Overview

Abertay University has longstanding interests and track record in Applied Games research, an umbrella term for practice-based, theoretical, and experimental research exploring how games can be used in contexts beyond entertainment. This includes but is not limited to games for social change, game-based learning, educational games, history games, games for science communication, games for health, and games for heritage.

At Abertay, researchers benefit from supervisory expertise encompassing not only Design and Computing disciplines, but also adjacent disciplines relevant to the study of Applied Games, like Psychology or Sociology. Many of our academic experts have games industry experience, and Applied Games research also benefits from our Emergent Technology Centre.

Abertay University is the lead partner for InGAME: Innovation for Games and Media Enterprise, an AHRC-funded R&D centre for Dundee’s games cluster. Postgraduate students at the University will have access to research and development opportunities, as well as contact with professionals working within the games industry. Dundee is one of the UK’s oldest and most successful games hubs, and we have longstanding relationships with local, national and international game studios.

PhD

The award of the Doctor of Philosophy demonstrates that the main focus of your work is your personal contribution to knowledge in your discipline or field, through original research or the original application of existing knowledge.

How long is a PhD?

If you are studying full-time, you are expected to complete the award in 36 months. The minimum period to receive this is award is 24 months and the maximum is 48 months.

If you are studying part-time, you are expected to complete the award in 48 months. The minimum period to receive this award on a part-time basis is 72 months and the maximum is 96 months.