Bournemouth University

At Bournemouth University (BU), our courses are crafted alongside leading industry experts, passionate about their subjects and your learning. Our approach of integrating our globally recognised research and industry practice means our degrees are designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to pursue your passion. A number of our courses are accredited by professional bodies and our Business School achieved AACSB International accreditation - recognising our commitment to excellence.

We are renowned for our research and teaching excellence in a range of subjects, including, forensic archaeology, business, health and as a Centre for Excellence in Media Practice. As a result, we have been ranked as one of the top 50 young universities in the world in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings.

Our motto is ‘To learn is to be changed.’ When you join BU, you become a part of a learning community that strives to make an impact on the world around us - aiming for a more sustainable, inclusive and healthy society.

We recognise your potential and will support you. You will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through placements, volunteering, and collaborative projects. And with over 100 clubs and societies – and the opportunity to be part of our global BU community studying by the sea – that’s the difference of a degree from Bournemouth University.

Taught qualification or independent research? Discover your degree of difference at BU.

Request a prospectus

There are plenty of great reasons to choose us. Whatever your background and interest, you’re sure to find the course that suits you at BU. Request a prospectus to find out more.

Funding support

We recognise that studying for a postgraduate qualification involves investing in your future, that’s why our website contains up-to-date information about the funding support available, such as BU scholarships offering an automatic tuition fee reduction of up to £3,500*.

Employability

It’s a highly competitive global job market out there. It really pays to be prepared. Everything we do – from the development of our degrees to the support we offer through our CareersBU – designed to make you globally employable.

91.1% of graduates are employed/in further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Statistics, 2020/2021).

Research at BU

Bournemouth University has been recognised for the quality and volume of its research in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

94% of BU’s research was found to be internationally-recognised or above, with 95.7% of the research delivering considerable impact or above. 19% of the university’s research was found to be world-leading in quality with 31.5% achieving an outstanding impact score.

We also award various postgraduate research qualifications, supported by our Doctoral College.

Our location

Famous for its miles of sandy beach, Bournemouth is a beautiful place to live, work and study. On the south coast of England, it offers a cosmopolitan town centre with fabulous shopping, nightlife and a thriving music and arts scene. It’s easy to find your way around and less than two hours from London by train, and the ever-expanding Bournemouth Airport provides an excellent gateway to Europe.

Your time in Bournemouth doesn't need to be spent in the same place. A short journey can take you to some of the incredible surrounding areas of Dorset such as the Jurassic Coast or the New Forest.

Discover more about Bournemouth and the local area.

Student life

There’s more to offer at BU than just a beach. We value excellence, achievement, authenticity, creativity and responsibility, but we also believe in having fun and making new friends. A further benefit of being a part of our postgraduate community is its sheer diversity – our staff and students come from over 100 countries and our outlook is truly global. Our student support services offer everything you need to make the most out of your time with us.

We can tell you about the BU buzz but there’s nothing like hearing what our students think on our student blog or by chatting to them via Unibuddy.

Our campuses

We’re proud to be ethically and environmentally responsible, which is embedded into our courses and our buildings. In recognition of our commitment to minimising our environmental impact, we have been awarded an Eco Campus Platinum award – one of only 15 universities.

We deliver a great student experience and have invested heavily in ensuring our learning and social spaces are modern and attractive. We are continually improving and there is much more to come in terms of new facilities.

As well as offering modern lecture theatres, seminar rooms, dedicated laboratories and 24-hour open access computing centres, our specialised academic facilities include: purpose-built studios for computer animation and digital special effects, recording studios, editing suites and a HD Sony television studio, Rapid Prototyping Suite, Virtual Manufacture Centre and a crime scene training facility.

There’s also a wide range of accommodation to choose from - and it's guaranteed* as long as you apply by the relevant deadlines - and modern sports facilities.

The best way to experience BU and the local area is by joining an Open Day.

Take a virtual tour

If you’re unable to join us in person, you can still explore BU and the local area from wherever you are in the world by taking our virtual tour.

* Terms and conditions apply