31,278 discussions, 145 guides
University of Abertay Dundee
31,278 discussions, 145 guides
University of Abertay Dundee
University of Abertay Dundee
40 Bell Street
Dundee
DD1 1HG
Scotland
Tel: (0)1382 308 080
1888
Internet only version often talked about and pipe dreams for more.
Focus Magazine
Publishes every couple of months. Articles on life in
Dundee for students, news, competitions and guides of
the best places to drink/have fun/get food. Produced an A-Z guide to student life in Dundee - a bible to Abertay students!
David Jones - Creator of Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto
Brian Souter - Chairman of Stagecoach
The brand new Student Centre opened in May 2005, spread over four floors and with a cost of around 6 million pounds the centre houses a night club, two bars (one of which serves a variety of food) and a large performance space on the top floor that will be used for music, theatre, films and exhibitions. The building is also home to office and activity space used by the Student Assication and Student Centre teams. The new space will be opened officially in october 2005 and will offer a wide range of events and entertainment to students. Positioned opposite the new library at the heart of the campus it looks to become a popular and lively place.
The new Student Centre was witness to the fine frocks and polished shoes of its first graduation ball in July 2005. With its basement nightclub and upstairs performance space it will be hosting a number of different events from October. Watch this space...
A few black tie events during the year, but as most of the students are techies, and part of the Internet generation, they prefer jeans and a T-shirt!!
Societies at Abertay tend to be less political than at many other universities. The popular ones are Abertay Tactical Airsoft Club (ATAC) - Mad blokes with airguns on hills, numerous international student societies, huge Computer Games Society and Abertay RockSoc (Rock Music Society) Dungeons and Dragons T-shirts as far as they eye can see.
100
Halls
Accomodation is not a problem at Abertay Dundee. There is enough for all the first years that apply, which is helped by the fact that most students (between 55%-60%) come from the local area. The standard of the accommodation is also good, with a mix of modern, purpose-built buildings and converted Victorian terraces. Kitchen facilities are good and are usually shared among 6 or so students.
External The University owns a wealth of the student housing in the area, and will help you find a place. Privately there is enough going around, and although prices are rising in the city centre, things are still relatively cheap.
The University is situated on three sites each about two minutes walk from the town centre. The main building surrounds a grassy quad and is aesthetically pleasing, or at least more so than a few of the other buildings on campus. It seems that once again a university has fallen foul of 60s and 70s architecture.
The city, however, has just had a facelift, similar to that of Glasgow. It also has a great location on the northern side of the Firth of Tay and is surrounded by miles of beaches and hills. The riverside and port areas of the town have been transformed to attract more visitors and there are some fine historic buildings (and modern ones too) in the city.
The only disadvantage of the location is the fact that it is very far north. The University boasts, "it only takes 1 hour 30 minutes to get to Edinburgh"...but its not bloody walking distance, is it? The area is served well by train and bus (National Express and otherwise), and there is an airport. Once you're in the city there are good transport links and most things are pretty walkable. For essay busting jaunts and excursions a car would be useful though.
The social life locally is good, with a variety of popular pubs and clubs. Current favourite bars for Abertay students are: The Bread - situated right at the heart of the Abertay campus, it is a cosy pub where students retire to after a hard days study, or to watch sport on the big screen. The Nether Inn - rustic interior and a real student favourite. The Beat Bar - cosy music venue. The Pheonix - dark, pseudo-Irish bar, has been a student haunt for decades, pulls in some excellent live acts. On a sunny day go for Laings with its kick ass beer garden.
Clubs - Mardi Gras - the most popular club, although commonly known as 'the club the smells a little like urine' a guaranteed good drunken night out if you aren't too picky. Fat Sams - 'the' club in Dundee, classy to Mardi Gras's commercialness. Glam - fledgling club, changes its name every year or so, terminally unpopular & a bit dodgy say the students. Reading Rooms - music venue/club, dark dingy metal/punk atmosphere, bring a shotgun on metal nights.
The University car park (behind the library) is open to students. It is a big multi-storey car park, no discounts to students, but is right on campus. Everything's pretty walkable though so don't worry too much about parking.
All the major Scottish banks are in the town centre and quite close to the university.
On the whole disabled facilities are good, with excellent equipment for the hearing, speech or sight impaired. Access to the library and halls of residence is now very good, but the Student Union remains a problem.
There is a university shop selling studenty bits and pieces, like pens, pencils and paper.
There are a few bookshops around town, which can order in your course texts.
Apart from a small fitness centre, the University lacks anything in the way of sports facilities!! Students can buy a sports card (for around £13 pa) which allows them access to council-owned facilities like the Olympia Centre. Students are also able to use the International Sports Centre for reduced rates, or sometimes for free.
The Students' Association runs a free minibus at night from the University into town, but there isn't much need of it (unless you live far from town) because the centre is only two minutes away.
The Scottish Highlands are the obvious mention here but a bit of a way. Students make use of Dundee's two great parks, Camperdown Park and Caird Park and occasionally Broughty Ferry, a town 10 miles east of Dundee, which has great white beaches.
By far the University's jewel! The new library cost £8,000,000 to build and has been voted the best new building in Scotland (see picture). It is fully integrated with top of the range technology and has been a real hit. The library also has 24hr access during the exam period. Now get this...since the new library was built, library usage has doubled!!
Computer facilities are excellent, with over 1,500 work stations (there are only 4,500 students). There is also a virtual reality computer suite. Due to the nature of the courses, most students have their own computers though.
What a happy bunch they all are! There are two counsellors and excellent study skills workshops are available. A doctor visits the university every day for an hour.
