Quick Read
- Abertay University does not appear in the main QS World University Rankings 2027 table.
- Complete University Guide 2027, published in June 2026, ranks Abertay 105th out of 130 UK universities.
- The Guardian University Guide 2026 places Abertay 55th nationally, its most recent published edition.
- Abertay’s acceptance rate is estimated at around 85%, one of the more accessible rates in the UK.
- Indian students need IELTS 6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5, for admission.
- Abertay’s tuition fees for Indian students run roughly Rs.17.85 lakh to Rs.23.58 lakh a year (at Rs.127.48 per £1, 7 July 2026).
Abertay University Ranking 2026-27: The Numbers From Every Major Body
Abertay University is a public university in Dundee, on Scotland’s east coast, and one of the UK’s smallest universities by student population, with around 4,000 to 4,500 students. It launched the world’s first computer games degree in 1997 and the UK’s first ethical hacking degree in 2006.
Beyond gaming and cybersecurity, Abertay runs well-regarded programmes in forensic science, food science, nursing, business, and civil engineering, in small class sizes on a compact city-centre campus.
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| Ranking Body | Abertay's Position | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not listed in the main table | QS only places Abertay in its regional Europe list |
| QS Europe University Rankings (Northern Europe) | #162 | Regional QS ranking, separate from the World Rankings |
| Times Higher Education (THE) World Rankings | Not listed with a numbered rank | THE's profile page carries no overall world rank for Abertay |
| Complete University Guide (CUG) 2027 | 105th out of 130 UK universities | Published June 2026; Abertay fell 11 places from 94th in 2026 |
| The Guardian University Guide 2026 | 55th out of 123 UK universities | Most recent edition; 2027 table publishes in September 2026 |
| The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 | 62nd nationally | Most recent edition; 2027 table publishes in September 2026 |
Counselor insight: None of these numbers is more "correct" than another; they measure different things. QS and THE lean on research volume, where a small, teaching-focused university like Abertay struggles on paper. The Guardian and CUG lean on student satisfaction and outcomes, where Abertay does comparatively well, even after this year's dip.
Why Abertay Has No QS World Ranking (And Why That Is Not a Red Flag)
- Abertay is not included in the QS World University Rankings 2027 main table.
- It appears only in QS's Europe University Rankings, Northern Europe list, at #162.
- QS's flagship rankings weigh heavily on research output, citations, and international staff and student ratios at scale.
- Abertay has roughly 4,000 to 4,500 students, one of the UK's smallest universities, with research concentrated in a few fields.
- This is common for smaller, specialist institutions, and is why many sit outside QS's main table regardless of teaching quality.
- An absent QS rank carries less weight than you might expect for Indian employers; recruiters in tech and gaming often know Abertay for its cybersecurity and games programmes rather than its QS position.
Is Abertay a Russell Group University? Clearing Up the Confusion
- No, Abertay is not a Russell Group university.
- The Russell Group is a self-selected association of 24 large, research-intensive UK universities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, and St Andrews.
- Abertay is a modern university, gaining that status after 1992, with a stronger focus on applied, industry-facing teaching.
- Membership is often wrongly treated as a stand-in for quality; it really reflects research scale and institutional age.
- A non-Russell Group university can still lead in specific fields, as Abertay's games and cybersecurity rankings below show.
If you want to check the list of Russell group universities, check our Russell Group universities in the UK.
Abertay University vs University of Dundee vs Robert Gordon University: How the Rankings Compare
Abertay is compared with two different universities. The University of Dundee shares its city and its name gets mixed up with Abertay's constantly, but it's a large, research-intensive institution.
Robert Gordon University, in Aberdeen, is the closer match: another small, modern, teaching-focused Scottish university built around employability rather than research prestige, which makes it the more relevant benchmark for judging where Abertay actually sits among its real peer group.
| Metric | Abertay University | University of Dundee | Robert Gordon University |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World Rankings 2027 | Not ranked (Europe regional list only, #162) | #447, down from #428 in 2026 | #1001-1200 band |
| THE World Rankings | Not ranked with a numbered position | In the 301-350 band | In the 801-1000 band |
| Complete University Guide 2027 (UK) | 105th out of 130, down from 94th | 25th out of 130, up 14 places | 75th out of 130, up 12 places from 87th |
| Guardian University Guide 2026 (UK) | 55th out of 123 | 26th, up 26 places | 92nd |
| Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 (UK) | 62nd | Joint 23rd, up 13 places | 50th |
| Russell Group member | No | No | No |
| Known for | Games, cybersecurity, forensic science | Medicine, dentistry, life sciences, law | Pharmacy, physiotherapy, business, architecture |
| Acceptance rate | Around 85% | Around 78% | Around 70-75% |
| Approx. international UG tuition | £14,000 to £15,500 | £18,000 to £23,000 (medicine and dentistry cost more) | £15,000 to £18,300 |
Counselor insight: Robert Gordon is the more useful comparison since it's the same type of institution as Abertay, modern and employability-focused. It currently outranks Abertay on every UK domestic table and holds a QS/THE band Abertay lacks entirely. Abertay still wins if your course is games, cybersecurity, or forensic science specifically.
