About Game Design Msc By Research, Mphil, Phd in Abertay University
This is a potential research degree area, subject to the approval of the University. If you are interested in undertaking a research degree in this area, please make contact with the Dean to discuss your proposal.
The UK video games sector is a highly dynamic and ever evolving global success story.
Abertay University continues to lead the development of games as an academic meta-discipline, incorporating computer science, computer art, digital design, sound and music, human computer interaction, and media studies.
Game Design at Abertay University covers a wide range of applied and theoretical research. As technologies evolve and audiences expand, now is an excellent time to engage with research in games, with applications in:
- Business growth and production studies
- Entertainment and storytelling
- Digital health
- Training and education
- Heritage and the arts
At Abertay, you will be supported to conduct this research by our world-leading expertise in computer games education, our connections with key industry partners such as Microsoft and Sony, and our specialist computer arts and game development facilities.
Our research is inherently cross- and inter-disciplinary, which is of particular importance for research in game design. We lead the InGAME project, one of the nine AHRC-funded Creative Industry Clusters Partnerships, which is a consortium of industrial and academic partners. This project will underpin growth of the regional games and media sector.
Dundee is one of the UK’s oldest and most successful games hubs. The city has longstanding relationships with local, national, and international game studios. Undertaking a research degree in game design at Abertay will prepare researchers for careers not only in academia, but also within wider society.
MSc by Research normally 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, MPhil normally 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time, PhD normally 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time
Academic qualification equivalents
- The minimum entry requirement for all our research degrees is an Upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent) at undergraduate level in an appropriate discipline and/or a Master’s degree. In some cases, appropriate professional or experiential learning may be considered in combination with a lower classification of Honours degree.
English language requirements (one of the below):
- IELTS: 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: 80 with no band less than 18
- PTE: 61 with no band less than 56)
Abertay University Highlights
Foundation Year |
1994 |
Type of University |
Public |
Location |
Urban |
Percentage of Undergraduates |
89% |
Graduate Prospects |
94% |
Acceptance Rate |
29.04% |
Mode of Application |
Online |
Type of Courses |
Full time/Part-time |
Abertay University Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses
International applicants are always encouraged to have an estimate of the expenses required to study in a foreign land before enrolling at any institute abroad. A basic estimate of the expenses comprising cost of living in the UK is as compiled below.
Tuition fee*
Course |
Fee for International students (in pounds) |
Undergraduate programmes |
15,500 / 14,000** |
Postgraduate taught degrees |
16,000 |
PhD/ MPhil/ MbR in Food, Environment, Sport, Science, Engineering |
14,750 |
PhD/ MPhil/ MbR in Ethical Hacking, Computing, Nursing, Computer Games, Computer Arts |
13,750 |
PhD/ MPhil/ MbR in Economics, Accountancy, Counselling, Marketing, Management, Sociology, Psychology, Business |
12,750 |
Pre-sessional English programme (5 weeks) |
1100 |
Pre-sessional English programme (9 weeks) |
2200 |
*One must note that the tuition fees are different for Scottish and EU students and students from England, North Ireland and Wales.
**Note that the tuition fee may vary for different courses.
Other expenses
Entity |
Estimated cost (in pounds) |
Accommodation |
300 – 400 per month |
Electricity and gas |
30 – 50 per month |
Telephone bills |
15 – 20 per month |
Travel (student railcard) |
30 per year |
TV licence |
147 per year |
Abertay University Application Process
Basic Admission Requirements
- Offer letter
- Referees
- Personal statement
- Minimum 65% in boards or equivalent A-levels or IB
- Specific requirements of countries.
- Visa
- Proof of proficiency in the English Language: The minimum score required for application with the university are as follows:
English Proficiency Test |
Minimum Score |
IELTS |
6.0 |
TOEFL |
78 |
Pearsons(PTE Academic) |
54 |
WAEC/NECO |
C6 |
International Bacc |
English B at S5 or H5( if pursuing English A then the result is not needed) |
Cambridge B2 First |
Cambridge Grading Scale-169 |
Cambridge C1 Advanced |
Cambridge Grading Scale-169 |
Cambridge C2 Proficiency |