Buckinghamshire New University

Buckinghamshire New University is an employability-driven institution, with strong ties to regional industry networks. The university works in close contact with its network of industry partners, and its curriculum is informed by these relationships, ensuring that the course content is always at the cutting edge of the field.

The university has been recognised by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2018 with a Silver Award, for cultivating an inclusive and personalised learning environment with interactive teaching methods and small class sizes.

Buckinghamshire New University is continually investing in the future of its students. There are comprehensive facilities on site, ensuring the most up-to-date equipment is available, as well as everything its students need to experience a welcoming social climate, with convenient on-site amenities. Their campuses are based in High Wycombe; Uxbridge, and Aylesbury Vale, which are well serviced by public transport links into London.

Courses are designed in collaboration with industry leading companies, which opens doors to options for career-specific experience while studying. Students benefit from access to work placement and volunteering opportunities, where they are able to attain hands-on practical application of their academic work.

The university has a dedicated Careers and Employability Team which offers year-round support and advice in all matters regarding job search applications, CV writing, interview training and much more. Career advisors offer support with decisions relating to career direction and future prospects, as well as connecting students with the university’s worldwide network of alumni.

The Big Deal package is an initiative which offers free access to a huge range of activities and enrichment opportunities, from skills workshops to student representative schemes. Many of these are great socialising activities, which can also be used to enhance CV’s and strengthen job applications.

Buckinghamshire New University has built a program of over 42 postgraduate and professional degree courses, distributed over a wide range of subject areas. Lecturers are highly qualified and widely experienced in their field, and many have worked and taught overseas, enabling them to communicate their expertise effectively to students from all over the world. Tutors frequently continue their own academic research alongside their teaching commitments, and students benefit from relevant and up-to-date information and expertise to inform their studies.

There are seven specialised schools within the university department structure:

• School of Art Design & Performance
• School of Aviation & Security
• School of Business, Law & Computing
• School of Media & Creative Industries
• School of Nursing & Allied-Health
• School of Health Care & Social Work
• School of Human & Social Sciences

A full list of postgraduate courses is also available.

Buckinghamshire New University has a very active Students’ Union (SU), which is well funded and highly organised. The SU performs a lot of roles within the student community, providing a hub of student-run information and services for the express purpose of enhancing the university experience.

There is a lively program of events, from live music to career workshops and the SU owns several venues across campus. There are bars, cafes and even a nightclub, offering many opportunities to socialise with other students beyond the classroom and forge friendships which can last a lifetime. The SU also co-ordinates over 30 clubs and societies, ranging from sports teams to language groups and everything in between.

The SU acts a representative body, providing support and advice and ensuring that the voices of its students are heard by the university. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved in and contribute to the learning environment.

While the university has no specific halls of residence for postgraduate students, it does have an accommodation service which provides support and advice in finding suitable private accommodation in the surrounding area. There are many different types of housing opportunities available, from private studios to shared apartments, and options to suit a whole range of budgets and preferences.

The university’s online database, ‘Studentpad’ is a great resource for exploring housing options nearby, with information on what to expect for pricing and proximity to university. Studentpad also provides helpful information and guidance for first-time renters, and has a specific International Student’s Guide which provides a comprehensive package of information and advice to help overseas students settle in and find the right accommodation to suit their needs. It also contains advice on what to expect while living in the UK, and useful suggestions for what to bring from home.

The university’s four campuses are designed to be self-contained learning environments, providing students everything they need for academic success and personal development. The campuses can be found in four lively towns, just outside of London, each with their own distinct personality while also being well serviced by public transport to Central London. There is a free bus service between the High Wycombe and Uxbridge Campuses, ensuring students can make the most of the Students’ Union services.

The largest campus at High Wycombe has a range of course specific facilities which students may use for free, to advance their degree studies and to prepare for their future careers. These include facilities for Aviation, Film and TV, Performance and Sport, Nursing and Healthcare.

The university’s Gateway Gym is a modern and very well equipped facility with every type of equipment needed from beginner level, to experienced athlete. Students benefit from a discounted subscription rate.

The main university campus is located in High Wycombe, a historic market town nestled between the relaxing Chiltern Hills area, and the lively bustle of London. High Wycombe is a fantastic place to live and study, offering the best of both worlds. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and outstanding natural beauty of the English countryside, with many options for hiking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits. The town itself has all the amenities necessary to support a vibrant student population. There is a large shopping centre, many restaurants and cafes, friendly local pubs and bars and a highly renowned theatre with a program of live cultural events.

The Uxbridge campus is based at the edge of West London, and the Aylesbury campus is conveniently located in the countryside, a short one-hour journey from Central London. Each campus is readily accessible by bus or train with direct links to London and Oxford.

There are a huge variety of clubs and societies available to join at Buckinghamshire New University. Societies are a fantastic way for students to expand their university experience beyond the walls of the classroom and invest in personal interests and skills, while building networks of friendships. Societies are a great way for students to develop employability, enhancing skills such as teamwork, leadership and problem solving skills, as well as bringing opportunities for practical experience in management, organisation and communication.

From boxing to basketball, yoga to gaming, there is a whole world of clubs and societies for students to participate in to share, compete and create their university experience. There are over 50 active societies which are free to join via the Big Deal scheme. The Students’ Union encourages a proactive community and there are many resources in place for establishing new clubs and societies.

