University of Bedfordshire

Summary

University Environment

Bedfordshire university has five campuses. The two main campuses are situated in Luton town centre and Bedford. Other campuses are located in Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Putteridge Bury. The University’s campuses at Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Bedford and Luton are roughly a 40 minute to 1 hour drive from each other. Bedford is an idyllic, riverside town with a lively mix of traditional town pubs, bars and restaurants, modern nightclubs, shops and heritage, in addition to first-class sports facilities.

Bedford Campus

The Bedford campus is located to the North-East of the town, a 30-minute walk from the town centre. The campus has recently had a major investment into its facilities. This has resulted in a brand-new teaching and learning building called the Gateway, new en-suite accommodation, a Physical Education and Sports Science Centre, used to train athletes in the 2012 Olympics, and a brand new Campus Centre, with a 280-seat professional theatre, dance studios, a café and a large social space. The Bedford Campus predominantly houses students from the Faculty of Education and Sport and the Business School.

Luton Campus

The main Luton campus is located in the very centre of the town, within easy walking distance of major transport hubs. There has been a major investment in facilities including en-suite on-campus accommodation, a new Campus Centre and a brand-new seven-storey library. The Luton Campus houses students from all faculties except the Faculty of Education and Sport. Luton town centre has everything from cinemas to carnivals and clubs.

Milton Keynes Campus

The Campus at Milton Keynes is also in the very centre of the town and offers an expanding range of courses including those in Business, Education and Health. Milton Keynes is a modern, bustling ‘new city,’ fusing urban appeal and old country charm. It offers art exhibitions, musicals, canalside promenades, skiing, wall-climbing and outdoor events.

Aylesbury Campus

Aylesbury town is bursting with culture, international cuisine and clubs. Aylesbury campus is equipped for the nursing and midwifery students. Based at Aylesbury College, students learn in a modern and vibrant environment suited for today’s vocational approaches to teaching.

Putteridge Bury Campus

Putteridge Bury is a magnificent country mansion built in 1911 and set in 30 acres of landscaped gardens. It is home to the University of Bedfordshire Business School's postgraduate programmes and the University’s Conference Centre. With its own comprehensive Learning Resources Centre students have access to online information databases and more than 2,000 electronic journals, as well as access to the library facilities at the main Luton campus. The University runs a free shuttle bus for staff and students from the Luton campus to Putteridge Bury.

History

The University of Bedfordshire has its roots in a number of institutions. The Luton branch of the University was founded as the Luton College of Higher education, which itself was made up of two colleges, the oldest of which dates back to 1908. In 1993, the college became the University of Luton, prior to becoming part of the University of Bedfordshire. The Bedford branch of the University was founded as the Bedford Training College for Teachers and the Bedford Physical Training College,;latterly, this became De Montfort University's Bedford campus. The University of Bedfordshire was established in August 2006, following the merger between the University of Luton and De Montfort University's Bedford campus. In 2008 the University opened its facilities in Butterfield Park and a year later, it opened a new campus in Buckinghamshire. The University’s latest expansion took place in Milton Keynes, where it opened an entirely new campus in 2013.

Academics

Faculties & Schools

University of Bedfordshire Business School

• Strategy & Management
• Internation Business, Marketing & Tourism
• Law & Finance

Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science

• School of Computer Science & Technology
• School of Life Sciences
• School of Art & Design
• School of Cultural & Communications
• School of Media & Performance
• School of Psychology

Faculty of Education & Sport

• School of Education & English Language
• School of Teacher Education
• School of Sport Science and Physical Activity

Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

• School of Applied Social Studies
• School of Healthcare Practice
• School of Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Research

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment, nearly half of Bedfordshire University’s research was considered world leading or internationally excellent. The number of staff judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent in research outputs, quadrupled from 2008. In 2013, the University was also awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, for their pioneering research in the area of social work and social care.

International & Industrial Opportunities

In 2013 Bedfordshire University launched Go Global, the largest cultural exchange programme with China offered by any UK university. This gives students the opportunity to participate in two or three week language and cultural programmes in China. Bedfordshire University is investing further in 1,000s of student placements within Chinese companies. They’ve also extended their Go Global offering since its 2013 launch, to include placements in Vietnam, India, New York City, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and Mauritius.

Some courses at the University of Bedford also offer work placements. The University has connections with thousands of companies, both national and international. They have helped lots of students to secure international placements, including positions with Bugatti Automobiles in Germany, La Santa in Lanzarote and TUI Travel Plc in Spain.

