Brunel University London

Summary

History

Brunel is one of the universities established by the 1960s Robbins Report on higher education. Its foundation lies in Acton Technical College established to cater for technicians and craftsmen, and the Brunel College of Technology (named after the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel) established to cater for the education of chartered engineers. 

Having granted university status in 1966, the University continued to use both campuses until 1971. It has since merged with a number of colleges of education. Traditionally the University's strengths were in engineering, science, technology and the social sciences, but it has since branched out into the arts, humanities, geography, health and sports science.

University Environment

Brunel is a campus-based university based in Uxbridge, a large town located approximately 15 miles west of London. In the late 1990s the university sold off its other campuses and used the money to renovate and update the Uxbridge campus. Work carried out included a library extension, a sports complex, renovated students’ union facilities a new Health Sciences teaching centre, and the construction of more halls of residence. Since then the University has expanded to include the Eastern Gateway building which houses the Brunel Business School; The Lecture Centre, located in the centre of campus. comprises of six tiered lecture theatres (150 capacity) which is the University main teaching hub, and many more specialist buildings. The Brunel campus, especially the 1960s Brutalist architecture buildings, has often appeared in films, most famously in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange.

Academics

Colleges

• College of Business, Arts and Social Science
• College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences
• Collge of Health and Life Sciences

Research

The 2014 REF rated 61% of the University's research as world-leading or internationally excellent, with the amount of world-leading research increasing by 54% since the 2008 RAE. Engineering and Design, and Sport Science performed especially well. 

International & Industry Opportunities 

There are opportunities at Brunel to study overseas. They have long-standing exchange agreements with universities in Europe, and the USA. 

Sandwich placements are available on many of the courses to help students develop the practical knowledge and skills required to succeed in the competitive graduate job market. Many courses offer a one-year block of work experience, or in some cases two six-month periods. Placements are usually paid, with opportunities to go overseas, and some students are even offered permanent employment after they graduate. 

Courses which do not offer sandwich placements often include a work experience module, so students can still gain experience of working in the real world before graduation. 

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

Brunel offers a range of scholarships to home and international students. Many of their scholarships and bursaries do not require an application. In the summer, the University will assess your grades and other eligibility criteria and automatically award a scholarship or bursary if found eligible.

30 Undergraduate Academic Excellence scholarships are available to Home, EU and Channel Island/Isle of Man fee paying students beginning full-time undergraduate courses at the University. One of the eligibility criteria is that you must achieve three A-Levels with grades AAA or above, or equivalent. The value of the scholarship is £6,000 cash payment or fee waiver each year for a maximum of three years. The Scholarship will only be paid once for each eligible level of study, subject to normal progression criteria having been met.

The Urban Scholarship is funded by donations and is specifically for full-time Home fee paying applicants who have taken part in the Urban Scholars programme. The value of the scholarship is £3,000 cash each year for a maximum of three years.

The Brunel Sanctuary (Refugee) Scholarship is a full fee waiver available to full time students identified as ‘refugees’. As well as a full tuition fee waiver, successful applicants will receive free single occupancy accommodation in one of Brunel’s Halls of Residence’s in standard halls.

Bursaries

Up to 300 Brunel Bursaries are awarded to full-time Home fee paying students beginning undergraduate courses at the University and aims to support students from a low income household (£25,000 per annum or less). The bursary is a £1,000 cash award a year for a maximum of three years.

The Care Leaver bursary is available to full-time Undergraduate or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students, under the age of 25 and a Care Leaver. The bursary is £1000 cash payment.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

Brunel’s library includes an extensive collection of printed books, journals and audio-visual materials; online databases, eBooks and over 16,000 eJournals; 1,200 study spaces and nearly 500 PCs, in a range of environments including group study rooms and silent study areas; Wi-Fi; and induction sessions, information skills training and one-to-one support to help students find and use resources. All academic departments at Brunel have a named Academic Liaison Librarian (ALL). This service is provided by the Library Academic Services Team, which offers support to students and staff, including the LibSmart programme, which is designed to support students and staff with the academic practice, information literacy, and employability skills needed to get the best out of time at Brunel and beyond.

The Computer Centre and Media Services provide computers across campus, access to Brunel's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and an audiovisual and media equipment loan service.

The Language Centre offers a range of modern foreign language courses at a variety of levels taught by qualified, native speakers.

The Arts Centre organises classes, courses, exhibitions, concerts and productions throughout the year, and provides the space, tuition and specialist equipment. Tuition includes professionally taught classes and workshops in a wide variety of arts, including pottery, painting, drawing, creative writing, music and drama.

The Academic Skills Service (ASK) specialises in teaching students the skills they need to learn independently, with advice on research, planning and writing assignments, giving presentations, time management, and numeracy and statistics.

