University of Dundee
A compact city-centre university on the River Tay, known for life sciences, medicine, art and design and forensics.
- Students
- 15,420
- International
- 36%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 19.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £19,450
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1881
About Dundee
The University of Dundee began as University College, Dundee, founded in 1881 with money from the Baxter textile family, spent much of its early life as part of the University of St Andrews, and became an independent university by royal charter on 1 August 1967. Its main campus is in the city's West End, close to the River Tay, with the School of Medicine at Ninewells Hospital and nursing teaching in Kirkcaldy.
Dundee is organised in four faculties: Arts and Social Sciences (including Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and Dundee Law School), Health (Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences and Psychology), Life Sciences, and Science, Engineering and Business. Its life sciences research is its best-known strength, with units such as the Drug Discovery Unit, the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, while the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification and the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science lead in forensic anatomy.
As in the rest of Scotland, most degrees last four years, with advanced entry to year two for strong A-level or IB applicants. Typical offers range from CCC or BBC (Computer Science) and BBB (Scots Law) to AAA for Medicine and A*AA for Dentistry. Dundee suits students who want a friendly, walkable campus and research-rich science or medicine.
Magnificat anima mea dominum
“My soul doth magnify the Lord” — university motto
Why students choose Dundee
Dundee is ranked 12th in the UK by the Daily Mail University Guide 2027 and 20th by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027.
Scottish-style four-year degrees let A-level and IB students with higher grades enter directly into year two, finishing in three years.
International students (except Medicine and Dentistry) can receive scholarships of up to £7,500 a year with AAB at A-level or equivalent.
Everything in the compact city-centre campus is within a ten-minute walk, and first-years are guaranteed an ensuite room offer.
Admissions
2027 entry (September 2027)
Selectivity
Dundee does not publish an overall offer rate. For Medicine (A100), 1,951 applications for 2023/24 entry led to 844 interviews, 570 offers and 218 new students (the latest published statistics); most other courses have moderate typical offers.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | For UK applicants: Computer Science CCC (year 1) or BBC (year 2 entry) with Mathematics; Animation BCC (year 1) or BBC (year 2); Scots Law BBB; Medicine AAA (widening access ABB) with Chemistry or Biology and another science; Dentistry A*AA with Biology and Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Scottish Highers | Computer Science BBBB; Scots Law ABBB; Medicine and Dentistry AAAAB in one sitting (widening access AAABB) |
| IB Diploma | 28 points with 5,5,4 at HL (Computer Science, Animation, year 1) or 30 points (year 2); 32 points with 6,5,5 at HL (Scots Law); 37 points with 6,6,6 at HL (Medicine, Dentistry) |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 Course-specific. Computer Science: IELTS 6.0 (6.0 writing, 5.5 elsewhere) or TOEFL iBT 80. Scots Law: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 writing and speaking) or TOEFL iBT 87. Medicine: IELTS 7.0 in every component or TOEFL iBT 95. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine and Dentistry) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Medicine A100 and Dentistry; UCAT required and interviews held.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Dundee's course pages list 13 January 2027 as the UCAS equal consideration deadline for most courses.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received after this are entered into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027; places depend on availability.
UCAS dates for 2027 entry. Dundee says Medicine and Dentistry applications for September 2027 could be started in UCAS from May 2026.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS with a personal statement and reference. Medicine (UCAS code A100) and Dentistry applicants sit the UCAT and are selected for interview on academic record, predicted grades and UCAT score.
What admissions looks for
- Grades at the standard offer, or the widening access offer for eligible applicants under Dundee's contextual admissions policy.
- Essential subjects, such as Mathematics for Computer Science and Chemistry or Biology plus another science for Medicine.
- For Medicine and Dentistry, strong GCSEs (Biology and Chemistry at 7 for Medicine), a competitive UCAT score and performance at interview.
- Qualifications achieved in one sitting where stated, such as Highers for Medicine and Dentistry.
Tips for applying to Dundee
- 1 If you have strong A-levels or IB, check the year 2 (advanced entry) requirement: you could finish a Scottish honours degree in three years.
- 2 Look at Dundee's published Medicine admissions statistics to see how many applicants are interviewed and the UCAT range of those invited.
- 3 International applicants with AAB at A-level (or equivalent) should check the £7,500-a-year scholarship for their region.
