Living in Dundee

Creative - Compact - Cultured

Dundee is a city of contrasts.

It's vibrant and cosmopolitan, but also friendly, compact and affordable.

The first UK city to be awarded UNESCO City of Design status, Dundee has a rich history of innovation and creativity, and, in recent years, has become a hub for the digital industries.

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"Britain's Coolest Little City"

The city's waterfront is currently undergoing a £1bn regeneration project. This now includes the impressive V&A Museum of Design. As a student at Abertay, you will be living in Dundee during the most ambitious cultural and physical development in a generation. 

It's an exciting time to be in Dundee.

THE best place to live in Scotland (Sunday Times)

Dundee is the only city to make the top 10 twice!

The Sunday Times guide looked at employment, house prices, schools and 'community spirit'. It's a very safe, friendly place to live; just big enough to be a city, small enough for you to get around really easily.

We would add the huge amount of places to eat including michelin starred restaurants serving fresh, local produce, pubs open till 3am, gigs from bands big and small and parks all over the city, you won't be disappointed if you come here. And not forgetting the fabulous views over the river Tay and beyond.

Food and Drink

Dundee's food and drink scene has taken off in recent years with dozens of new cafes, bars and restaurants popping up around the city.

Close to Abertay, you'll find outstanding Japanese, Thai, Mexican and Lebanese restaurants, as well as artisan coffee cafes and of course, some great pubs.

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Arts and Culture

Dundee is a city bubbling with art and culture.

Highlights include the Dundee Rep Theatre, Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), the McManus Galleries and our very own Hannah Maclure Centre.

The V&A Museum, opened in 2019, puts on exciting design and decorative exhibitions twice a year. The museum's imposing ship-like design, by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, is a nod to Dundee's maritime heritage.

Shopping

You’ll find high street favourites in Dundee’s Overgate Shopping Centre. With its impressive glass frontage, it’s the only single-sided shopping mall in Europe. The city also has plenty of cool independent shops, including Dundee institution Groucho’s Record Shop.

Nightlife

Whether you like a cosy pub or a banging techno night, Dundee’s nightlife delivers. Dundee’s biggest nightclubs regularly host some of the UK’s most well-known DJs. There’s also plenty of options for those that like live music with Clarks on Lindsay Street, Duke’s Corner, Church and Fat Sams all popular venues.   

Affordability

Your student finances go further in Dundee!

A recent survey named Dundee the cheapest city in Scotland for students. The survey looked at things like the cost of accommodation and grocery shopping. Weekly household costs are roughly 20% lower than in London and 10% cheaper than the UK as a whole. In short, it’s inexpensive to live in this great wee city.

That extra bit of money in your pocket means more to spend enjoying Dundee's cultural scene, cafes and nightlife.