Abertay University Ranking by Subject: Where It Actually Leads
The overall Abertay University ranking hides a lot of variation between courses, which matters more than the headline number when choosing a program.
| Subject | Ranking Highlight | Who should note this? |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Games & Cybersecurity | First university in the world to offer a computer games degree (1997) and the first in the UK to offer ethical hacking (2006); ranked #1 globally for International Undergraduate Game Design and #5 on the overall Top 50 Game Design Undergraduate list | Students set on game design, game development, or cybersecurity careers |
| Forensic Science | UK top 5 for student satisfaction; among CUG's top 10 subject tables overall | Students considering forensic science or applied criminology |
| Mental Health Nursing | Top in Scotland for student satisfaction; top in the UK on the Guardian's value-added measure | Students applying for nursing programmes based in Scotland |
| Food Science | UK top 40 for research quality | Students interested in food science, nutrition, or applied biosciences |
Counselor insight: If your only goal is a high overall rank, Abertay is a hard sell this year. If your goal is a specific course, especially games, cybersecurity, or forensic science, the subject numbers tell a much stronger story than the overall ranking.
What Abertay University Costs: Tuition, Scholarships, and Living in Dundee
1. Tuition Fees at Abertay University
Abertay fixes your tuition rate in your first year and keeps it unchanged for the rest of your course. International undergraduate tuition typically runs £14,000 to £18,500 a year depending on the course, with postgraduate teaching fees in a similar band.
| Study Level | Approx. Annual Tuition Fee (International) | Approx. in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | £14,000 to £15,500 | Rs.17.85 lakh to Rs.19.76 lakh |
| Postgraduate Taught (MSc, MA) | £14,000 to £18,500 | Rs.17.85 lakh to Rs.23.58 lakh |
| Global MBA | Around £18,000 | Rs.22.95 lakh |
Source: Abertay University's tuition fees
2. Scholarships for International Students
Abertay does not require a separate application for its main international awards; eligible students are notified automatically once their offer is confirmed.
| Scholarship | Amount (INR) | Who gets it? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abertay International Scholarship | £3,000 a year, up to £12,000 over 4 years | Rs.3.82 lakh a year, up to Rs.15.30 lakh | International undergraduates, awarded automatically on offer |
| Abertay Graduate Scholarship | £3,000, one-time | Rs.3.82 lakh | Postgraduates with a 2:1 or equivalent bachelor's degree |
3. Cost of Living in Dundee
Dundee is one of the more affordable Scottish cities to live in, consistently cheaper than Edinburgh or Glasgow.
| Expense | Monthly Cost (GBP) | Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat, city centre | £727 | Rs.92,700 |
| 1-bedroom flat, outside centre | £548 | Rs.69,900 |
| Living costs excluding rent (single person) | £756 | Rs.96,400 |
| Public transport pass | £43 | Rs.5,500 |
Source: Numbeo, Cost of Living in Dundee
Abertay University Acceptance Rate, Entry Requirements, and Documents Checklist
Abertay's acceptance rate is around 85%, among the more accessible UK universities for international applicants. The table below combines entry requirements with the documents you will need.
| Requirement | Detail | India-Specific Note |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | Around 85% | Comparatively accessible among UK universities |
| Academic score (undergraduate) | Around 65% or equivalent | CBSE, ICSE, or state board Class 12 marksheets are accepted |
| Academic score (postgraduate) | Relevant bachelor's degree, typically 55% to 65% or 2:1 equivalent | Standard 3 or 4-year Indian bachelor's degrees are accepted |
| English language | IELTS 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 (or TOEFL 78+, Duolingo 105+, PTE 59+) | Pre-sessional English courses are available if you fall just short |
| Portfolio | Required for games, art, and design courses | Submitted online during the application, not a physical document |
| Key documents | Passport, academic transcripts, statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, proof of funds, CAS (issued after your offer) | Passport should stay valid well beyond your intended course duration |
Abertay University Intake Planning Calendar for Indian Students
Abertay runs intakes in September, January, February, and June, with September and January offering the widest range of courses. Here is how that maps onto a typical Indian applicant's timeline for September entry.
| Timeframe | What happens at Abertay? | What should Indian students do? |
|---|---|---|
| September to December (prior year) | Applications open for the following September intake | Shortlist courses, start UCAS or direct application, book IELTS |
| December to January | January intake deadline; conditional offers begin for September | Submit documents, respond to conditional offers |
| March to April | Continued offer processing for September entry | Arrange proof of funds and finalise your SOP and LOR |
| May to June | Class 12 or bachelor's results declared in India | Send final transcripts to convert your conditional offer to unconditional |
| June to July | CAS issued once your offer is unconditional | Apply for your UK Student visa |
| August | UK results day and Clearing period nationally | Confirm accommodation and travel plans |
| September | Main intake begins with induction and Welcome Week | Arrival and course start |
Post-Study Work Rights: Graduate Route for Abertay University Graduates
- Under current rules, bachelor's and master's graduates get two years of post-study work in the UK, no job offer required.
