Bournemouth University

Undergraduate entry

Applications for full-time undergraduate courses are made through UCAS. Each course sets its own entry requirements, expressed as UCAS Tariff points (for example from three A-levels or equivalent) plus GCSE requirements; some courses also require specific subjects, grades or experience. BU accepts a broad range of academic and vocational qualifications, including BTEC Nationals, T-levels and the International Baccalaureate, all assessed through the UCAS Tariff. Many courses have a Foundation Year option for applicants who do not meet the requirements for the full degree.

Applications are assessed individually, taking into account relevant experience, personal achievements, the reference, the personal statement and enthusiasm for the subject. Some courses, including Health & Social Sciences courses, involve an interview. Through AccessBU, applicants who have not had the same educational opportunities as others may receive an offer below the published tariff.

Key dates for 2027 entry

• 1 September 2026: completed applications can be submitted to UCAS
• 13 January 2027, 18:00: UCAS equal consideration deadline for most courses (late applications accepted while places remain)
• 25 February 2027: UCAS Extra opens
• 30 June 2027: last date for late applications; after this, applications go into Clearing
• 2 July 2027: Clearing opens

International undergraduate entry

Country-specific entry requirements and local representatives are listed under BU in your country, and the International Admissions team advises on qualification equivalence. Students whose qualifications are not equivalent to UK A-levels can take an international foundation programme. Bournemouth University International College, run with Kaplan International Colleges, offers Foundation certificates (Business, Law and Finance; Computing; Media and Communications; Science; Tourism and Hospitality Management), an International Year One certificate in Business or Media leading to year two, and Pre-Master’s courses, each with guaranteed progression on successful completion. Pathway applications and fees go directly to the International College. HND holders are not admitted to postgraduate courses but can apply for top-up degrees.

English language requirements

Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes normally require IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component; research degrees require IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. Some courses set higher scores. BU accepts UKVI-listed tests including IELTS, LanguageCert and Pearson Test of English (Academic), as well as the Kaplan Test of English and the Oxford International English Language Level Test (ELLT). Nationals of UKVI majority English-speaking countries taught in English, and holders of Ofqual- or SQA-regulated GCSE, IGCSE, A-level or Scottish English qualifications taken at a UK school under 18, do not need further evidence. Approved pre-sessional English, pre-Master’s or foundation programmes can also meet the requirement.

Postgraduate taught entry

Entry normally requires a UK Bachelor’s degree, an equivalent professional qualification or a relevant international qualification, and some courses require relevant experience. Applications go through myHub, BU’s online portal, from the ‘Apply now’ button on each course page; MA Social Work, MSc Adult Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing and MSc/PG Dip Physician Associate Studies are applied for through UCAS. Some courses have January as well as September intakes. Home applicants should apply no later than two weeks before the course starts.

Postgraduate research entry

MRes and MPhil applicants need a first or upper second-class (2:1) honours degree or overseas equivalent in a relevant discipline; PhD applicants need a 2:1 or above, or a relevant Master’s degree. Applicants submit a research proposal and are advised to contact potential supervisors first; international MPhil and MRes applicants must secure an academic contact before applying. Decisions normally take four to six weeks. Enquiries: [email protected].

Student visa and CAS

Applicants needing a Student visa should apply as early as possible. A CAS is issued only after a £5,000 deposit is received (£8,000 for 2026/27 applicants from the Haryana and Punjab regions of India and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan) and all myHub actions are complete; applications not ready by the CAS issuance date roll over to the next intake. Some applicants are asked to take a credibility interview. BU has suspended recruitment from Iran and paused visa-sponsored recruitment from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.

Talbot Campus, Poole

Where most undergraduate and postgraduate courses are taught. Facilities include:

• Poole Gateway Building (opened 2020, 5,000 m²): two 4K multi-camera TV studios, sound stage, music studios, screening room, edit and sound suites, green screen and motion capture studio, animation and games labs
• Christchurch House and Dorset House: crime scene simulation, forensic toxicology, DNA and microscopy labs, zooarchaeology and anthropology labs, and the Business School (Dorset House, refurbished 2023)
• Weymouth House (refurbished 2024): integrated newsroom, TV studio and galleries, radio and podcast studios
• Fusion Building (opened 2016, BREEAM Excellent): three lecture theatres, 27 seminar rooms, research space and PC lab
• Sir Michael Cobham Library and Doctoral College: the largest print collection, hundreds of PCs, silent and group study spaces, and the Additional Learning Support team
• Student Centre: SUBU, the Students’ Union, SUBU Advice, Nerve Radio and Nerve Magazine
• SportBU: fitness suite with up to 60 stations, four-court sports hall, two floodlit 3G pitches, group fitness and spin studios, and high-performance facilities for TeamBU athletes
• Poole House: main reception, AskBU, Residential Services, CareersBU, lecture theatres and PC labs
• Design and Engineering Innovation Centre: workshops and labs for design and engineering
• Talbot House: Medical Centre (term time), Student Wellbeing, Faith & Reflection service and music practice rooms
• Student Village: on-campus accommodation

Lansdowne Campus, Bournemouth

Home to most health and social care courses and some postgraduate business courses, a 10-minute bus ride from Talbot.

• Bournemouth Gateway Building (£48m, seven storeys, 10,000 m²): operating theatre, ambulance simulation suite, maternity suite and simulation wards, Weston Library and Wolfson Lecture Theatre
• Executive Business Centre: three small lecture theatres, e-library, and the Orthopaedic Research Institute gait lab
• Bournemouth University International College
• Most halls of residence and the Old Fire Station, the Students’ Union nightclub

Other sites

• Portsmouth Midwifery Campus, Lakeside North Harbour: teaching base for midwifery students, two miles from Queen Alexandra Hospital
• Chapel Gate, near Bournemouth International Airport: outdoor sports venue
• Partner further and higher education colleges in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset

Accommodation

Weekly rents for September 2026 range from £152 to £165 (Unilet shared houses) up to £191 to £238 (Dorchester House) and £154 to £274 (Student Village). Halls include Bailey Point, Chesil House, Cranborne House (around 500 students), Dorchester House (590 students), Lyme Regis House, Okeford House, Purbeck House and the Student Village, with accessible rooms in most. Bookings: [email protected], +44 (0)1202 969696.