FROM MEDICINE to art to pure hedonism Dundee has it all—including its very own “chic” apparently.

That is according to a new guide to British universities that will be released next month.

The Virgin 2007 Alternative Guide To British Universities bills itself as “for students by students” and “the only guide to tell you exactly what to expect at university whether you have just finished college or are a mature student.”

It is based on feedback from students and on the latest surveys, independent audits and statistics about each institution and includes entries written by students who actually attended the courses.

Both of Dundee’s institutions, and the city itself, receive favourable reviews in the book—although Abertay University is criticised for its high drop-out rate.

Dundee University is described as “one of a handful of genuine get-away-from-it-all-universities” due to the “breathtaking” scenery and mild weather in the area.

It is also praised for its healthy mix of local, international and mature students, which the guide says makes the university “one of the elite in the context of our government’s aspirations in higher education.”

The university’s excellent standards of teaching in the traditional professions are highlighted along with its growing reputation for scientific achievement.

However, it is Dundee University’s involvement with the city’s cultural reinvention through its highly rated art and design faculty that “provides a global dimension to ‘Dundee-chic’,” according to the book.

Less surprisingly, the guide focuses on Abertay’s reputation as one of the top places to study computer game-related subjects—but it is also acclaimed for its growing status as a force in sport.

The institution’s £500,000 sports science lab is lauded as “one of the best medicine facilities in the country” while its Elite Athletes Development Programme and wide variety of sports and pursuits available to students is praised.

However, the guide also raises the high drop-out rate of students at Abertay.

It cites the university’s high intake of students from disadvantaged areas as a factor but says, “Sadly they have not managed to peg the concomitant drop-out rate, which is computed to be a depressing 21%.”

A spokesman for Abertay refuted the claim, telling The Courier the figure was misleading and based on projections.

“This figure is taken from official statistics published last year by the Higher Education Statistics Agency,” he said.

“I’m afraid the Virgin Guide is quite wrong in calling it a ‘drop-out’ rate—it is actually the number of students who were ‘no longer in higher education’ one year after they first enrolled.

“In Abertay’s case, most of these students came directly into the third year and left at the end of the year with an ordinary degree.

“Many of them were European Union students coming via articulation agreements with continental institutions, who are here for one year only before returning to their own institutions to complete their honours studies.

He continued, “Other students in this category joined us from further education college with an HND, went directly into the third year of a degree course and then left after one year with an ordinary degree instead of staying for two years to complete an honours degree.”

He added, “A large proportion of our students are mature, with family and other commitments dictating a return to work sooner rather than later—in this context they regard an ordinary degree as genuine achievement and so do we.

“It’s insulting both to them and to Abertay to describe them as drop-outs.”

Dundee is heralded as one of the cheapest places in the UK for students to stay, with low crime rates, clean environments and decent public transport all cited as major plus factors.

Tayside Police are commended for their “hard line” stance towards reported crime, especially assaults on students, while landlords are thought to be reputable and provide good quality, spacious accommodation at affordable prices.

Elsewhere, St Andrews University is dubbed the Scottish “alternative to Oxbridge” by the guide and, despite saying it has a “rather tight academic straightjacket”, praises it for its high student/staff ratio of 10:1—the third best in Britain.

Although it questions the relevance of some of the more esoteric courses taught at St Andrews, such as Medieval History, Hebrew and Biblical Studies, the guide also says “this very traditional university” is far from out of date and clearly teaches management science and interpersonal skills well in all subjects.

Stirling University also gets glowing coverage in the book, particularly for its “student-centred ethos” and five star sporting facilities.

The guide describes it as a “premier-league university with a reputation for leading the way.”

The Virgin 2007 Alternative Guide To Universities is available from March 9 at £15.99