Before You Arrive

What you need to know before you arrive on campus.

We're looking forward to seeing you at the start of the academic year. Please don't forget to read our regular email updates before you arrive. 

 

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Activate your IT account and register online

Activate your IT account

Once you've firmly accepted your offer to study at Abertay, our IT Service Desk will email you instructions so that you can activate your IT account. Look out for the email called 'Abertay University IT Account and Instructions'. You won’t be able to apply for accommodation or complete online registration until you've activated your IT account.

If you've accidentally deleted the email or have trouble activating or logging on, please email the IT Service Desk.

Assuming you join Abertay University in September, your IT account gives you your an Abertay email address, access to your timetable and the University’s platforms and learning tools.

If you don’t meet the conditions of your offer, or decide not to join Abertay for whatever reason, your IT account is disabled.

Online registration

Abertay’s Student Administration Team will email you with instructions about how to register by the end of August.

Online registration provides the University with the information we need to register you on your course, and to confirm agreement to the terms and conditions of study. It also includes choosing any MySuccess modules or option modules, as that’s how we put your personal timetable together.

There is a second part of registration that needs to happen in person on campus, and we will email you about how to do that.

Photo ID for in-person registration

All new students need to attend an in-person ID checking event during freshers week. You need some form of photo ID. So bring these if you have them:

  • Passport.

  • Driving licence (if you have one).

  • Proof of your home address.

International students - you will need to present your passport and other visa documentation in person. You'll be emailed about the date/time.

Begin your first module: ABE101 Being Successful at Abertay for year 1 entrants

ABE101 'Being Successful at Abertay' is the first module within the MySuccess Modules. As a first-year student at Abertay, you need to begin your first module as soon as you've completed online registration (enrolment).

You will cover areas such as: 

  • Navigating the Abertay systems,

  • The expectations of university,

  • Successful student behaviours,

and helps you to consider your strengths as well as areas for growth.

This applies to all undergraduate courses except BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing, BSc (Hons) Forensic Sciences and BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science. 

Once you're enrolled (registered), you'll receive details about how to access 'ABE101: Being Successful at Abertay'. It’s important that you complete this module as it forms a core part of your degree programme for your first year. 

You can access ABE101 from Monday 18 August. The assessment deadline is 12 Noon on Tuesday 23 September 2025 (Week 2 of Term 1).

Once submitted, you can congratulate yourself - you'll have completed your very first module at Abertay University!

For more details, please email the module leader, Jack Hogan.

Year 2 entrants: ABE201 Being Successful at University

As a year 2 entry student, you need to complete 'ABE201 Being Successful at University' as part of your 20-credit option choice during enrolment.

This module introduces you to the expectations of studying at university, successful student behaviours, referencing and the fundamentals of academic writing.

This 10-credit module launches on Monday 18 August. Keep an eye on your student emails, that's where you'll receive further details. 

You must complete Unit 1 'Assessment for ABE201' by 12 noon on Tuesday 23 September 2025 (Week 2 of Term 1). Once it's submitted, you can congratulate yourself - you'll have completed your very first assessment at Abertay University!

Please email Jack Hogan for more details.

What to bring

Handy to have with you

The University won't ask to see the following, but they will be useful to have if you're moving to the city from elsewhere. 

  • Bank account details.

  • National insurance number.

  • Proof of your home address.

  • Some form of Photo ID

Study essentials

The University provides the latest version of Microsoft Office free of charge, and we're an Adobe Creative Campus.

There are plenty shops in Dundee where you can pick up supplies, but the following may help get you started:

  • A laptop.

  • USB sticks.

  • Notebooks/writing pads.

  • Pens.

  • Folders.

Preparation courses - for college leavers

The Abertay College Transition programme (ACT) is for you if you're joining us from college.

It's a preparation programme to get you off to the best possible start at Abertay. Once you've registered for Abertay, you have online access and can do it in your own time.

Accommodation – student halls of residence/what to pack

Student halls

Once you have a firm offer from Abertay, you can apply for accommodation. If you're starting in September, you can book once we have emailed you to say that bookings are open, and emails are normally are sent out in the spring.

For full details of room types, pricing and info about the halls, see Student Accommodation. We partner with a private company who provide excellent student accommodation and the halls are ten minutes or less walk away from campus. Abertay students get preferential rates so check your emails for full details.

If you have booked a room in the halls of residence, you need to contact them directly about arrival dates and keys.

Bedroom essentials for halls

They don't supply bedding, so bring your duvet, pillows and sheets with you. We recommend you bring a mattress protector (Parker House supplies one). If you don’t want to carry bulky bedding on your journey, you can go shopping in Dundee when you arrive.

Other essentials

Everything here can be bought once you arrive but you may want to bring them from home.

  • Plates and cutlery.

  • Towels.

  • Cooking utensils e.g. saucepans, spatulas, tea towels.

  • Cleaning materials.

  • Toilet rolls.

  • Clothes hangers.

What not to bring

Please don’t bring items such as pets (!), fridges, freezers, tumble dryers, microwaves, toasters, kettles and heaters. They’re not permitted unless there is a specific reason such as medication that must be kept in a fridge. This list is not complete, for full details contact your accommodation provider. 

International students – getting here

Getting here

Travelling to Abertay - Airports

There are three major international airports you can fly into: Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. 

Edinburgh is the closest, but all of them are less than a two-hour drive from Dundee. Dundee has an airport which operates two domestic flights to and from London Heathrow Airport per day, so flying from there is an option.

If you are flying into a London airport, you can also get the train to Dundee. The train journey from London takes five-and-a-half to six hours and you'll usually get a cheaper ticket if you book in advance.

Getting from the Airport to Abertay

Taxis and private hire cars available. The fare will be approximately £90-£120 from Edinburgh Airport to Dundee, but please check with your driver, or with the private hire company directly. We recommend you book a taxi ahead of time to ensure you know what it will cost. It takes about 1.5 hours to get to campus from Edinburgh Airport.

You can take trains from the airports to Dundee and they are much cheaper than taxis. Check times, schedules, prices and book advance tickets on the Scotrail website. Dundee train station is approximately 10 minutes walk away from the Abertay campus.

You can arrive by coach (bus). There are two companies to choose from so they are fairly frequent. The journey takes 80-90 minutes and costs from £8-£15 depending on which service you choose. The coach drop off points in Dundee are five to ten minutes from campus. You need to book online in advance.

Or check here for more details about how to find us by car, plane, bus or train. 

International students - welcome events

International Student Welcome Event

We hold a welcome event for international students, where you can meet other people who have come from overseas and find out more about the University.

You'll see details in your account on the Intranet.

Welcome Week

The Welcome Week guide is available in your intranet account in early September. It shows the full programme of all academic, induction and social activities and how to access them.

To view the Intranet, you'll need to log in using your Abertay IT account and password.

How to find the campus

Here is a map showing the Abertay campus if that's what you are looking for.

Our address is:

Abertay University,
Bell Street,
Dundee,
Scotland, DD1 1HG

Or check here for how to find us by car, plane, bus or train. 

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