Program Overview

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 contact PGRS Recruitment.

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.

Our research at Abertay is inherently cross-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary, which brings benefits to arts researchers interested in utilising multiple technologies, examining audiences and users, and engaging with private, public and third sector stakeholders. We are a member of networks such as SGSAH and SICSA, which will provide you with opportunities to network with like-minded academics and research students across Scotland, and access training opportunities.