- From 1 January 2027, this drops to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates. PhD graduates keep three years unaffected.
- The change depends on your application date, not your course start or graduation date.
- Apply on or before 31 December 2026: two years. Apply from 1 January 2027 onward: 18 months.
- Scottish undergraduate honours degrees run four years, so a September 2026 starter finishes around June 2030, well past the cutoff.
- Most one-year MSc programmes starting September 2026 finish around September 2027, also past the cutoff.
- A January 2026 MSc completing around December 2026 or January 2027 has a narrow but real shot at the current two-year rule.
Is Abertay University Worth It for Indian Students? A Decision Framework
Whether Abertay University ranking’s "good enough" depends entirely on what you are optimising for.
If you are set on game design, game development, or cybersecurity
Abertay's subject-specific reputation and industry links through Dundee's games cluster matter more here than its overall QS or THE position. Its #1 international undergraduate game design ranking is a genuinely strong signal for this path.
If you are comparing Abertay against a QS-ranked university on a tight budget:
Abertay's fees and Dundee's lower cost of living make it noticeably cheaper than Glasgow, Edinburgh, or St Andrews for similar teaching quality in its strong subjects. If your career doesn't lean on brand-name prestige, this trade-off is often worth it. If you're eyeing consulting or banking roles where recruiters screen by QS rank, a top UK university for master's with a QS position may serve you better.
If your priority is post-study work time
Given the Graduate Route changes, timing matters more than ranking. A one-year MSc starting January 2026 has a narrow chance at the current two-year rule; anything from September 2026 onward should be planned around 18 months.
Key Takeaways on Abertay University Ranking
- Abertay University ranking depends on which body you check: 105th in the Complete University Guide 2027, 55th in the Guardian's current table, and absent from the main QS and THE world tables.
- Check the subject-specific ranking before judging Abertay by its overall number. Games, cybersecurity, and forensic science rank far better than the university does as a whole.
- If you're starting September 2026 or later, plan around 18 months of post-study work, not two years. That's true no matter which university you pick.
Verified by: LeapScholar's UK counseling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through Scottish university applications and similar UK admissions.
Have questions about studying at Abartey University? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abertay University Ranking
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What is Abertay University ranking?
University of Abertay ranking in the Complete University Guide 2027 is at 105th out of 130 UK universities, down from 94th last year. The Guardian's latest table (2026) puts it at 55th. It isn't in the main QS World University Rankings at all.
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Does Abertay show up in the QS World University Rankings?
Abertay University ranking doesn’t show in the main table. QS only lists Abertay in its regional Europe list, at #162, a smaller exercise separate from the flagship World Rankings most people mean by "QS ranking."
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Is Abertay actually a good university for international students?
Depends what you're studying. For games, cybersecurity, or forensic science, Abertay's reputation genuinely holds up against much bigger names. If you're chasing prestige for its own sake, the missing QS and THE rank is worth weighing.
-
How does Abertay rank for computer games specifically?
This is where the numbers flatter Abertay: #1 globally for International Undergraduate Game Design, and #5 on the broader Top 50 list. Makes sense, since it was the first university anywhere to offer a computer games degree, back in 1997.
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Is Abertay part of the Russell Group?
No. It's a modern university, a separate category from the 24-member Russell Group, which includes bigger, older, research-heavy Scottish institutions like Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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What's the actual acceptance rate at Abertay?
Around 85%, by the most consistent estimates available. That puts it toward the more accessible end of UK universities, though you still need to clear the academic and English language bar.
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What if my IELTS score is a touch below what Abertay wants?
Talk to their international admissions team about pre-sessional English options before assuming you need to reapply next year. The requirement is 6.0 overall with nothing below 5.5, and the pre-sessional route exists to bridge exactly that gap.
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Does a lower ranking hurt my chances at the UK Graduate Route visa?
Not at all. The Graduate Route doesn't care about ranking; it's open to graduates of any UK university on an eligible course. What matters right now is timing: post-study work drops from two years to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027 onward, and most Abertay applicants starting September 2026 or later fall into that window.
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How does Abertay stack up against other Scottish universities?
Below Edinburgh, Glasgow, and St Andrews on the QS and THE world tables, since those are bigger, older, research-heavy institutions. On UK-specific measures, especially student satisfaction, the gap closes considerably.
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