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4.03.03.0
The University of Bedfordshire is committed to student success and is proud to deliver a career-powered education. An award-winning institution with over 100 years of educational heritage, it's passionate about delivering postgraduate education that acts as a springboard to any future its students have set their sights on.
Postgraduate students can choose from over 120 master's degrees, research programmes and professional qualifications at the University of Bedfordshire, with options to study full-time and part-time. Full-time master's degrees last between one and two years as standard.
The University of Bedfordshire has a selection of vibrant and welcoming campuses across the county, these are located in:
Campuses offer a sense of community to the university's 20,000 students, as well as access to state-of-the-art facilities, modern teaching spaces and quality teaching. Bedfordshire is well-connected to the rest of the UK by road and rail, with London Luton Airport acting as a direct gateway to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a top quality education. In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (2024), it ranked third overall for postgraduate student satisfaction, and also:
Postgraduate qualifications include MSc, MA and MBA, as well as PGCert, PGCE and PhD. Students also have the option to study a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation at the Putteridge Bury campus.
Students can choose from a range of research or taught courses. For those unable to physically attend university on a regular basis, or those simply looking for the flexibility to study at their own convenience, a selection of distance learning courses are on offer too.
3.7The University of Bedfordshire provides first-class social and learning spaces. State-of-the-art facilities and equipment reflect the real-world workplace, helping students gain the transferable skills, knowledge and professional attributes needed for a successful career.
Luton
Bedford
Aylesbury
University of Bedfordshire campus locations provide the best of all worlds. Vibrant, culturally diverse towns offer a tempting choice of shops and entertainment with beautiful countryside on the doorstep and London only a short train journey away.
Whether students want to try go-karting or trampolining, sample global cuisines in independent restaurants and cafes or explore local culture at theatres, museums and art initiatives, there's always something new to discover.
Beds SU has a wide choice of faith, academic, cultural and recreational societies aimed at helping students to meet like-minded people and make life-long friends.
Students can also join sports teams and make use of free on-campus gyms staffed by qualified personal trainers. In addition, the Get Active sports participation programme enables students to take part in a variety of on-campus and online fitness activities alongside their studies, for free.
3.3Students automatically become members of the students' union (Beds SU). Beds SU is dedicated to empowering students to achieve their full potential while providing an excellent student experience along the way.
As well as offering free, impartial advice and support, it delivers a jam-packed schedule of organised events and entertainment in modern social spaces.
3.3The University of Bedfordshire prides itself on the provision of career-powered education, dedicated to amplifying student success and ensuring graduates excel in their chosen field. Courses are built with employability at their heart, and graduate competencies are clearly integrated into teaching and learning.
There is a real focus on career readiness at the university, with students obtaining technical skills specific to their industry, as well as soft skills which will benefit them throughout their academic and professional lives. Courses feature a blend of theoretical and practical learning and teaching staff have significant professional experience, bringing unique industry insights to the classroom.
Careers service
The university's careers and employability service provides free, professional, high-quality advice and guidance throughout students' time at the university and beyond. This service includes one-to-one career guidance appointments, online and on-campus events and workshops, mock interview sessions, and drop-in sessions.
The service also offers a range of free careers resources including instant CV feedback and psychometric practice tests.
3.0Students enjoy home-from-home accommodation at the university, voted the most cost-effective in South East England (Student Crowd, 2024). All housing options offer vibrant communal areas, flexible payment plans and a handy central location.
Students must usually meet the academic entry requirements for acceptance onto a postgraduate study programme at the University of Bedfordshire.
Standard entry requirements for postgraduate degrees typically include a good honours degree in an appropriate subject from a recognised university, usually:
Equivalent, relevant qualifications are also accepted. Students are advised to check the entry requirements on the individual course pages on the university's website as there may be some flexibility around requirements for certain subjects.
English language
International students may be required to prove their English language proficiency. The standard English language requirement is an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5. Equivalent qualifications are also accepted.
Some courses may require a higher level of English and prospective students are advised to carefully check the course pages prior to application.
The University of Bedfordshire also offers a range of pre-sessional English language courses to help international students meet the language requirement.
Postgraduate students may be eligible for funding at the University of Bedfordshire. Opportunities include:
Students may also be eligible for external funding, for example the postgraduate master's loan, offered by the UK government to eligible domestic students.
The University of Bedfordshire works hard to keep its tuition fees competitive to ensure that the cost of obtaining a university qualification is not prohibitive.
Tuition fees vary according to the subject and level being studied. For the 2024/25 academic year, the tuition fees for full-time domestic students are as follows:
Tuition fees for international students are higher and vary between courses.
The University of Bedfordshire offers over 120 postgraduate degrees and professional qualifications, designed to advance knowledge, enhance skills and boost career prospects. Students learn from industry-experienced experts and use facilities and equipment that mirror the professional workplace. As a result, students graduate at the forefront of their field.
Many courses offer a variety of initiatives to prepare students for the modern workplace, including professional accreditation, internships and placements, industry-standard facilities, and hands-on experience. Year-round start dates, block delivery and part-time and distance-learning options allow students to tailor their studies to fit around a busy lifestyle.
Assessed through coursework and exams, taught postgraduate programmes have the most contact hours out of all postgraduate degrees, including lectures, seminars and lab work.
Most courses follow a similar pattern of a period assessed study, followed by a more research-focused period as students write their dissertation. The University of Bedfordshire offers the following taught postgraduate courses:
In the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF2021) 60 percent of the University of Bedfordshire's research was judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent. The university offers the following research degrees at postgraduate level:
Research students do not attend lectures or seminars, but they are guided along the way by a dedicated academic supervisor. The university is home to over 300 postgraduate research students.
Distance learning courses offer the flexibility to study around other commitments. Students agree to a timetable with their lecturers in advance of beginning their studies. Although they do not physically attend the university, students receive plenty of support from university staff, and keep in regular touch with lecturers by email and phone.
Teaching
In the Teaching Excellence Framework (2023), the University of Bedfordshire received an overall Silver rating, evidencing the quality of its student outcomes and experiences. Courses feature hands-on experience and industry-informed curricula.
The university is home to four faculties and schools:
The Complete University Guide (2025) ranks the University of Bedfordshire as top in the country for social work courses.
Research
The university boasts ten research institutes:
The 2021 Research Excellence Framework recognises research from the university's Institute of Applied Social Research – as well as the Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment – as world leading.
3.5The University of Bedfordshire is committed to removing obstacles that get in the way of student progress. As such support is always available throughout the duration of students' university experience. Services include:
Student support can be accessed in person through the student information desk or online. If the university is unable to provide the required support, it can signpost students to the relevant external support services.
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