Bournemouth University institutional logo

Bournemouth University

Poole, United Kingdom • Founded 1992 • QS 2027 #801-850

Updated Sep 2026

Overview

English Name: Bournemouth University
Acronyms: BU
Founded: 1992
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #801-850 Times Higher Education 2026 #401-500 ARWU (Shanghai) 2023 #801-900 CWTS Leiden 2024 #823 SCImago 2026 #930
Bournemouth University institutional logo

Bournemouth University is a public university on England's south coast, based across two sites: Talbot Campus in Poole and Lansdowne Campus near Bournemouth town centre and the beach.

Courses and research are delivered through three faculties: Business and Law, which brings together the university's Business School and the School of Law and Society; Health, Environment and Medical Sciences, spanning schools of health and care, allied health and exercise sciences, and life and environmental sciences; and Media, Science and Technology, home to the Media School, the National Centre for Computer Animation, the School of Computing and Engineering, and the School of Psychology. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research study, holds a TEF Silver rating for teaching quality and student outcomes, and is ranked 41st in the UK by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

Location & Contact

Address book entry for Bournemouth University: location, phone, email, web, and social channels. The press or media office handles institutional inquiries; admissions handles student-specific queries.

Address: Poole House, Fern Barrow
Postal Code: BH12 5BB
Phone: +44 (1202) 524 111
Fax: +44 (1202) 702 736

Academic Details

Bournemouth University's institutional metrics and recognition context. Recognition reciprocity matters for credential portability — check whether your home country accepts Bournemouth University's qualifications.

Academic Year: October to July (October-December; January-March; April-July)
Recognition: Privy Council
Admission Requirements: Level passes supported by 3 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)/General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary ('O') level passes; 3 Advanced ('A') level passes supported by 1 GCSE/GCE. 'O' level; BTEC or SCOTVEC National Certificate or Diploma, or equivalent. For non-native English speakers a minimum IELTS (academic) 6.0 or equivalent
Total Students: 16,860
Female Students: 9,375
Academic Staff Range: 700-799
Full-Time Academic Staff: 595
Academic Staff with Doctorate: 432
Campus Setting: Urban

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

Science and Technology (Faculty) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Studies
  • Geography
  • Heritage Preservation
  • Industrial Design
  • Psychology
  • Sound Engineering (Acoustics)
  • Technology

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Business (School) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Taxation

Common Career Paths

  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager
  • Strategy Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Health and Social Care (School) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Midwifery
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition
  • Rehabilitation and Therapy
  • Social Work
Media (School) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Journalism
  • Marketing
  • Mass Communication
  • Media Studies

Common Career Paths

  • Media Producer
  • Content Strategist
  • Broadcast Journalist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Tourism (School) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Cooking and Catering
  • Hotel and Restaurant
  • Leisure Studies
  • Sports
  • Tourism

Common Career Paths

  • Tour Operator
  • Hospitality Manager
  • Travel Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

Bournemouth University's degree-level programme breakdown, with search. Industry-sponsored programmes often have bonded service or employment commitments — read the terms before accepting any sponsored place.

193 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Honours Degree 143 programmes

Showing 10 of 143.

Master of Business Administration 1 programme

Master of Philosophy 4 programmes

Master's Degree 37 programmes

Showing 10 of 37.

Doctorate 5 programmes

Postgraduate Certificate 3 programmes

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Funding options available to students studying in the United Kingdom — useful to weigh alongside Bournemouth University's costs. Some scholarships apply institution-wide; others target specific subjects or student profiles.

Academic Achievement Scholarship (International)
University funded · International students · 2,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £2,000 reduction off your postgraduate tuition fee for strong academic achievement.
Academic Achievement Scholarship (UK, CI and ROI)
University funded · 2,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £2,000 reduction off your postgraduate tuition fee for strong academic achievement.
Academic Excellence Scholarship (International)
University funded · International students · 4,500 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £4,500 reduction off your postgraduate tuition fee for outstanding academic achievement.
BU Academic Excellence Scholarship (International)
University funded · International students · 2,500 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £2,500 reduction off your first year's tuition fee, awarded automatically if you meet the grade requirement.
BU Care Leavers Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 9,000 GBP per total · Living Stipend · Covers Living
Up to £9,000 over three years of study (up to £12,000 on a Foundation Year) to help with living costs, paid directly to you and never repaid.
BU Estrangement Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 9,000 GBP per total · Living Stipend · Covers Living
Up to £9,000 over three years of study (up to £12,000 on a Foundation Year) to help with living costs, paid directly to you and never repaid.
BU Graduate Loyalty Discount
University funded · International students · Renewable · Fee Waiver
A 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for anyone who already holds a first degree from BU.
BU Maintenance Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 2,400 GBP per total · Living Stipend · Covers Living
Up to £2,400 over your degree (up to £3,200 on a Foundation Year) to help with living costs, paid directly to you and never repaid.
BU Music Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 600 GBP per year
Free music lessons plus benefits in kind such as exam fees and help buying music, worth around £600 a year.
BU Sport Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 5,000 GBP per year · Combined
Up to £5,000 towards your sporting development (coaching, equipment, competition fees, travel) and/or sport science support.
BU Student Family Discount
University funded · International students · Renewable · Fee Waiver
A 10% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for each year of study, for students with an immediate family member currently studying at or who has graduated from BU.
Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to Bournemouth University

Practical steps to apply to Bournemouth University, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at Bournemouth University

    Bournemouth University's catalogue includes 193 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Bournemouth University's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    For undergraduate study, apply centrally through UCAS (ucas.com), listing Bournemouth University as one of your choices. For postgraduate study, apply directly through Bournemouth University's own admissions portal at www.bournemouth.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1202) 524 111. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bournemouth University

Concise answers to the most-searched questions about Bournemouth University, useful as a quick orientation before exploring the rest of the profile.

In what year was Bournemouth University established?

Bournemouth University was founded in 1992 (approximately 34 years ago).

Where can I find Bournemouth University?

The institution is located in Poole, United Kingdom.

What is Bournemouth University's control type?

Bournemouth University is a public institution.

How many students does Bournemouth University have?

The institution has a student body of 16,860.

How is Bournemouth University ranked?

Bournemouth University holds rank QS 2027 #801-850.

What programmes are available at Bournemouth University?

Programmes at Bournemouth University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

Who recognises Bournemouth University?

Bournemouth University is accredited by Privy Council.

What is Bournemouth University's official website?

The institution's website is www.bournemouth.ac.uk.

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