Brunel University London

Overview

Named after the famous 19th-century British engineer, Brunel University London was founded in 1966 and has since grown rapidly so that it now welcomes more than 12,000 students. Its vision is to combine academic study with a practical and entrepreneurial approach, helping it to become a leading technology university.

It’s based on one site and is in fact the only London university with a single campus that includes accommodation. Situated in the suburban town of Uxbridge in west London, the leafy campus has everything a student needs within a 10-minute walk. The Union of Brunel Students sits at the heart of campus and houses Loco’s bar and the Venue nightclub. You’ll also find sports facilities, eating spots and green spaces to enjoy and over 150 sports clubs and societies to join.

Uxbridge itself is a 20-minute walk from the uni and there you’ll find various restaurants, bars, clubs and shopping opportunities. You’ll also have London on your doorstep, with its world-famous nightlife, culture and arts scenes just a tube journey away.

At Brunel, there’s a cosmopolitan feel with over 140 nationalities represented within the study body. You’ll feel safe and supported within the friendly environment, helped by the fact that counselling for emotional and personal support is free for all students at the Advice and Representation Centre (ARC).

As a well-located uni, you’ll have easy access to the M25, M4 and M40 motorways, as well as London’s train stations and Heathrow Airport, which is just a 20-minute drive away.

At Brunel, you’ll be taught by academics who are experts in their field. There are over 120 undergraduate courses to choose from, most of which are studied full-time. Certain degrees can be done on a part-time basis, like English BA, English and Creative Writing BA, Music BA, and Film Production BA. Part-time courses are studied over a period of up to six years.

Typically, full-time undergraduate degrees at Brunel take three years to study, but several courses can include placement years, study abroad options or an integrated master’s year. These courses usually take four or five years to complete. Medicine usually takes five years to study.

Most degrees include optional modules, as well as core modules, meaning you can study the degree topics you’re most interested in. 

It's also possible to combine more than one subject within an undergraduate degree in what’s called a combined honours degree. For example, you could study a history and international relations degree. 

Brunel accepts various qualifications, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Some courses will require you to have studied specific subjects before uni, e.g., to get onto the aerospace engineering degree, you’ll be asked for an A in A-level maths and a B in another subject like physics, chemistry or biology.

Most courses will ask for three A-levels (or equivalent qualification), often not including general studies. Some courses may require extra entry requirements, like going to an interview. You’ll find each course’s specific entry requirements online on the uni’s course search pages, but we’ve given you an idea of what you’ll need to study certain subjects below as well.

For instance, to get onto an accounting, finance or business degree, you’ll probably need A-levels ranging from ABB–BBC (or equivalent qualification), and to study a degree in art & design, you’ll be asked for A-levels of ABB–BBB (or equivalent qualification). For health & medicine degrees, you’ll also probably need A-levels ranging from ABB–BBC (or equivalent qualification).

It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying.

All of Brunel’s uni accommodation is based on campus, meaning you’re within 10-minutes of all teaching, social and sports facilities. Uni accommodation is guaranteed for all new first-year undergraduates, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and apply for halls before the deadline. 

There are loads of halls to choose from, depending on your budget and preferences. You’ll find ensuite rooms as well as shared bathroom options, studio flats, double or single rooms, couples accommodation and specially-adapted rooms.

All halls are self-catered, so you’ll be in charge of all of your meals, and residences come with well-equipped kitchens. Most options have 24/7 security services, as well as bicycle storage. 

Rent prices range from around £125 to £185 per week and your rates include utility bills, internet access and basic contents insurance. Student mentors and senior mentors are employed to provide support to new residents.

If uni halls aren’t for you, you’ll be able to find private rented options through Brunel Student Lettings. 

As a student at Brunel, you’ll be able to use the Professional Development Centre – a resource that is dedicated to providing students with the opportunities and support to enhance their future careers. These services will be open to you during your studies and for three years after you’ve graduated.  

Careers consultants can give you help in choosing a career path, developing a great CV, writing job applications, practising interview technique and more. As well as this, the Professional Development Centre can help you find work placements across a variety of industry sectors. Placements are offered on over 95% of Brunel’s courses and can last up to a year, depending on your course.

Brunel also has links with over 1,500 companies within various industries, giving students direct contact with possible employers. Employers attend recruitment fairs and other careers events, giving you the chance to increase your job prospects by meeting professionals and beginning to grow your network.  

You’ll also be able to use the uni’s mentoring scheme which will give you access to someone within industry who has experience and connections within the working world. 

Each year Brunel offers over 600 scholarships, bursaries and discounts to its students. The scholarships and bursaries are awarded based on certain criteria, including personal circumstances, ethnic background and academic or extra-curricular merit. This additional funding can go towards the cost of living and study and doesn’t need to be paid back.

Most of Brunel’s scholarships need to be applied for but the bursaries will be awarded automatically, based on personal circumstances. 

The Brunel Under Represented Bursary, for instance, is for students who come from a low-income household, meaning a total annual income of £25,000 or less. To be successful, applicants must meet one of the under-represented criteria, which include being a resident in an area of deprivation, being aged 21 or over at the time of application, or being a registered Care Leaver.

Among the available scholarships are the Music Awards which cover all or part of the holders’ music tuition fees, and the Sports Scholarships Programme which gives funding up to £3,000 to the very best sporting students.

You can find out about all the scholarships and bursaries available, as well as their eligibility criteria, by visiting the uni’s online funding pages.