- 4 Apply for accommodation early: first-years are guaranteed an offer of an ensuite room, subject to terms and conditions.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
Dundee offers partial fee scholarships rather than full funding. Scottish-fee students may receive £1,500 to £2,500 a year (for example £2,500 for Medicine or Dentistry). International undergraduates (excluding Medicine and Dentistry) can receive up to £7,500 a year with AAB at A-level or equivalent, depending on region, plus Alumni and Family scholarships of £1,500 to £3,000.
- £7,500 per year
- International scholarship with AAB or equivalent (2026/27 scheme)
- £2,500 per year
- Scottish students, Medicine or Dentistry (2026/27)
- From £179.48 per week, bills included
- Ensuite accommodation
Academics
Academic calendar: Four-year Scottish honours degrees, with advanced entry to year 2 on many courses
Medicine (MBChB)
Five-year A100 course taught largely at Ninewells Hospital, with clinical skills from year one; AAA and UCAT.
Dentistry (BDS)
A*AA with Biology and Chemistry; international fee £42,150 in year one.
Biological Sciences and Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery
Taught alongside Dundee's Drug Discovery Unit and MRC PPU in the Faculty of Life Sciences.
Forensic Anthropology (BSc)
Linked to the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification and the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science.
Animation (BDes)
Taught at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design; BCC for year 1 entry.
Law (Scots) LLB
BBB typical offer, with dual-qualifying Scots and English law and energy law variants.
Research
- 84% of Dundee's research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021.
- Life sciences units include the Drug Discovery Unit, the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation.
- The Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification and the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science are based in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Business.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
- Dundee Law School
- Faculty of Health
- School of Medicine
- School of Dentistry
- Faculty of Life Sciences
- Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Business
- University of Dundee School of Business
Dundee is 2nd in Scotland for graduate prospects in the Guardian University Guide 2026, and scored 84.8% overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2025.
Student life
Dundee's city campus is compact, with teaching buildings, the library, the students' association and halls within a short walk of each other and of the city centre. There are over 150 sports clubs and societies, and every student has a dedicated academic adviser. Around one in seven Dundee residents is a student in term time, so the city is geared to student life, with galleries, cinemas and nightlife, and Tentsmuir's beaches and forest a ten-minute bus ride away.
- Over 150 sports clubs and societies.
- Geddes Quadrangle and its sundial at the heart of the old campus.
- Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design on the city campus.
- Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve a ten-minute bus ride away.
Housing. First-year students are guaranteed an offer of ensuite accommodation (terms apply), in flats on and off campus from £179.48 a week with bills included.
Location
Dundee is Scotland's fourth-largest city, on the north bank of the River Tay, with, as the university puts it, excellent transport links to the rest of Scotland and the UK. It is a manageable size for students, with a waterfront, galleries and a lively student scene, and the coast, beaches and mountains are close by.
Nearest airport: Dundee Airport (DND); Edinburgh Airport (EDI) for most international flights
Notable alumni
- SJ Sir James BlackPharmacologist; 1988 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; studied medicine at University College Dundee
- GR George RobertsonPolitician; tenth Secretary General of NATO
- GL Gary LightbodyLead singer of Snow Patrol
- SP Susan PhilipszArtist; 2010 Turner Prize winner
- JB Johanna BasfordIllustrator
- AJ Alan JohnstonBBC correspondent
- SR Sir Robert Watson-WattEngineer known for his work on radar
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for the University of Dundee?
It depends on the course and entry year: for example Computer Science asks for CCC (year 1) or BBC (year 2 entry) with Mathematics, Scots Law BBB, Medicine AAA and Dentistry A*AA. Scottish applicants are assessed on Highers.
How much does Dundee cost?
For September 2027 entry, Scottish students pay £1,820 a year (usually covered by SAAS), students from the rest of the UK and Ireland £10,050, and international students £19,450 for most courses and £57,600 for Medicine.
How competitive is Medicine at Dundee?
For 2023/24 entry, Dundee received 1,951 Medicine applications, interviewed 844 applicants and made 570 offers. The UCAT and an interview are required.
Can I skip first year at Dundee?
On many courses, yes: A-level and IB students with higher grades can apply for year 2 entry, for example BBC or 30 IB points for Computer Science.
Does Dundee offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. Depending on region, international undergraduates (excluding Medicine and Dentistry) can receive up to £7,500 a year with AAB at A-level or equivalent.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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