any university in the UK, and offers honours degree courses in subjects such as computer game technology; ethical hacking and countermeasures; forensic sciences; food product design; and sports health and exercise.

Traditional academic subjects in areas such as maths, physics, English, classics, geography, chemistry and history are not taught as specific degree programmes.

The University of Abertay is home to the Dundee Business School, and to the Embreonix graduate incubator, established in 2000. The latter has led to the establishment of over 40 new businesses and 80 new jobs, many in IT, digital media and e-business.

The university continues to grow and invest, with recent additions including an £8m library and a £6m student centre which comprises bars, shops, eateries, a nightclub and a cinema. Priority for university accommodation is given to first year students.

History

The University of Abertay Dundee dates its origins to the founding of the Dundee Institute of Technology in 1888. From 1902 the Scottish Office recognised the Institute as an "industrial university" and from the 1970s it became a "Central Institution" with the right to validate and award its own degrees.

The University of Abertay Dundee was formally established through a change of name of the Dundee Institute of Technology in 1994.