Information for Parents
FAQs about University life
“By creating we think, by living we learn” Patrick Geddes
We've compiled a list of questions that are frequently asked by parents:
Yes, if a student lives in halls of residence and uses a TV in their own room, they will need a separate TV licence. Your TV licence will not cover any children away from home.
Students who use a laptop or PC to watch TV also require a television licence.
Yes, parents can make residence fee payments on behalf of their child. Please visit the University's online store
If your son or daughter is going to be living in University accommodation, then basic insurance for personal property is included in the accommodation fees. However, there are some exclusions to be aware of (such as bicycles) so you may wish to top-up the basic policy. See the Residences webpage for full details.
The security of staff and students is of paramount concern to the University and a comprehensive network of security measures is in place to ensure that Dundee remains one of the safest places to study in the UK. A 24-hour manned security station at the heart of the city campus co-ordinates regular security patrols by uniformed officers, while numerous CCTV cameras at strategic external locations complement systems located in all University buildings. In addition, all Residences have security door entry, emergency telephones, Student Support Assistants and bicycle storage facilities. For further information, please consult our Security website.
The University does not keep a registered list of private accommodation. No private properties have been inspected by University staff therefore the University is unable to give any recommendation, endorsement or guarantee in regard to any private property, property owner or agent.
All full-time registered students at the University of Dundee will normally qualify for exemption from council tax. Please visit our webpage about council tax for comprehensive information.
Before the start of Welcome Week, we invite all new students who live in the local area to come to an informal welcome evening on campus. This allows students who live at home to meet each other before classes begin.
We also have student-led groups, Moody Minds and Peer Connections, who will be running various events during Welcome Week to ensure that all students settle in. This support network will connect new students to existing students and services so your son/daughter need not worry about feeling isolated.
We canvassed some of our students and put together a typical student budget detailing what students typically spend per week and over the academic year. This table can be found on our Living Costs webpage.
You'll be pleased to learn that the cost of living in Dundee is approximately 14% below the national average.
Dundee has more students per head of population than any other Scottish city. This fact is recognised by local employers who employ students for a range of part-time positions. Students can find out about current vacancies on the Careers Service Jobshop database. For more information please consult our Careers Service.
Undergraduate exams take place twice a year, in December and in April/May, with a resit session in August. Dates for results vary each year, so please check the registry's exams webpage to learn more.
Our term dates webpage gives you basic dates for teaching and vacation periods. Students will also receive a detailed timetable, either from their advisor of studies, or at the start of their course.
The only way to find out how well a student is doing is to ask them directly. For reasons of confidentiality, the University is unable to provide information about a student to any third-parties, including parents.
Every student is assigned an Advisor of Studies to ease them through all academic matters during their University career. In times of difficulty, their Advisor would be their first port of call. The University's Academic Achievement Teaching Unit also offers a number of courses and opportunities to improve upon academic skills.
Our professional and experienced student support services provide help for students with any personal, financial, health, disability or work related problems. Encourage your child to get in touch with them, no matter how great or how trivial the problem seems. They're also there to help all students learn the personal skills needed to build the lives and careers they want.
If you are concerned about your child and would like to speak to someone, you can call our Advice Team on 01382 388 590. Although we can't give out any information about students, this will at least alert us to any potential problems.
Dundee's main shopping area is only a five minute walk from campus. Find out more from our city guide.
In terms of food shopping, there are several supermarkets (and speciality international grocers) within walking distance, although for larger grocery trips, students might want to share a taxi.
There are no car parking facilities on campus for students (or parents), other than for those students who are registered disabled.
See our map of car parking areas for more information.
We give all applicants access to My Dundee for Applicants, our virtual learning environment, as soon as we receive their application. The discussion forum feature on My Dundee also allows applicants to communicate with each other online, and many new students 'meet' their flatmates virtually before setting foot on campus!
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