Study at University of Bedfordshire

Why study at University of Bedfordshire

It is known for nursing, midwifery and health education, teacher education, sport science, business and media production, and hosts the National Centre for Cyberstalking Research. Verified recognitions include the Queen's Award for Enterprise (International Trade, 2011) and Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2017); its research across several subject areas was submitted to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Location and student life

The two main campuses are in Luton town centre and at Polhill in Bedford, with a dedicated healthcare campus (Mary Seacole) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, a campus in Milton Keynes and the Putteridge Bury site near Luton. Luton is about 30 minutes by train from London St Pancras and close to Luton Airport; Bedford is a riverside town under an hour from London by train.

Both main campuses have on-site halls, libraries, a campus centre with Students' Union services, sports facilities and the student community station Radio LaB, and the towns offer shops, restaurants and green space at lower living costs than London.

Courses and subjects

Teaching is organised into the University of Bedfordshire Business School and schools of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries; Education and English; Life Sciences; Nursing, Midwifery and Health Education; Sport, Psychology and Social Science; and Society, Community and Health. Established strengths include nursing and midwifery, teacher training, sport and exercise science, business and media, supported by facilities such as the STEM building, healthcare simulation suites and a moot court.

International applicants who do not yet meet degree entry can take the International Foundation Year, and the Centre for English as a Foreign Language runs pre-sessional English courses.

Entry requirements for international students

Undergraduate applicants normally need 12 years of schooling with qualifications equivalent to at least two UK A levels, while postgraduate taught courses normally ask for a UK 2:2 honours degree or equivalent (often around 50% or above) in a relevant subject. For English, the university accepts UKVI Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each element for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, though some courses set higher thresholds; the International Foundation Year asks for IELTS 4.5 in all skills, and pre-sessional English is available. Requirements vary by course and country, so check the exact course page and country guidance before applying.

Accommodation

The university guarantees accommodation to all new students in on-campus halls. In Luton the main halls are Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court beside teaching buildings and close to the town centre, while Bedford offers halls including Polhill Park and the 500-room Liberty Park with en-suite study bedrooms. Halls suit first-year and foundation-year students settling in; both towns typically cost less than London for private rentals. See the university's accommodation pages for options, prices and how to apply.

Scholarships and funding

For 2026/27 the university lists International Undergraduate subject-specific scholarships worth up to £5,000 off tuition fees for each year, an A level and IB scholarship of £5,000 per year, country High Achievers awards of £3,000 per year, and Postgraduate Global subject-specific merit awards of up to £4,000, plus a £1,000 prompt-payment discount and Chevening and Commonwealth partnerships. Scholarship holders cannot usually combine awards. Awards change each year, so confirm current values and eligible courses on the university's scholarships page.