University of Bradford

The University of Bradford started life as the Mechanics Institute in 1832. Nearly 200 years on, it is now a world-class institution with over 50 years of cutting-edge research, high-quality teaching and a well-designed curriculum with practical relevance.

The university balances being an affordable institution with high ambition. Students can enjoy a great value education of an excellent standard while enjoying lower living costs than many other parts of the UK. The city offers a warm welcome to international students, with over 120 nationalities represented.

The GBP 120 million campus has a close-knit community atmosphere that students won't find anywhere else. Courses span a wide range of disciplines, but they've got one thing in common: they all combine practical experience with theoretical knowledge. From engineering and health sciences to management, social sciences and life sciences, programmes don't just hand students a map to their future – they help them to draw it.

Award-winning on-campus accommodation The Green is a short walk from the city centre. From fantastic food and first-class retail, the cutting edge of culture and entertainment, the city of Bradford itself has everything students need.

The city's curry culture is famous around the world. It also has beautiful countryside on its doorstep, including the rugged Pennine hills and quintessentially English Yorkshire Dales. Bradford is well connected to other parts of the UK, and it's one of the cheapest cities to live in the UK.

Students are the heart of Team Bradford, the fun and supportive community which transforms the university experience into something more than just working towards a degree.

Affordable, inclusive, and ambitious: Bradford is the perfect place for students to take their next step. Bradford gives students the tools, so that they can make a difference.

Teaching at the University of Bradford is informed by research. Research that's conducted for the good of society through advanced healthcare, innovative engineering, and sustainable societies.

The university has always been a pioneer of education. In 1969, it founded the world's first university centre for the study of peace. It's still one of the largest of its kind in the world.

Students are taught by experts in their field, alongside industry professionals with vital real-world experience. The university's world-class facilities will take students' learning to the next level, whether it's the Bloomberg Trading Room to help Business students try their hand at financial decision-making, or state-of-the-art labs and a motion capture studio.

Staff are all at the forefront of important work. Their achievements include developing an innovative new blood test for cancer and being awarded two Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher Education for work in helping people with dementia and research in archaeology.

Whether it's cracking the next big challenge in healthcare, designing tech that changes lives, or rethinking how we do business sustainably, the university gives students the tools, the space, and the support to get started.

This is an education that takes students to undiscovered places. To the forefront of change. To the edge of their comfort zone.

Accreditation and rankings

Many courses have accreditation or professional approval. The business school has Triple Crown accreditation by EQUIS, AMBA & AACSB.

In the Complete University Guide's 2026 subject tables, Bradford is in the top ten UK universities for:

• Optometry & Ophthalmics
• Paramedic science

In the Guardian University Guide's 2026 subject tables, Bradford is the top ten UK universities for:

• Chemical Engineering
• Paramedic Science

In the Guardian University Guide's 2026 subject tables, Bradford is the top twenty UK universities for:

• Midwifery
• Physiotherapy
• Mental Health Nursing
• Pharmacy

Ranked 511th in the world and 47th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2026, an improvement of 20 places from 531st in 2025.

The University of Bradford was first established in 1832 as the Mechanics Institute. It received a Royal Charter in 1966 and become the UK's 40th university.

It's comprised of two academic faculties which are located on one city-based campus. Each cover a large variety of disciplines:

• Faculty of Management, Sciences and Engineering – home to the School of Computing and Engineering, School of Law and Social Sciences and the School of Management.
• Faculty of Health and Social Care – home to the School of Allied Health Professions, School of Midwifery and Social Work, School of Nursing, Public Health and Healthcare Leadership and the School of Pharmacy, Optometry and Medical Sciences.
• Research – Institute of Digital and Sustainable Futures and Institute of Health and Social Care.

Each academic programme belongs to one of the two faculties, and may incorporate tutorials, seminars, lectures, lab work and practical work. The academic year begins in September and ends in May, with some courses starting in January.

Academic requirements

Students will need to meet the subject-specific academic requirements to study at the University of Bradford.

International Foundation Year

For those who cannot meet the requirements for a degree course, the University of Bradford International College (UBIC) is based on the university campus. It provides programmes that help students improve their academic skills, so they are prepared for degree-level study.

English language requirements

International students will also need to meet the English language requirements of the university. IELTS is the university's preferred English language test, but the university has its own entry test, the BASALT. The following tests are accepted:

• IELTS – students will need a score of at least 6.0 with no lower than 5.0 in each band, or 5.5 in each band if a student visa is required.
• TOEFL – students will need a score of at least 80, with no lower than 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking if a student visa is required.
• Pearson PTE Academic – students will need a score of at least 62, with no lower than 59 in each of the four sub-tests.
• LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 – students will need to achieve a minimum of 148 overall with a minimum of 33 in each subskill
• PSI Skills for English: SELT – students will need to achieve at least a Pass with Merit overall and in each sub-test in the B2 level test
• Or an accepted equivalent

Some courses may ask for higher language proficiency requirements. Students are encouraged to check individual course information.

Pre-sessional English Language courses

Those who cannot meet the required English language proficiency requirements to qualify for their chosen degree course can choose to study a pre-sessional English language course. This will help them to build their language and academic skills and get them ready to study at university level.

The University of Bradford offers a welcoming and vibrant environment where international students will find a home-away-from-home. As well as the many modern, industry-standard learning facilities to assist with studies, there is plenty to support students outside of the classroom.

Students' union

To help students get the most out of the student experience, the University of Bradford Students' Union (UBU) has plenty of support resources, activities and events on offer year-round. All students are automatically members of UBU. It's led by elected student representatives, and international students can find confidential assistance for anything to do with their studies, finances, welfare, immigration and more.

UBU is also host to more than 100 different student-run sports clubs and societies. From K-pop dancing to politics, there is something for all students to enjoy outside of their studies. If they can't find exactly what they're looking for, students can also start their own club or society.

Accommodation

The Green, the GBP 40 million award-winning student halls of residence, is recommended for international students who are looking for accommodation. Located on campus but close to the city centre, the Green is a friendly and safe place to live. With townhouses and apartments available, it's got over 1,000 rooms as well as high-quality, fully equipped communal areas. It's also one of the most sustainable developments of its kind in the world.

There are also off-campus accommodation options available. Bradford is a cheap place to live compared to other university cities across the UK.

To help students from all backgrounds who need extra financial support, the University of Bradford puts more than GBP 4 million each year into scholarships. A number of these are dedicated to self-funding international students, while others may be open to all students (domestic and international). Scholarships are based on academic excellence, personal circumstances or financial hardship. The criteria can vary for each.

As such, students are encouraged to search for what is available and check the eligibility requirements to see which they may be entitled to receive. Some scholarships are subject-specific and may require an application.

International students typically have to show proof of funding as part of their application to study, but there are still plenty of resources available on campus to help students who do struggle to pay their tuition fees or living costs, including financial support and help finding suitable part-time work to fit around studies.

The Bradford Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem

Through generous donations from alumnus Dr Murthy Renduchintala, plus a further GBP 1.25m from the university, Bradford were able to launch the Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem.

BREE nurtures budding entrepreneurs to develop and grow successful businesses, playing a pivotal role in unlocking the potential and growth of the university's diverse and entrepreneurial home city.

The Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem can support students as they turn their business ideas into a reality.