Overview

The University of Gloucestershire is based in the southwest of the UK, spread across three campuses. Two of these are in Cheltenham, and one in Gloucester. The university will be opening a fourth campus in the heart of Gloucester city in 2023/24. Students can access other major cities such as Birmingham (40 minutes), Bristol (40 minutes) and London (two hours) by train. As well as excellent road and rail access to the rest of the UK, Gloucestershire is a perfect base for students to start their studies in the UK.

　　Students join a vibrant and connected community of over 12,000 students from 60 different countries. Students at the University of Gloucestershire can choose from over 100 courses, each providing a high-quality education driven by leading research. Gloucestershire also has over 80 different sports club and societies for students to choose from.

　　Societies include Dumbledore's Army, snow club, film, vegan, comedy, international societies and more. Many students also enjoy the international cafe and make the most of the various trips on offer including excursions to Oxford, London, film nights and international food festivals.

　　The university is proud of its relationship with students, and achieves this through a strong student support network, which includes Helpzones. Available services include a confidential counselling team, support with academic writing and financial advice. Students can also take advantage of the university's Your Future Plan initiative for career planning support.

　　Gloucestershire understand that it is important that students are employable upon leaving university. According to the most recent Graduate Outcomes Survey, 92 percent of Gloucestershire graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of completing their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey June 2021 based on 2018/19 leavers).

　　

What's new

In March 2021, University of Gloucestershire announced it had bought Gloucester's Debenhams building. The aim: to enable its ambitious plans for growth and to work with partners to create a new future for Gloucester city centre.

　　This iconic building will be brought back to life as a vibrant City Campus – a modern centre for teaching, learning and community partnerships.

　　Many of the university's courses are crucial to the health, quality of life and economic success of the region, including nursing and education. The new city campus will provide facilities to train these professionals, providing new opportunities for the people who live here while also attracting new talent to come and study in the region.

　　

International Student Barometer Results

　　The university's work is recognized globally and recently the institution took part in the annual International Student Barometer (ISB) in 2021/22, along with over 100 universities around the world. The ISB has been in place for over ten years and is the only survey that specifically targets international student experience. Highlights include:

　　Ranked 8th Globally for employability support

　　Ranked 8th globally for expert lecturers and 7th for quality of lectures

　　Ranked 7th globally for virtual learning environment

　　Ranked 3rd globally for personal tutors

　　All these factors and more show the quality of the experience for International students and the global outlook that Gloucestershire demonstrates.

　　

Teaching quality

The University of Gloucestershire has an excellent reputation for teaching, and was praised for:

　　The integrated approach to student placements and work experience Opportunities for students to engage with businesses and industries The personal tutoring experience students got from their teachers The specialist resources created by teachers Bespoke learning plans created for individual students according to their needs

　　Gloucestershire also has an excellent reputation for research, meaning students are learning from tutors who are experts in their fields, and engaging with exciting developments in the academic world.

　　The university's international research expertise continues to grow, which has a direct impact on reputation and global reach, and the quality of teaching at Gloucestershire: 47 percent of its research was rated ‘world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the latest REF process. Gloucestershire also doubled the number of subject areas included - from 6 to 13 in compared to the last major UK review in 2014.

　　

Department structure

The university has seven academic schools, which are::

　　

Business​

　　The Business School at Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester, is home to an expanded Growth Hub offering students access to the latest equipment and techniques. . Students also benefit from live projects, industry-linked academics and placement opportunities.

　　

Arts

　　This school opens up an entire world that takes students on a journey, whether this is towards further study or working in a national or international sphere.

　　The Design Centre, at Park Campus in Cheltenham, offers a professional space for advertising, fashion, graphics, interior and product design students to develop their creative talent.

　　

Computing and Engineering

　　The degrees offered here range from the highly technical, to the creative, to the business oriented. Whatever the choice of degree, students will develop excellent broad-base technical and problem-solving skills that will stand them in good stead in any future career.

　　

Creative Industries

　　The School of Creative Industries offers industry-standard, specialist facilities at the Park campus in Cheltenham. The studios and production spaces at the university form an interdisciplinary hub for students to commission, collaborate and create exciting work together. 

　　

Education and Humanities

　　Whether becoming an inspirational educator, shaping the world or critically analysing religions and history, students will be challenged and supported to become a leader in society.

　　

Health and Social Care

　　Here students can help shape the university's culture of care and make a difference to people's lives while they study. Gloucestershire is passionate about supporting students to become the healthcare professionals of the future.

　　

Natural, social and Sport Sciences

　　The university's fully-equipped and dedicated labs provide students with the perfect research centre. The university also has a dedicated forensic interview suite and mock crime scene house, as well as sports therapy clinics and exercise science laboratories.​

　　

Entry requirements

To meet the University of Gloucestershire's English language entry requirements, international students will need to achieve scores in tests including IELTS, however the university also accepts alternative English language tests. In addition, the university offers an English Language Test to applicants who apply to Gloucestershire:

　　

IELTS

　　Most bachelor's degree courses (Level 4, 5 and 6 entry) – 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band. Journalism BA and MA, Sports Therapy BA and MA, Physiotherapy BA and Nursing courses BSc – 7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any component. Postgraduate courses – 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any component Postgraduate Research courses – 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in any other component.

　　

Pre-Sessional English courses

　　The university offers online pre-sessional courses to help students achieve the required English level for undergraduate or postgraduate study. The courses are available as a six-week or ten-week course and take place in the summer prior to starting the academic course.

　　

Scholarships & funding

The University of Gloucestershire rewards academic excellence and operates an extensive scholarship programme for international students. To be eligible for these scholarships, students must be full-time and paying fees at the international tuition fee rate.

　　The university offers a range of automatic grant awards from GBP 2,000 for undergraduate or postgraduate taught courses. These will be awarded after receipt of application and offer. The awards are valid for the first year of study only.

　　The university also recognises academic excellence with 50 per cent postgraduate merit scholarships for select students in the following schools:

　　Business Computing and Engineering Arts Education and Humanities Natural, Social and Sport Sciences Creative Industries students should consult the university website for more information on funding opportunities or contact the institution directly.

　　

Facilities

The university provides a range of on-campus facilities. The best way to experience the university's facilities is via a virtual tour. Students can expect to study in state-of-the-art facilities with 24/7 libraries on every campus, help zones to support students and modern, light accommodation.

　　

Libraries

　　Each campus has its own library, open 24/7 with a dedicated helpdesk team and subject specialists. The university's extensive resources support all students, from first year undergraduates to those studying PhDs. Students have access to an extensive range of e-books, journals and databases that can be accessed anywhere in the world.

　　The university provides over 200 laptops available across the three libraries with loan periods from four hours up to one week. Over 500 open access computers are provided, as well as free Wi-Fi across all campuses. There are also group study areas with coffee facilities, and silent research areas at the libraries.

　　

Accommodation

　　The University of Gloucestershire has approximately 1,800 rooms in its halls of residence in Cheltenham and Gloucester. Many rooms are en-suite and communal kitchens (unless in a studio apartment) are stocked with a fridge, freezer, microwave, cooker, toaster, kettle and cupboards. There are laundry facilities available for students on-site, as well as regular bus services between campuses and residences.

　　The residential support team will provide support to residential students. This team consists of residential support advisers who are full-time staff and Halls Reps who are returning student volunteers recruited by the accommodation department. The halls are also supported by the security, cleaning and maintenance teams.