Sporting Facilities

The university has a wide range of facilities for students of all sporting abilities, including a state-of-the-art Indoor Athletics Centre (IAC) with a 132m, 6-lane sprints and hurdles straight, full provision for jumps and throws and a large strength and conditioning area; an on-campus gym, the More Energy, which hosts four training zones, a cardio area complete with TV, internet and iPod connectivity, a resistance zone, a free weights section and an exercise studio; two large sports halls, with a climbing wall, squash courts and fitness classes; and a therapy treatment room providing complementary therapies, osteopath and a sports injury clinic.

Brunel’s outdoor facilities in Sport Park, include a floodlit 400-metre athletics track with tennis and netball courts, pitches for football, rugby and hockey and an FA-registered 3G pitch.

There are a number of sports scholarships available to help elite athletes by supporting their academic study and sporting commitments simultaneously. They include a financial award and assistance with competition expenses, mentoring support on balancing study with training, and free use of sports facilities. 

Students' Union

Students’ Union

TThe Students’ Union (SU) runs three venues on the Brunel campus; the Academy nightclub, Loco’s Bar and Pronto restaurant, with the nightclub holding gigs and DJ sets, comedy, karaoke and pub quizzes.

The SU Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) provides free advice and guidance to all Brunel students, on everything from money, student funding, budgeting skills and tips, and debt- to housing and academic issues.

There is a range of activities for you to choose from at Brunel, meaning that there should definitely be something that takes your fancy, and if you think something is missing, then the SU can help you to set it up. If you are a sports person, there are over 50 clubs for you to join, ranging from athletics to futsal, to weightlifting. If sport isn’t for you, or if you want to add something new to your routine, you can join one of their societies, perhaps an academic one to meet people on your course, or take up a new hobby with one of the general interest societies such as baking or Game of Thrones.

Student Support

Religious & Spirituality

The Meeting House is a pastoral, spiritual and community building resource providing a dedicated space for students to chill out. Their team offers help and advice and spiritual support with chaplains from Christian, Muslim, Hindu and other faith traditions, available throughout the week.

Health & Wellbeing 

Brunel has an NHS Medical Centre on campus with a walk-in surgery available to all students and members of the public.

The University Counselling and Mental Wellbeing service provides students with advice and support on both new and long term mental health difficulties to ensure they get the most out of their student life. It can also offer short term 1-2-1 counselling which can help the students  work on their immediate problems, developing healthy coping techniques, gaining understanding of underlying issues and, if necessary, developing a longer-term treatment plan.

Brunel’s Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) works to support and advise all disabled students, including students with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties, mental health conditions, mobility and sensory impairment, and other disabilities such as diabetes and epilepsy. Their support and resources include an Assistive Technology Centre providing up-to-date specialist technology, training and support; screenings and diagnostic assessments for specific learning difficulties; one-to-one tuition for students with specific learning difficulties; a loan bank of equipment such as digital recorders, assistive listening devices and laptops; provision of note takers, communicator and other support workers; student mentoring programmes; exam adjustments and extended library loans; and adjustment to accommodation services, including fully automated access for wheelchair users, rooms with adapted en-suites and kitchen facilities, and accommodation for students attending with carers. 

Career Facilities

The Professional Development Centre (PDC) has a dedicated team of Careers Consultants, who will work with you throughout your time in Brunel and three years after you graduate. They provide information and advice for students including an extensive careers library and interactive online service, a major autumn careers fair, regular workshops, employer presentations and subject specific ‘Careers Uncovered’ events. Local, national and international recruiters target Brunel, and there are typically over 1,000 employers advertising through the university at any time. Their iPhone app also keeps students up-to-date with the latest graduate opportunities.

Brunel’s Job Shop helps hundreds of students to find part-time and vacation work. There are plenty of vacancies on campus, in the local area, and further afield.

Brunel Volunteers co-ordinates volunteering opportunities for students who want to improve their skills and employability.

Accommodation

Brunel's halls of residence are all on campus, meaning you are only minutes away from the teaching, sporting and social facilities.

There are 33 halls of residence to choose from. They provide self-catering accommodation for approximately 4541 students, which include 118 studio flats for co-habiting couples. Everyone has different priorities, so the University offers a choice of en suite, standard and studio residences.

International

English Language Requirements

In general, the university asks for an English level of between IELTS 6.0 - 7.0 or equivalent. However, some courses will have higher requirements and this will be stated on individual subject pages.

Scholarships

Brunel has a range of scholarship packages for international students. The Brunel International Scholarships are for self-funded full time undergraduate or postgraduate taught programme students, and are based on academic achievement. The scholarships include: 55 awards of £6,000 tuition fee waiver International Excellence Scholarship; and five £3,000 cash awards Santander International Scholarship. Both scholarships are for the first year of study only.

Information on the full range of scholarships for international students, is available on the University website.

International Facilities

Within Brunel there are over 2,500 international students from over 110 different countries. There are a number of resources available specifically for international students including pre-departure and arrival information, a ‘Meet and Greet’ service from London Heathrow airport, a tailor-made international student orientation programme.

Media