Only 30 minutes by train from central London and you arrive at the University of Bedfordshire. Although a new university, it remains an institution with a rich heritage, and academic roots dating back to 1882.
The University of Bedfordshire has 20,000 students from more than 120 countries worldwide, and is spread across five campuses:
Luton campus
A town centre based campus which boasts a range of industry-standard facilities as a result of a major investment programme, including a new seven-storey library
Bedford campus
An enclosed leafy campus which houses the PE and Sport Science Centre which was used to train athletes in the 2012 Olympic Games
Putteridge Bury
An Elizabethan mansion which is home to many of our postgraduate students, and the University Conference Centre
Buckinghamshire campus
In Aylesbury, with dedicated facilities for our Nursing students
Milton Keynes campus
The newest campus which opened in 2013
The university was awarded silver in the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework.
Students say:
“Enjoyable, has taught me a lot and given me independence. I've gained transferrable skills and have received good preparation for job hunting and the world of work”
“It's been amazing, the best years of my life. The university is great, I'm learning loads on my path to my chosen career and the people I've met are amazing and my best friends”
The University of Bedfordshire has a 92% employment rate (according to DLHE – Destination for Leavers of Higher Education 2016) thanks to access to “world-leading” academics (REF 2014), coupled with a practical approach to course delivery that will give you not only the theoretical knowledge you need, but experience that will prepare you for life beyond graduation.
Students say:
“They make a very good effort, they give you all the help they can”
“FAST track system to employ students after qualification. Employment fair, notifications on the university page.”
“Employment fairs, regular job emails, etc.”
Courses at the University of Bedfordshire have a strong vocational focus which is rated highly by our student reviewers, as you get to really understand the subject matter and learn by doing. Lecturers are academic experts, many of whom are actively involved in industry and are experts in getting the best out of students.
The University of Bedfordshire is a champion of practice-based education. For example, within the Business School, students can benefit from ‘Practice Weeks’ in which you’ll get to work alongside businesses on real projects.
In addition to your regular course schedule, the university hosts a wide range of industry visits and high profile masterclasses with industry insiders. Previous masterclasses have involved the likes of Gemma Hunt, CBBC Presenter and Bedfordshire Alumni, and Alastair Thrush, Lead Academy Physiotherapist at Arsenal Football Club.
Students say:
“The course was insightful, facilities were good, lecturers were helpful and passionate.”
“The lecturers are excellent and are here to help you achieve your best and most will answer your queries promptly.”
Be Heard: Beds SU is run by five full-time officers, who are elected by University of Bedfordshire students each year. The Union ensures that student views and feedback are heard and represented at all levels.
Be Involved: There are a whole range of clubs and societies for students to get involved in whilst at university as well as over 40 sports teams, who compete with other universities in the BUCS league.
Be Supported: Beds SU provides impartial advice and support on a wide range of issues including finance, housing, safety and representation.
Be Entertained: The Metro Bar and Kitchen in Luton and the Hub in Bedford offer a range of affordable food and drink options. They also host regular events including quizzes, comedy nights and club nights.
Students who have got involved with the SU at Bedfordshire speak very highly of it.
Students say:
“Best thing about the uni…I always felt welcome there”
“Student Union is well organised and hold many events for their fellow students.”
“Keen to improve. Happy to support the representatives and students. Want to include all students and create a community. Very engaged and hard working.”
Accommodation at the University of Bedfordshire is of a high standard, with many en-suite options and all with free wifi and trained security staff present, and all first-year students are guaranteed a place.
Your rent covers everything including bills and contents insurance. Final costs vary depending on where you stay, how long you stay (42 and 51 week contracts are available) and what type of room you want.
The different choices are split across the three different sites:
Luton
There are more than 1,800 rooms for students studying at the Luton campus in Fitzroy and Wenlock Court. Here, there is a free on-site gym and regular social events. The Student Village also provides accommodation options for Bedfordshire students in Luton.
Bedford
There are two options for those based at the Bedford campus: the Student Village or Liberty Park. The Student Village comprises 168 rooms, some of which are en-suite and some of which have shared bathroom facilities and Liberty Park boasts 430 bedrooms which are grouped into flats with communal facilities.
Milton Keynes
Accommodation for students studying at Milton Keynes is available at the Bedford as above. A free shuttle bus runs between the two campuses though so it’s easy to get to your lecturers from your home.
Our student reviewers praised the staff and cleanliness of their university accommodation.
Students say:
“Very good. Clean, friendly, secure. Has an amazing staff and great environment”
“Close to uni and nice and clean”
“The accommodation is nice and staff are friendly”
In 2016 a purpose built, seven storey library opened at the Luton campus, featuring dedicated silent areas, breakout spaces and pods to facilitate group work, state-of-the-art IT equipment and AV equipment. The Luton campus also features the Campus Centre, which houses all student services under one roof and includes a 240 seat lecture theatre. Other facilities at Luton include revolutionary Business Pods and a Law Moot Court, and a specialised Art and Design building, Alexon House.
Work is currently underway on a four-storey STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) building, due to open at the Luton campus in 2019. The new facility will allow the University to offer a wide range of new courses including Nutrition, Physics, Geology and Mechanical Engineering.
