Abertay University – Building Scotland’s Future Cyber Workforce
With programs that fuse hands-on innovation with industry demand, Abertay is poised to make Dundee a cybersecurity powerhouse, driving economic growth and global recognition.
Imagine a Dundee pulsing with digital dynamism, where its storied gaming heritage and cutting-edge cybersecurity expertise converge to ignite a tech revolution.
Abertay University, a global trailblazer in cybersecurity education, stands at the heart of this transformation, ready to propel the “Digital Dundee” vision into reality.
Renowned for launching the world’s first Ethical Hacking degree in 2006, Abertay is not just a university—it’s a launchpad for cyber warriors equipped to outsmart the world’s most cunning digital threats.
With programs that fuse hands-on innovation with industry demand, Abertay is poised to make Dundee a cybersecurity powerhouse, driving economic growth and global recognition.
Ethical Hacking
Dive into the BSc (Hons) Ethical Hacking, a program that electrifies students with the skills to think like hackers and defend like fortress builders. From penetration testing to digital forensics, students master C++, Python, and network security in Abertay’s high-octane Netlab and Hack Lab—isolated playgrounds where they battle virtual threats with real-world stakes.
Accredited by BCS and partnered with CREST, this degree catapults graduates into careers with starting salaries of £35,000–£40,000, often snagged by top firms before caps and gowns hit the stage. With a global shortage of 4 million cybersecurity professionals, Abertay’s graduates are the rockstars of a digital world under siege.
For those craving a broader canvas, the BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Cybersecurity blends the art of coding with the science of security. Students craft secure software for desktops, mobiles, and IoT devices, wielding both offensive and defensive techniques in labs that buzz with innovation.
Certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as Scotland’s first Gold Award Academic Centre of Excellence, this program ranks among the UK’s top five for course satisfaction. Graduates don’t just join the workforce—they shape it, stepping into roles like security engineers and network managers, fueled by Dundee’s tech ecosystem.
At the postgraduate level, the MSc Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity is a global game-changer, the only master’s of its kind in the UK. Whether on-campus or online, students dive into advanced arenas like malware analysis and secure software development, guided by expert faculty in intimate class settings. NCSC certification ensures alignment with national priorities, while partnerships with giants like Synopsys and PA Consulting open doors to high-impact careers.
Meanwhile, the online MSc Computer Science with Cybersecurity empowers students to tackle AI-driven threats and cloud security, preparing them for roles in IT intelligence and beyond. For leaders, the MBA with Cybersecurity fuses strategic management with cyber risk expertise, crafting visionaries who can steer organizations through digital storms.
Research at Abertay is where the future takes shape. MSc by Research, MPhil, and PhD programs push boundaries in human-centered security, intrusion detection, and IoT protection, supported by the Cyber Nexus network. Students don’t just study—they innovate, working in state-of-the-art labs to solve real-world challenges alongside law enforcement and industry titans.
Abertay’s InGAME initiative weaves gaming tech into cybersecurity, creating gamified training tools that could redefine employee awareness in a world where 68% of breaches stem from human error.
This electrifying portfolio aligns perfectly with 2025’s cybersecurity trends—AI-powered defenses, IoT security, and regulatory compliance—positioning Dundee to ride the wave of a $376 billion market. Abertay’s programs can fuel the Digital Dundee plan by expanding into AI and cloud security, launching a Cybersecurity Innovation Hub within the Digital Dundee Campus, and hosting a thrilling Dundee Cyber Summit to draw global talent.
By blending its gaming heritage with cybersecurity prowess, Abertay can craft gamified training platforms and secure smart city pilots, making Dundee a beacon for innovation. With partnerships from NCSC to NCR, and events like hackathons and CTF competitions, Abertay will keep talent in Dundee, powering a tech revolution that echoes from the Tay to the world.
Cyberquarter
The Abertay cyberQuarter, a dazzling £18 million hub opened in 2022, is the crown jewel of this ecosystem. Funded by £5.7 million from the UK Government and £6 million from the Scottish Government through the Tay Cities Deal, this four-floor powerhouse in the Annie Lamont Building brings together students, academics, and industry leaders to tackle global cybersecurity challenges.
With secure cloud-computing infrastructure, open-plan collaboration spaces, private offices for startups, and a cinema/lecture theatre, it’s a hive of innovation. Founding partners like NHS National Services Scotland, which brought 30 high-skill jobs to Dundee, and Smart Net Zero, blending cybersecurity with sustainability, highlight its impact.
The cyberQuarter’s Cyber Student Showcase and Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge electrify the community, connecting students with industry and fostering next-generation leaders.