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

The Academic Scholarship is available to UK/EU students who achieve academic excellence in their studies prior to entering the University. This scholarship is worth £1500 paid as £500 per year if the requested grades or their equivalents are achieved. There is no application process. The scholarship will be awarded automatically to those meeting the eligibility criteria. 

Bedfordshire University offers a range of sport scholarships in performance, coaching and officiating. They range from Platinum Scholarships, aimed at students at the highest level of their sport, to Talented Scholarships, aimed at providing a financial aid to those students who can demonstrate the potential to achieve high performance. They also offer a bursary package to coaches looking to progress with their badges.

Bursaries

All new first year full time UK/EU undergraduate students domiciled in the UK paying maximum tuition fees for a BA/BSc course, will receive a welcome package worth £450 in total over three years. This is divided into £300 credit to spend at the bookshop in first year and £50 print credit each year.

The Care Leavers Bursary is available to all students under 25, resident in the UK, who are currently open to and supported by a local authority, leaving care service and fulfil the criteria stated in the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000; who are studying full time on a BA/BSc/BEd degree programme and paying maximum tuition fees.

All full-time, new UK students (or those EU students that are UK domiciled) undertaking a degree with Foundation Year in 2018 will be eligible to receive a Foundation Year Bursary, worth £500. 

Facilities

Learning Facilities

All campuses have their own library and are open 24/7, when you need it, to support your learning and academic life whilst at the University.  

The University’s extensive digital library is available from any PC with internet access. It includes: 30,000 e-journal titles, 4,000 e-books, 80+ databases, University e-dissertations, and past exam papers. The University’s online DISCOVER tool allows students to search the library’s physical and online catalogue and reserve items from another campus. Across the University there are a number of PCs and interactive learning spaces. The libraries also have print books and journals on relevant subjects, printing facilities, Wi-Fi, Study Hub, silent study space and small group study space.

The University’s Study Hub brings together three teams of specialists: Academic Liaison Librarians, Computer Skills Trainers, and Professional and Academic Development (PAD) Tutors. They offer students help and support on a range of issues, through workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments. Their services are completely free and open to all students.

Other facilities at the University include the Computing and Media departments, pioneering Business pods, a newly refurbished Law moot court, hospital simulation labs, a primary school block, BBC standard TV studios, and a Specialist Art and Design building. There are also state-of-the-art specialised laboratories for sport and exercise science, biomedical science, forensics, electronics and telecommunications. Bedfordshire University also has specialised language facilities to assist language students.

The Student Information Desk (SiD), which is part of the University’s learning resources, is the gateway to student services in one, convenient location. SiD desks are located across all of the campuses where you can speak to someone face-to-face.

To complement face-to-face teaching, students also have access to a fully interactive, web-based virtual learning platform, Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online (BREO). Available online through computers, mobile phones or tablets, BREO ensures access to lecturer notes, assignment details and tutor feedback.

Sporting Facilities

The Bedford campus is home to two multi-sport sports halls (Alexander sports centre and Arena), an on-campus Aspire gym and extensive playing fields including the Astro pitch which is fully floodlit. Local facilities include Bedford International Athletics Track and the Riverside Tennis Club, which offers play all-year round on six hard courts, three carpet courts, all of which are floodlit and three of which convert into indoor courts during the winter, courtesy of an Air Hall facility. The Clubhouse is complete with a bar, changing facilities and games area.

There are no University-owned sports facilities on the Luton Campus, however students have access to local facilities at a discounted rate. These include a 50m swimming pool and diving facility, a gym and fitness classes. Likewise in Milton Keynes, students can access local facilities which include the Xscape Centre, offering indoor skiing, Airkix, an indoor skydiving experience, and Willen Lake, offering a number of water sports activities.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

Through Bedfordshire’s Students' Union students can get involved in a range of events and activities, and sign up to clubs and societies. They have a huge range of faith, academic, cultural and recreational societies, as well as over 40 sports teams competing in BUCS leagues. The Students' Union's magazine LOUD is written exclusively by students. 

On the Luton campus, by day the Metro Bar and Kitchen proudly serves Starbucks Coffee along with a range of other beverages, sandwiches, paninis and snacks. It’s a great space for socialising with friends, catching up on some coursework or taking a well-deserved lunch break. By night the venue becomes the place to be with events such as karaoke, pub quizzes and various themed club nights.

In Bedford the Hub offers socialising space for students. The Union also works closely with local hot spots to provide special student nights, while Beds SU’s Advice Centre provides confidential advice to students on a range of topics.

