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University of Abertay Dundee
From The Student RoomTSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > University of Abertay Dundee
 The University of Abertay Dundee is a small university located in the Scottish city of Dundee. Though it has only been a university since 1994 it has a history dating back to 1888. It has developed a reputation as an institute for more vocational courses with computer games technology and forensic psychobiology two areas it is commended in. FacilitiesLibrariesThe Abertay Library opened in 1998 and has lots of books (surprisingly!) Spread over 4 floors, there is plenty of space to study, with around 30-40 computers on each floor (around 350 total apparently!), along with rooms for group work. There are also spaces set aside for laptops, where you can connect to the wireless network and plug your laptop if the battery is low. You can usually find more space to study on the upper floors, as the lift is reserved for disabled people, so few people make it to the top. The University also has electronic libraries, with journals and e-books for viewing, so you can access some stuff from home. The Library has pretty good opening times, and is open from 8:30am to 9pm Monday-Thursday until the end of the Autumn term, and 8:30am to 7pm on Fridays, and 10am-5pm over the weekend. IT and ComputingAs Abertay has a large computing department, the Computing at Abertay is pretty good, they offer webmail, a portal (intranet type thing) and web access to your files on the servers. There is also a wireless network across the campus, including the Student Union, however this seems rather tempremental, and did not work for the first few weeks of term for Mac users. Additionally, Linux users are not supported, and Windows Vista users may have issues. When the wireless network is available it is good, however access is limited to web browsing only (no FTP) and there is a websense internet filter in place, which can be rather irritating. It seems that the issue is related to there being more users than available IP addresses for the wireless network, as the university gives out Internet IP addresses rather than LAN IP addresses. SportsWelfareHealthcareDundee has a number of health centres that are always welcome to take on student patients. Student services in the main building can provide a list of these for you, although one might even be included in your registration pack. For emergencies, Dundee has Ninewells, one of the UK's foremost teaching hospitals. Ninewells is easy to reach from the town centre; it's the western-most terminus for most bus services. However, be warned; queues are normally big at weekends.
ShopsAbertay only has a sandwich shop and a book shop, which are in the union building. However there is a Tesco Metro about 5 minutes walk away in the city centre, along with a Lidl 5 minutes in the opposite direction. About a mile from the Alloway Halls is an Asda, and a Morrison's is due to open around the corner from Alloway Halls. Students staying in Heathfield Halls can use the University of Dundee's union shop, which has the essentials. RestaurantsThe Lounge bar of the Student Union serves good food cheaply for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast, cereal or rolls with Bacon, Sausage, Black Pudding etc are available, along with a full breakfast. For lunch, fish and chips are available, along with baguettes, paninis and burgers. There is also a Wetherspoons pub, a Lloyds pub, and a number of fast food restaurants that's only a five minute walk from the union. The Overgate and Forum shopping centres both have Greggs bakers. The streets running form the High Street towards the river (Union St, Commercial St, Castle St) all have a good selection of posher restaurants for when the parents come to visit! These include Papa Joe's and a nice Italian. BanksThere is a free to use ATM in the university, and also one in the student union. There is a Lloyds TSB round the corner next to the Wetherspoon pub, as well as a Halifax/Bank Of Scotland branch opposite the Tesco Metro. There are also other high street banks in the city centre, along with Building Societies such as Dunfermline and Nationwide. TransportThere are regular buses around Dundee, and from Alloway Halls there is a bus every 7-8 minutes during the day. A DaySaver ticket can be purchased on the bus for £2.60 allowing unlimited travel on Travel Dundee buses throughout the day, or for £69 a 10 week student ticket can be purchased, allowing unlimited travel on Travel Dundee buses for the duration of it. The only downside to this approach is that a term at Abertay lasts 12-13 weeks, so you could end up losing 2 or so weeks of a ticket if you are home whilst it is valid. Careers servicePart-time jobsWith Dundee being a town very mcuh geared towards students, there's a lot of part time jobs to be had in bars and clubs! The university job shop, next to Student Services in the main building, keep vacancies and application forms. The student union hires at the start of the first semester, as well as the end of semester three for positions for semester one and the summer. Dundee also has a nuber of call centres willing to hire students and fit hours around classes. Religous facilitiesAbertay has a chaplaincy service, as well as a Christian Union, who meet every Thursday at 5pm in the chapel. There is also a Mosque within walking distance of the University. SocialBars, Pubs and clubsEventsClubs and societiesAccommodationAccommodation policyFacilitiesResidences
Private sectorStudent CentreFinally the student centre is completed and it is looking fab. It comprises of on the ground floor, a shop and cafe area, with funky little chairs and sofas. The first floor houses the main bar and BlueSpace, an open area for sports clubs, special events, etc. On the second floor the sports bar which has great views over Dundee Law and pool tables and gaming machines, and is normally the busiest of the two bars, especially during sports events. On the top floor is an exhibition area and cinema, which shows a different feature film for free every Tuesday night. Also the student centre contains a night club which, although small, has has lots of big names playing in it, normally doing DJ sets, including the N-Trance, Ultrabeat and Dundee locals The View. The best thing about the badly needed student centre is that it is right across the road from the main University buildings and the library! It feels like a real university community now. Prices
EnvironmentArchitectureLocal areaTeaching qualityResearchAbertay is Scotland's top-rated university for research in environmental sciences and also has particular research strengths in computer games, psychology, and urban water systems. Industrial relevance and value to the local and national economies are a feature of all the university's research aims. Specialist Centres
Applying to Abertay?Thinking of applying to Abertay? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here? Other Abertay ArticlesWhy not read these other Abertay Articles? Links | 
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