Bournemouth University

Based by the sea in south-west England, just two hours from London by train, Bournemouth University offers over 90 taught Master’s courses as well as many research programmes. 16% of its students are in postgraduate study, meaning you’ll be joining a thriving postgrad community.

The University has four academic faculties, divided into numerous individual schools:

• Health & Social Sciences

Departments: Human Sciences & Public Health, Nursing & Clinical Sciences, and Social Sciences & Social Work

• Management

Departments: Bournemouth University Business School (including the departments of: Accounting, Finance & Economics; Leadership, Strategy & Organisations; Marketing), Events & Leisure, Sport & Physical Activity, and Tourism & Hospitality

• Media & Communication

Departments: Corporate & Marketing Communications, Journalism, English & Communications, Law, Media Production, and the National Centre for Computer Animation

• Science & Technology

Departments: Archaeology, Anthropology & Forensic Science, Computing & Informatics, Creative Technology, Design & Engineering, Life & Environmental Sciences, and Psychology

Its Doctoral College oversees all aspects of research study.

Visit their student blog to hear from their students and find out more about life at Bournemouth University.

Depending on which course you choose, Bournemouth University offers postgraduate students work placements. If you need a placement, the University’s Careers & Employability Service and the placements office in your faculty will help you find one. You can also use Bournemouth University’s careers advisers for three years after your course finishes.

The University encourages its students to take as many development opportunities as possible whilst studying to enhance their specific skills and knowledge, for example through volunteering.

Bournemouth University offers taught Master’s courses across 12 subject areas. Taught Master’s courses are also available on a part-time basis, and you can start some subjects in January.

Postgraduate students are represented by Bournemouth University’s Students’ Union (SUBU), which is run by five full-time officers. It runs over 130 clubs and societies as well as a media outlet, Nerve Media, which includes a radio station.

A postgraduate student representative scheme also operates through the Students’ Union and Doctoral College, providing a voice and community for postgrads at BU.

Accommodation is guaranteed for postgraduate students who have a firm unconditional offer and book by their accommodation by the relevant deadlines. Okeford House (approx. £139 a week) is their only accommodation dedicated to postgrad students only.

There are also other types of accommodation that would be shared with undergraduates, including:

• Bailey Point (approx. £165 a week)
• Chesil House (approx. £141 a week)
• Corfe House (approx. £140 a week)
• Dorchester House (approx. £153 a week)
• Student Village (approx. £137 a week)

The University’s ResLifeBU programme - run by staff and students - will be there to support you throughout your time in Bournemouth.

If you choose to live in private rentals, Bournemouth University’s student lettings service, LettingsBU, will provide help and advice with your search.

There are two campuses at Bournemouth University. Lansdowne, in the town centre, hosts the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences as well as most of its accommodation; while Talbot Campus hosts the University’s other faculties and facilities.

Facilities at Talbot Campus include the Sir Michael Cobham Library, a TV studio, music studio, sports performance laboratory and a crime scene training facility.

On the Lansdowne Campus, the Executive Business Centre offers postgraduate business and management students a modern professional learning environment. The Faculty of Health & Social Sciences has a fully-functioning ambulance and clinical skills labs.

The new Poole and Bournemouth Gateways offers seminar rooms, catering facilities and world-class specialist skills facilities.

There are miles of sandy beach to enjoy in Bournemouth, and plenty of nightlife and shopping too. If all of that doesn’t excite you, then you’ll be in the ideal place to explore the Jurassic Coast or the New Forest National Park.

Bournemouth University’s clubs and societies are co-ordinated by the Students’ Union (SUBU), which looks after groups from the Animation Society to the Writers’ Society, as well as societies for those interested in specific academic fields.

A Wellbeing Advisor can offer practical help with difficulties such as stress, panic, worry or eating and sleeping problems; while a confidential counselling service is also available, along with drop-in support. There’s also Grow@BU, a programme to help you develop as a learner and as an individual. The Students’ Union also offers a wide range of advice services.

For academic support, students undertaking a postgraduate research degree are allocated a supervisory team, who will oversee their studies and offer guidance where necessary.

Postgraduate fees vary depending on the course you study, but are inclusive and cover all the essential course elements.

UK/ EU taught course fees, per year: £6,500 - £12,000

UK/ EU research course fees, per year: vary depending on whether library or laboratory based, see website for details

International student taught fees, per year: £12,000 - £15,000

International student research fees, per year: vary depending on whether library or laboratory based, see website for details

(2021/22 entry fees)

Academic Achievement Scholarship

A £2,000 tuition fee reduction for most taught Master’s or Masters by Research programmes for UK students who, at minimum, have gained a 2:1 at undergraduate level, a CPE with merit profile, or overseas equivalent (for 2021/2022 entry). This aims to reward academic excellence, so you’ll be assessed on your actual results.

BU Sport Scholarship

Between £500 and £5,000 is available for students who can demonstrate excellence in their chosen sport and compete in regional, national and international squads.

BU Music Scholarships

A package worth £600 is available if you can prove an academic grounding in music (such as an A-level), and have reached Grade 8 (or equivalent) in your instrument or voice. You’ll need to demonstrate how you plan to develop musically and take lessons with one of the university’s tutors.

Media & Communication

Bournemouth University’s Faculty of Media & Communication is recognised as the only Centre for Excellence in Media Practice in the UK. It has long been a hub for journalism training and research, while its animation graduates have worked on several Hollywood Oscar-winning films.

Science & Technology

Bournemouth’s Faculty of Science & Technology’s areas of research include forensic archaeology and crime scene science.

Management

Its Faculty of Management’s fields include the effects of tourism, sport, taxation, disaster management and regulation. The Business School is accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Health & Social Sciences

The Health & Social Sciences faculty’s work studies dementia, midwifery, nutrition, public health issues and mental health.

For entry onto their postgraduate taught courses, you will normally need a UK Bachelor's degree or equivalent, however you should consult the Bournemouth University website for the entry requirements specific to each course.

There are various postgraduate research qualifications that BU awards, as well as an annual fully-funded PhD Studentships scheme.

Building on their research strengths and research potential, Bournemouth University has several Centres of Research, focused on specific areas of interest, already gaining national and international recognition. These centres are multi-disciplinary, professionally-related areas embodying cross-faculty collaboration and support.

There’s a huge range of postgraduate courses across 17 different subject areas. These are:

• Accounting, Finance & Economics
• Archaeology & Anthropology
• Business & Management
• Computer Animation & Visual Effects
• Computing & Informatics
• Design & Engineering
• Disaster Management
• Health
• Journalism, English & Communication
• Law
• Life & Environmental Sciences
• Marketing
• Media Production
• Politics
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Tourism, Hospitality, Events & Sport

Some of Bournemouth University’s postgraduate courses are available via distance learning - check with the University itself.

Bournemouth University offers taught Master’s courses across 17 subject areas, as well as various postgraduate research qualifications spanning its faculties.