The University of Dundee was founded in 1881 and became a college of St Andrews University in 1897. Independence was regained in 1967 and the University will celebrate 50 years as an independent university in 2017. Over the years the University has merged with Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Northern College of Education and Fife and Tayside Schools of Nursing. Former rectors include Sir Clement Freud, Sir Peter Ustinov, Stephen Fry, Fred MacAulay, Lorraine Kelly and the current rector is Hollywood actor Brian Cox.
Dundee's City Campus is a true city centre campus only five minutes’ walk from a wide range of high street brands and independent shops and the cultural quarter. Ninewells Campus, located at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, is about a 20-minute walk from the City Campus. International air connections are possible via Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports (around 1 hour 15 minutes' by road/rail). Direct flights to London are available from Dundee Airport. Dundee is on the main East Coast rail service with direct services to Newcastle, York and London. The railway station is only five minutes' walk from the City Campus. The city's bus station is only 10 minutes’ walk from City Campus and provides connections with many major cities in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Over 200 undergraduate courses are available in 14 academic Schools. Many courses offer the flexibility to choose new subjects and possibly to change your degree specialism in later years. Traditionally undergraduate degrees in Scotland are of 4 years duration (with the exception of architecture, dentistry and medicine). However, it is possible to complete a large number of honours degrees in 3 years by starting in Level 2, provided applicants have met the minimum entry requirements. The 4 year MA (Hons) degree programmes allow students to study a range of subjects in Levels 1 and 2. Art and design, life sciences and engineering follow core curriculums in Level 1, allowing students to change specialism in Level 2. A number of new discrete 3 year Honours degree programmes are available to those meeting the relevant entry requirements. This currently includes LLB English Law, BSc Applied Computing: Human Computer Interaction and nine art and design specialisms
The University of Dundee has a long-established commitment to teaching quality and student experience (top for teaching quality in UK in 2006 league tables). In the National Student Survey 2013, over 88% of our students were satisfied with their teaching in many subjects (86% average). Moreover, 100% were satisfied in History, Politics and Town and Regional Planning. The Complete University Guide 2014 ranks Anatomy & Physiology and Civil Engineering at Dundee as top in Scotland and Pharmacology, Social Work and Town & Regional Planning in the top 3 in Scotland.
The University received a favourable Quality Assurance Agency (ELIR) report in 2014. This highlighted that students are very positive about their experience of the University; that there is a strong partnership with the Dundee University Students’ Association, with student representation embedded at all levels of the institution; that the University is successful in supporting a diverse student population, with particularly positive feedback from students in relation to Disability Services, the Careers Service and the Library and Learning Centre; and that the University provides a comprehensive range of opportunities for students to develop their employability skills, including the innovative Enterprise Gym and Placement Base.
Dundee offers a good mix of subjects, and is particularly strong on professional and accredited degrees, such as medicine, law, dentistry, architecture, education, accountancy and nursing.
There are further strengths in life sciences, engineering, computing, humanities, and social and environmental sciences.
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is one of UK's top art schools. The University is top in Scotland for research in Art and Design, Civil Engineering, Biological Sciences and Laboratory-based Clinical Sciences (2008 RAE). There were further strong performances in History, Geography and Environmental Studies, Nursing and Midwifery, Computing, and Philosophy. Dundee has one of the highest graduate starting salaries in Scotland, with an average first job salary of £21,569.
Over 750 generally available PCs on campus – sited in library study zones and traditional computer suites. Wireless access is available (including WiFi printing) throughout teaching and learning spaces across the campus. Wireless and cabled access to the University’s high speed network in all University accommodation. The main library has recently been given a £6-million extension, and new features include flexible learning spaces, extensive electronic resources, self-service machines to issue and return books/DVDs, laptop charging points and lockers, and a café. Opening hours are from 7.30am until 2.30am Monday to Friday and from 9am until 2.30am at the weekends during the academic year. The university has one of the most advanced online learning environments available to students in the UK – available via the internet and mobiles, supporting all courses and providing specialist academic search and discovery tools.
Dundee University Students’ Association (DUS) has consistently been ranked among the best students' unions in the UK. Situated in the heart of the campus, the Union is a stylish and contemporary bar and nightclub which regularly hosts bands and DJs and offers a range of entertainment at night. Offering a large convenience store and a range of food outlets, inclding fast food takeaway, all-you-can-eat buffets and table service meals, the Union is the perfect place to find everything you need. Over 70 student societies are currently affiliated to DUSA catering to a variety of interests and specific groups including acting, international students and a wide range of sporting activities.
Students interested in a career in media can get involved with Discover Radio, DUSA's own internet radio station, DUSA TV, Scotland's leading student television channel, or The Magdalen, the University's student magazine. DUSA has one of the strongest representation structures in Scotland with its members sitting on the majority of University committees. The student Executive committee and Student Representative Council lead DUSA and ensure all activities are undertaken with the best interests of students at heart. In addition to the Student Services Advice Team, the University’s hosts a Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Student Law Clinic in DUSA, where students can access a range of advice.