Lecturers are nice and engaging

Mostly online, but lecturers are fast to respond to emails

A little expensive but very friendly and helpful staff that respond quickly.

Abertay University has a smaller feel but that means you also get an incredible amount of attention and support from professors and student services. In my experience the biomedical science course is very lab oriented and you gain a lot of practical skills that connect to the scientific principles you are learning. It is an IBMS accredited course and you are also able to apply for a placement at surrounding hospitals in third year, which personally has been the best learning experience I have had to date and also allows you to complete a competency assessment that can help when applying for jobs in clinical biomedical science. Dundee is also a nice location as there are plenty of students from both universities - it is very walkable and there is certainly plenty to do between a wide selection of cafes, bars, the V & A and DCA museums, and other activities that pop up during the year. The waterfront is stunning, and transport to surrounding cities/towns such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and St. Andrews is very accessible and really allows you to travel across Scotland. Overall I am really happy to be studying at Abertay - I think the lab work we have undertaken has been really engaging, the essays we have been assigned are not just lit reviews but are often somewhat creative and really get you invested in the subject matter, and the professors are excellent and provide a lot of support/ furthering of your knowledge if you ask.

The biomedical science course at Abertay is excellent. You have plenty of time in the lab, and are introduced to a wide variety of technical skills and procedures that not only apply to what you are learning but also prepare you for a career. The professors provide many opportunities to engage with them on course content, which can really help you further your learning. I have found a lot of the assignments we have been given really interesting as they get you to think creatively about scientific material, and really deepen your understanding of the course. The essays we have had for the microbiology, clinical biochemistry, and bioethics modules particularly stand out. In third year you can also apply to undertake a placement in your second term at various hospital laboratories in the area such as at Ninewells , and I have found this experience so engaging - you really have people invested in your training who make sure you see a wide range of specimens and procedures. The course hours at Abertay allow a lot of self study (many lectures are pre-recorded), which is particularly beneficial if you want to balance a student job or other commitments. I have enjoyed this format because I can learn content at my own pace and at times that are convenient to me, but also have plenty of at uni tutorial sessions where you can work with others or learn skills/ ask questions.

Parker House is really close to Abertay, and very much city centre so you can essentially walk to anywhere you need to go. The typical set up is your own room but a shared kitchen, though some studio flats are offered, and I found it to be a good way to get to know people while still having your own space. It is quite clean and modern, and is a great option especially for first year students to settle into Dundee and meet other students.