The University of Bedfordshire Volunteering Team (UBV) can also help students to find volunteer work related to your studies. The University’s Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) and the Bedfordshire Edge Award record information about volunteering, placements, and other extra-curricular activities that you undertake outside the classroom so that it can be used on your CV in future. Bedfordshire University SU also organises a number of ‘Raise and Give’ activities, raising money for charity in fun and exciting ways.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

The University’s Community and Faith teams based in the Tree House at Luton, in SeedBeds at Bedford  campus, welcome students of all faiths and beliefs. They offer confidential personal support and a range of social activities and events. They can give students information and link them with local faith communities and places of worship. Prayer and Quiet Rooms are available at Luton and Bedford campus.

The Community and Faith team at the Milton Keyes campus is part of Student Support at the University; it offers pastoral care and personal and religious support to all students and staff.

Student Support is currently developing a Community and Faith team to relate to students and staff studying based at the Aylesbury campus.

Health & Wellbeing

Student Information Desks (SiD) are the gateway to all student services and are located across all campuses.

The University offers personal support to students experiencing mental health difficulties at any point during their studies. They also provide support for students returning to study after a period of illness and provide professional counselling for students experiencing problems of a personal or emotional nature that may be interfering with their academic work and life.

The University’s Disability Team support students with disabilities, long-term medical conditions or Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia. They offer individual support on issues such as applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances, accessibility on campus, finding non-medical supporters (e.g. Specialist Study Skills Tutors or Specialist Mentors), getting assistive technology, screening for specific learning difficulties and examination access arrangements.

Career Facilities

The University Careers and Employability Service ensures you get a head start in your career by providing you with a vast array of activities to develop your skills and experiences such as: full or part-time paid work; employer events; CV support; careers guidance; mock interviews; and internships. 

Students can register to study for employability units and gain some key skills that they will need in their chosen profession and earn extra credits in the process. Employability units include networking skills, freelancing skills and public speaking.

The University has links with numerous organisations around the world providing you with unique opportunities to gain valuable experience and enabling you to create your own global network of industry contacts.

The Bedfordshire professional practice year is designed for students to develop skills, enhance their CV and gain real-world experience through workplace opportunities in local and national businesses.

In 2013 the University won the AGCAS Award for Excellence in Student and Graduate Recruitment, acknowledging their commitment to providing specialist employability advisers; access to a wealth of careers information and resources online; help with securing internships, part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities; employment-related events, competitions and career fairs; and coaching on CV writing and interview skills.

Accommodation

The Luton Village is located within walking distance of the University campus. In the Village there is the Fitzroy and Wenlock Courts, which together provide 852 en-suite ultra-modern study bedrooms. These fully-furnished flats include a bed, desk, wardrobe, en-suite shower pod, and free Wi-Fi. Each flat has a spacious kitchen lounge area to relax with your flatmates and recreation areas, study rooms, a fully equipped gym and laundry facilities. Further  halls of residence are a short walk from the campus centre and have shared bathroom and kitchen facilities, all of which have individual and comfortable study bedrooms. Cost of a room varies between £102 and £154 a week or students can apply for a studio flat at a cost of £199 a week.

On the Bedford campus, students have the option of living in the purpose-built Student Village or at Liberty Park, both of which are located on campus, within easy reach of the town centre and station. Student Village has 168 bedrooms ranging from en-suites to standard rooms and study rooms with shared bathroom facilities. The shared kitchens have a communal lounge area or separate study/social lounge. Liberty Park offers 430 en-suite study bedrooms grouped in flats with fantastic communal areas, including a gym and on-site laundry facilities. A room at Bedfod Villiage costs between £97 and £108 per week and includes all utility bills and personal contents insurance.

If you’re studying at the new Milton Keynes campus (UCMK), the University recommends you stay at the Bedford campus accommodation for the best student experience with Bedford being 45 minutes away by bus and the University offers a free shuttle bus service between the campuses during term time. Letting agents in Milton Keynes also offer private-rented accommodation options.

If you are studying nursing, midwifery or paramedic at the Aylesbury campus, there's accommodation provided by the local NHS trust in either High Wycombe, Aylesbury or Wexham Park.. 

International

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language Bedfordshire asks for:

International Support

Bedfordshire currently hosts students from more than 100 different countries, and their International Office is dedicated to supporting students from application through to enrolment.

‘Communication Skills’ classes are compulsory for all international students and classes are timetabled during the first year of study. This class focuses on giving international students the skills to prepare assignments, boost grades, and gain employability through academic skills, learning about British culture, and learning to communicate effectively. 

The University hosts a lively social programme for international students with weekend trips every month to famous cities like London, Brighton, Oxford and Cambridge, and on arrival the Support Team organises a full orientation and induction programme to support you through your first weeks. 

The University also has a special Language Centre to help international students with IELTs classes every week to practise speaking with teachers and other students.

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