University of Bradford, UK - Ranking, Reviews, Courses, Tuition Fees

Overview

About University of Bradford

Founded in 1832 as the Mechanics Institute, the University of Bradford has grown into a leading institution recognised for over 50 years of research excellence, industry-relevant teaching, and a curriculum shaped by real-world application. The university received its Royal Charter in 1966, becoming Britain’s 40th university, and has since remained committed to supporting students as they work towards meaningful and impactful careers.

Bradford maintains strong partnerships with organisations across the UK and internationally. Collaborations with industry, public sector bodies and global partners – including those in Africa, France, Oman and Spain – strengthen its academic offering and provide students with access to valuable internships, placements and professional networks.

Significant investment in the campus has created a modern, high-tech environment, featuring specialist facilities such as the Bloomberg Trading Room and an advanced motion capture studio. These resources enable students to develop practical skills and experience that prepare them for the demands of a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Set in the heart of Yorkshire, Bradford is a vibrant, multicultural city where more than 120 nationalities come together and build a community that feels like home. With strong transport links across the UK, it’s a launchpad for new journeys, discoveries and opportunities.

Bradford provides the opportunities, tools and support that help students move forward.

University Ranking

QS World University Rankings

2026 511 20

2025 531 110

2024 641

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

2026 501

2025 501

2024 501

Graduate outcomes

The wonderful staff and students at Bradford have developed a culture where entrepreneurship flourishes. Success is the norm here: 93 percent of 2023 graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation, with 74 percent in high-skilled employment (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/2023).

Industry experience

Through invaluable work experience placements, sandwich years, industry-quality facilities and employability events, the university well-equips its students for success in the professional world.

It has formed many partnerships with esteemed global organisations such as the BBC, the NHS, PwC, Jaguar and Land Rover, providing countless opportunities for students to develop skills and boost their graduate prospects.

Career support

Bradford’s career and employability services have support services that students can access during their studies and for five whole years after graduation. Services include:

Bradford also offers the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). This helps students to better showcase their skills to potential employers, as extra-curricular successes can be presented alongside academic grades.

What’s new

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.

Finances

How much will it cost?

Average tuition fees per year

11,39,424 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

13,30,714 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

Scholarships & funding

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.

Eligibility

Entry requirements

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.

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

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.

Department structure

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.