Buckinghamshire New University is committed to providing a secure and supportive environment for all its students, so they may achieve their academic and personal goals. The university runs dedicated Student Centres at the High Wycombe and Uxbridge campuses where staff are able to listen, talk and support in any way which they can.

The Student’s Union Advice Centre also offers free and confidential services by student advisors who also study at the university, offering relatable advice and sharing personal experiences. The Advice Centre provides guidance across a number of topics including financial concerns, housing, health and wellness as well as course related issues. Other support services provided by the university include:

• Multi-faith Chaplaincy
• Learning Development Unit
• Disability Service
• Counselling Service

Buckinghamshire New University maintains that access to further education should be available to any student with the motivation and aspiration to achieve their goals, regardless of economic background.

The university makes an effort to keep its course fees accessible, and the tuition amount varies based on specific degree program. The university also understands that the cost of moving away from home and living independently can be a significant consideration when applying for a degree course, especially for postgraduate students who have already completed an undergraduate degree.

Consequently, the university offers a discount in tuition fees for postgraduate students who have completed their undergraduate degree at Buckinghamshire New.

The university offer a range of postgraduate bursaries and scholarships, on both needs-based and merit-based criteria. These awards vary in value and are a great way for ambitious and high-achieving students to subsidise the cost of their time at university, directly through their studies. Eligibility for needs-based awards may vary according to personal circumstance, and the university financial support team is available all year round to advise and assist.

The financial support team can also assist with applications for external funding options, from national and government sponsored schemes. Applications are submitted online.

Buckinghamshire New University splits its range of postgraduate programs across three campuses and is well known for delivering the full university experience.

It has been ranked in the Top 25 UK universities for teaching quality, and a Top 20 UK university for overall student experience according to the 2020 NSS. In the same survey, Buckinghamshire’s Students’ Union placed 3rd in the UK in terms of how the Student’s Union represents their student’s interests. Additionally, it is a Top 10 UK university for graduate employment, according to HESA 2020.

One of the university’s main strengths is its career-focused course structures, distributed across a wide spread of subject areas. The university is one of the South-East’s leading providers of nursing qualifications, offering courses in both adult and child nursing, as well as mental health and disability pre-qualifying programs.

Buckinghamshire New University works hard to ensure that the postgraduate admission process remains accessible to students from all backgrounds. They encourage anyone who is motivated to study at the university to submit an application, and before applying, applicants should familiarise themselves with any key deadlines or additional requirements associated with the school or program they are applying to.

Postgraduate entry requirements vary considerably based on choice of degree course, and individual circumstance, and are subject to consideration by the university’s admissions team. However, in general, postgraduate applicants are required to submit the following:

• British bachelor's degree with a minimum classification of 2.2, or equivalent qualification
• CV or resume
• Essay or cover letter, if applicable
• Letter of recommendation if applicable

Buckinghamshire New University has built a reputation for research excellence. At the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment, the university was recognised as both internationally excellent, and world leading, with submissions in the following areas:

• Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
• Business and Management Studies
• Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
• Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

The university offers postgraduate research degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Their researchers and research students are supported through a variety of development events. The university was one of the first institutions to offer the Academic Professional Apprenticeship for researchers. More information is available on the research section of the university website.

Buckinghamshire New University is known for its excellent face-to-face tuition, and it has also developed a hybrid learning model to deliver its high-quality courses through a combination of on-campus and online teaching and assessment. This allows students a great deal of flexibility with timetabling and creates an opportunity for students to organise their studies around personal and professional responsibilities.

The full-time postgraduate degree programs do require attendance, although may be scheduled to suit the individual student’s preferences. Weekday, evening or weekend classes are optional, as well as some distance learning elements.

There are some entirely online course options, where high quality course content is delivered through the university’s dedicated online learning portal. Students are able to interact with their peers and tutors through virtual classrooms, with online tutorial and lecture streaming services.

Buckinghamshire New University has several options for flexible study and distance learning at postgraduate level. While the majority of courses require attendance, a few courses are entirely delivered as online classes through the university’s online learning platform. The university has recently made changes to offer a greater range of online tuition.

The MA in 3D Animation is an example of one of these courses, with course content delivered though a combination of streamable video tutorials and group Skype sessions, which maintain connection with peers and lecturers. Similarly, the Applied Positive Psychology MSc, which is usually delivered as a hybrid course, is now offered as an entirely online option.

As the education sector moves towards a more adaptable digital environment, the faculty staff at Buckinghamshire New University are consciously ensuring that it’s courses remain accessible and relevant.

Buckinghamshire New University offers a broad range of postgraduate and professional courses in fields such as aviation, clinical psychology, risk management and an international MBA course. The university provides full support with time and workload management, and many degrees are designed to be flexible, to fit around professional and personal commitments. There are postgraduate bursaries and scholarship as well as financial incentives available to students who completed their undergraduate degree at the university.

Postgraduate students benefit from a lot of contact time with tutors, who are individually assigned and who themselves carry out leading research in their fields. Students enjoy access to the university’s extensive network of alumni and professional partners, greatly helping in the search for competitive post-university employment. A postgraduate degree from Buckinghamshire New University is superb preparation for industry leading employment or further academic work.