My son is interested in Game Design/Development. In doing some research, we’ve discovered Abertay University in Dundee Scotland. It’s intriguing as it seemingly has an excellent reputation in the field. It is also WAY cheaper than a US education, which could greatly offset the cost of travel to and from. Any experience or knowledge about this school? Or about the international experience in general? Thanks.
Only know that it is known for being the first UK uni to have a Game Design course. Don’t forget that the headline number (tuition) doesn’t include room & board, and all accommodation is on a ‘self-catering’ basis (ie, no meal plan). You can use FAFSA, but it’s unlikely that there will be any other meaningful money.
Beyond that, just be aware that the UK system is much more hands-off than the US system. If your son is pretty self-sufficient, a self-starter and self-disciplined, he will be fine.
Yes I definitely realize it includes “less” than what the US college room and board include. BUT, it still adds up to only about $22K with tuition and housing, without food. That’s WAY better than NYU’s $60+K!!! Just hadn’t considered it before. He is pretty self-sufficient but being that far worries me a bit. Doesn’t worry him though! haha Something to consider I guess…
NYU isn’t the only school around. Why not consider RIT? Significant merit scholarships to there likely if his test scores aren’t bad.
In general, for an American intent on being in the US after graduation, an American school makes more sense. Pretty much no one in the US would have heard of Abertay.
Dear BostonMomof3
Abertay University in Dundee is the top university for computer games in Europe and the only one outside North America listed two years in a row by the Princeton review in the top 25 colleges to study computer games education.
We partner with both RIT and NYU as well as quite a few of the rest of the colleges listed in the Princeton review list 2016 (http://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=top-50-game-design-ugrad&page=2) and (http://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/game-design/top-25-game-design-grad). Our brand is well recognised by industry and the academic community world-wide and is specifically associated with computer games and ethical hacking education and research. We are home toDare to Be Digital - a student competition for computer games held in Dundee every summer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iSYGsYid6M) and have launched a summer school in 2016 associated with the competition and giving students an opportunity to experience game design and development ‘the Abertay way’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3GsO8BEpAc).
If you would like to receive more information about the programmes and our alumni destination in the USA and worldwide, I will be happy to connect with you offline.
I wish your son all the best in finding the most suitable option for his degree.
Maria
PurpleTitan, He is considering lots of schools, I just used NYU as an example because it’s so expensive (price contrast to the UK tuition price). I think Abertay is pretty well known in the gaming industry. Computer gaming is a pretty global community and industry. I do think for some careers the idea of studying overseas would be limiting. I don’t think that’s true for gaming. Hence the consideration…
MariaLaw, thank you, do you have an affiliation with Abertay? Would def be interested in communicating more, if so. Thank you!
My son is currently at Abertay doing this course. The Computer Games Dept is very well regarded and my son has found the course challenging but worthwhile. Dundee is quite a student city as apart from Abertay there is also University of Dundee and a large Art and Design College. Abertay is set pretty much in the town centre and there is a fair amount of “Student only accommodation” in close proximity to the teaching labs/rooms. Jo is a dual national but we have been back in the UK for some considerable time - however we have been using Education IRA money and Abertay is recognised with a FAFSA reg. If you want any more info I will monitor this site to see if I can help
Thank you tujeste! Any insight into the games program is helpful. Is the student body friendly? I worry about him being that far away without knowing anyone…