Welcome to the Abertay University Archives
Access to the Archives is currently limited due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. Please contact us at archives@abertay.ac.uk about your query and we will try to help as much as we can.
We collect and preserve the historical records of the University, and other archive collections of historical significance that relate to the University and its objectives.
The archives are free to use and open to everyone - members of the public, students, alumni and staff. People visit for all sorts of reasons: academic research, family history, local history, and even to inspire creative projects.
If you'd like to donate collections or memories to be held in trust by the Archives Service you can do this at our Archives Submission Page
Please explore the archive in the pages and image gallery below.
What's New
NEW "You Can Do It At DIT" Radio Shows - Listen to a unique record of the life and work of the Dundee Institute of Technology made in 1993 here.
NEW Abertay 25 Showcase - A showcase of the Abertay 25 project helping the Dundee community explore its rich history through the University archives.
NEW Highlights of Our Archives - see more items from our collections and find out the stories behind them here.
NEW Our Heritage - Find out about our history, illustrated through items from our archive collections here.
A Factory In Miniature - an exhibition looking at our history in jute training. Find out more.
First of Abertay's Firsts - part of Abertay 25. 25 innovations and changemakers who deserve to be celebrated. Find out more.
Archive Catalogue - our searchable archive catalogue is a continuing work in progress, and can be accessed here. You can also see a summary of our collections here.
Memories Re-Animated - find out how to share your memories of Abertay University and preserve them in the Archives. Find out more.
Find out more about what we do, and how to book an appointment.
Our Records
Records and collections relating to the University and its predecessor institutions going back to 1887.
Visiting the Archives
How to arrange an appointment to visit our unique Archive collection.
Image Gallery
Here are just a few of the many amazing images in our collection.
Explore the Archives
A Factory In Miniature: Abertay University and Jute Training, 1889-1984 Our first exhibition uses our archives and those of The Verdant Works Museum to explore our history with jute training from its small beginnings in 1889 until the closure of our Textiles Department in 1984. Find out more here.
Archivist's Blog: Annie Keir Lamont and Emergence Annie Lamont was a former student at Abertay who went on to become a prominent Dundee politician. Our Archivist explores her life and the message she left for the future. Find out more here.
Archivist's Blog: Abertay and Nursing Our Archivist delves into our history with developing Scotland's first science-based nursing degree. Find out more here.
Archives Colouring Activity The archive collections include a 1907 art nouveau style design for tiles in what is now Old College on Bell Street. The design has been turned into a colouring activity that you can download here.
Abertay 25 Plaque Design Competition You can find information and guidance on designing a plaque for our First of the Firsts competition here.
Archivist's Blog: The Day The Sex Pistols Played in Dundee Our Archivist discovers some "anarchy in the archives" as he delves into our history of inviting up and coming bands to play here. Find out more here
Archivist's Blog: First World War Heroes of Abertay For Armistice Day 2019 our Archivist looked into the lives of some former staff and students who fought and died during the First World War. Find out more here