The Bedford campus benefits from Gateway, a purpose built three storey building featuring everything a student could need under one roof. There is also a Physical Education and Sports Science Centre which was used to train athletes in the 2012 Olympics.
Our student reviewers were particularly impressed by the new facilities, including the library.
Students say:
“A new library, it's the biggest advantage of the University”
“They are great, lots of facilities to choose from”
“Incredible 24/7/365 library with great resources. Great new building where you can work and book out rooms to practice presentations or work more privately. SiD is brilliant.”
With main campuses based in Luton and Bedford, the University of Bedfordshire allows you to study close to London (only a train ride away!) without the costs associated with living in the capital.
Luton is the largest town in Bedfordshire and surrounded by countryside if you want to take some time away from your studies. Luton Airport is only 3 miles from campus too, if you want to get even further away!
Bedford, where the other main campus is based, is a riverside market town with lots of parks and open spaces. There are a number of festivals and events hosted there throughout the year and it’s easily accessed by motorway from the rest of the UK.
There are also campuses in the smaller town of Aylesbury as well as bustling new town, Milton Keynes. Milton Keynes is a bustling "new city" which holds the largest growing "after 6" culture outside of London. It offers great shopping facilities, art exhibitions, musicals, canal-side promenades and great sports facilities. Aylesbury is bursting with culture, international cuisine and cool clubs.
Students say:
“There are lots of shops, restaurants and places to visit. Also London is just around the corner!”
"It's good, plenty of places to choose from"
"Vibrant"
The University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union (Beds SU) has on offer over 50 cultural, religious, arts and sports-based societies. These range from the Islamic society, to the ‘Grub Club’, to the Law Association, to cheerleading.
They’re also well known for the ‘Bedforshire Bulls’ – 1,000 student members across the campuses who compete in the British Universities and College Sports (BUCS) league. They were only set up in 2012 yet they’ve already got 11 league winners under their belts.
Our reviewers praised these options for the social aspect.
Students say:
“Very good way for students to socialise”
“The societies are good as they gave me the opportunity to meet new people”
The University of Bedfordshire has Student Information Desk's (SiD) located on each campus, with dedicated advisers that aim to resolve your issue, or put you in contact with someone who can. Students also have access to SiD online, which enables students to search a database of over 500 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), or log and update new and existing enquiries.
There are also specialist teams available to deal with issues such as disability support, mental health and money advice.
Our student reviewers have praised the support available to them at Bedfordshire.
Students say:
“Good support. Lecturers give good feedback. Very helpful student support/counselling service”
“Really good. regular office hours available with lecturers. There is also the opportunity for personal support with things such as mental health support and disability support”
“Very good for specific needs.”
UK/EU students per year: £6,200-£9,250
International students per year: £11,500
For the most up-to-date information please visit the University of Bedfordshire's website.
Welcome Package
A ‘welcome package’ is offered to all UK and EU students and offers a minimum of £450 to be spent on anything from course costs to extracurricular activities. You choose how to spend it and it can be given in the form of cash, credit on a university money card or even library print credit.
Sports Scholarship
Up to £1,000, plus other sporting benefits, can be given to students who perform well in sport and want to compete at a high level.
Care Leavers Bursary
This is available to students who are under 25 years old and being supported by a care service. Students can receive up to £5,700 if they are eligible for it.
The Bedfordshire Police Studentship Scheme
Open to students who have lived in Bedfordshire since May 2015, the bursary gives a 50% tuition fee waiver for three years. Five students can receive this, four undergraduates and one postgrad.
The University of Bedfordshire has been revealed as one of the world’s top young universities by Times Higher Education (THE) magazine. In the 2017 Young University rankings, which rates institutions under 50 years old, Bedfordshire was ranked in the top 200 universities in the world. The university was also named as being in the top 50 in the world for ‘Generation Y’ which looks at those universities established between 1986 and 1999
Sport and Physical Education
Nearly three quarters of Bedfordshire’s work in sports science, PE and leisure has been recognised internationally, and the work they’ve done has provided important results for elite athletes. They’ve also worked with high profile sporting organisations like the UEFA and the Olympic Commission and provided research to help them make decisions.
Research
The University of Bedfordshire is home to world-leading research with direct societal, economic and cultural impact. This is recognised in the UK-wide 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), and includes major areas of research such as advancing medical knowledge of serious and chronic disease, substance misuse, language assessment, and robotics technology that supports independent living.
The university accepts qualifications such as A-level, BTEC, Access Diploma and others that are on the UCAS Tariff. They are also happy to consider qualifications not currently on the tariff. Each application is considered on an individual basis so everything you’ve got to offer, including work and life experience, is taken into account. Generally, the requirement is two A-levels or the equivalent, so it is worth visiting the website to find out exactly what you need for specific courses.
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What's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion…
VIEW 513 REVIEWSI like it. I did study for 2 years in one of the EU countries so I am able to compare and I can say my expectations were high but I got even more. Relationship with academic staff, lecturers is so different, so much more involving. I would
My first year so far has been productive and I have learnt many transferable skills to my profession. I have made some new friends and have realised that I have more potential than I first thought I
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