Bournemouth University

Based by the sea in south-west England, just two hours from London by train, Bournemouth University offers more than 80 taught master’s courses as well as many research programmes. 16% of its students are in postgraduate study, meaning students will be joining a diverse and thriving postgraduate community.

The university has three academic faculties and The Bournemouth University Business School, which divided into individual departments:

Health & Social Sciences

Departments: Medical Science & Public Health, Nursing Science, Midwifery & Health Sciences, Rehabilitation & Sport Sciences and Social Sciences & Social Work

The Bournemouth University Business School

Departments: Accounting, Finance & Economics, Marketing, Strategy & Innovation, Sport & Event Management and People & Organisations

Media & Communication

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

Science & Technology

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

The university is well regarded for its research study, which is overseen at the Doctoral College. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), 94% of Bournemouth’s research output was rated as ‘internationally recognised’ or higher, with 19% rated as world-leading in quality.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University supports a lively postgraduate community numbering around 3,500 students. It offers taught master’s courses across 17 subject areas, as well as various postgraduate research qualifications spanning its three academic faculties and the Bournemouth University Business School.

Bournemouth University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“I think best thing about Bournemouth, is location because there is a bit of everything for everyone.”

“I just love it.”

“The campus is great with good facilities and places to study.”

Bournemouth University offers taught master’s courses across 17 subject areas, spanning a wide range of academic disciplines. Courses are delivered by the university’s expert teaching faculty, who comprise a group of highly qualified individuals with a wealth of experience and knowledge and a passion for mentoring students to achieve both academic and personal success.

Many of Bournemouth’s staff members have taught and worked overseas and are able to offer a diversity of industry-informed insights to students who are planning their career pathways. Staff are superb communicators, and able to effectively transmit their knowledge and understanding to student from all backgrounds.

As well as a wide range of taught master’s courses, the university offers PhDs and postgraduate research courses, and has a strong foundation of world-class research centres which back up its curriculum.

Taught master’s courses are also available on a part-time basis, and many courses can be started in January or September.

Bournemouth University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Lecturers are so friendly and supportive “

“The staff are very knowledgeable.”

“I'm from January intake I haven't experienced any issues, and everything is going well.”

For entry onto Bournemouth University’s postgraduate taught courses, applicants will typically need a UK bachelor’s degree or equivalent. However, there are many pathways to enrolment and the university admissions team considers each application based on its individual merits. Extensive prior work experience can be taken into account, and Bournemouth encourages all people with a desire to study at the university to submit an application. Requirements vary on a course-by-course basis, and prospective students should consult the university website for full details about entry requirements specific to each course.

Additionally, there is an English language proficiency requirement for all students for whom English is not their first language. This involves assessment in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and entry to a master’s degree requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each band. Entry onto a research degree programme requires an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four component scores.

Bournemouth University is a research-driven institution and has demonstrated this through its recent success in the REF2021 results, in which an impressive 94% of its measured research output was rated as ‘internationally recognised’ or higher.

Its many research centres are central to these strengths, together they make a multi-disciplinary network which maintains close ties with leading professional organisations and other research institutions. Strengths include:

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.

The Bournemouth University Business School

The Bournemouth University Business School's fields include, 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.

Bournemouth University students on Postgraduate Search say:

"The facilities that I need to carry out any research are available at the click of a button.”

“Evidence of research been carried out by lecturers and also give us the opportunity to do so much research and understanding.”

“Course was obviously very good and the teaching quality was awesome.”

Depending on course selection, Bournemouth University can offer a variety of exciting work placements to its postgraduate students. For those seeking a placement, the university’s CareersBU Team and the placements office in each faculty will help students to find and organise one. The university careers service can also help students with many other aspects of sourcing employment, such as writing a successful CV, searching for job opportunities and interview training.

Postgraduate students also have access to the university’s expansive network of professional partners and industry professionals, which is a great place to start looking for placements and employment openings. Students can continue to use Bournemouth University’s careers advisers after graduation, as well as join the university’s global alumni community, who number more than 50,000 registered members working in every kind of professional sector.

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

Bournemouth University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“The lecturers are experts in the field and well connected to others which is good for networking"

“Great facilities and careers support”

"The course is a very challenging course but in a good way. It aids in critical thinking and helps 

Student union

Postgraduate students are represented by Bournemouth University’s Students’ Union (SUBU), which is run by four full-time officers. It co-ordinates 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 SUBU and doctoral college, providing a voice and community for postgrads at BU.

Clubs and societies

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

City life

Bournemouth is a lively modern student town with plenty to offer. The town centre is filled with coffee shops, independent cafés and restaurants, there are miles of sandy beach to enjoy, and plenty of nightlife and shopping too. Postgraduate students are ideally placed to explore the Jurassic Coast or the New Forest National Park.

Bournemouth University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“I liked the student union they have a lot of things and events I like”

“During the summer the beach is amazing!!! And you already live in the area so it’s just a quick ride away."

“Very safe, especially if you own a bike”

Accommodation

Accommodation is guaranteed for postgraduate students who have a firm unconditional offer and book by their accommodation by the relevant deadlines (2025/26 entry). Okeford House (from £149 a week) is the only accommodation exclusively dedicated to postgraduate students.

Shared postgraduate/undergraduate housing includes:

• Bailey Point (from £209 a week)
• Chesil House (from £149 a week)
• Corfe House (from £158 a week)
• Dorchester House (from £197 a week)
• Student Village on Talbot Campus (from £129 a week)

The university’s ResLifeBU programme supports all students throughout their time in Bournemouth.

Facilities

There are two campuses at Bournemouth University. Lansdowne, in the town centre, hosts the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, and most university accommodation, while Talbot Campus hosts the university’s other faculties and the Bournemouth University Business School.

Talbot Campus includes the Sir Michael Cobham Library, a TV studio, music studio, sports performance laboratory and a crime scene training facility. It is also home to Bournemouth’s sporting facilities and the Students’ Union headquarters.

The Lansdowne Campus is home to the Executive Business Centre and the Bournemouth Gateway Building for healthcare students.

Bournemouth University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“The course is good and we have access to good facilities.”

“Accommodation was safe and the wifi was always working"

“Facilities in campus buildings are well maintained and cleaned"

Student Services is made up of a number of teams who offer advice to staff as well as students. These teams are there for the fun stuff as well as the more serious issues that students might face. The services offered include:

• AskBU – a one stop shop for any student enquiries, with a team available on campus, by phone, and via email.

• Disability & Additional Learning Support (ALS): This team offers information and signposting for a range of disability-related concerns such as funding, reasonable adjustments and exam access.
• Careers & Employability: The CareersBU Team provides advice and extra-curricular activities to help you gain skills that will help you from your time at BU and beyond into the world of work.
• Student Wellbeing: The Student Wellbeing service is run in partnership with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust. It's a free, confidential, specialist service designed to help students who need specific support
• Faith & Reflection: The team of chaplains and faith advisors offer confidential and non-judgemental support, guidance, prayer and a listening ear, regardless of whether you have faith or not.
• Medical Centre: The Student Medical Centre on Talbot Campus offers a full range of services including online advice, appointments, vaccinations and out of hours support
• ResLifeBU: If you’re in BU accommodation you can get involved with the team who provide social, wellbeing and skills support.

Bournemouth University students on Postgraduate Search say:

“The course is good and we have access to good facilities.”

“Accommodation was safe and the wifi was always working"

“Facilities in campus buildings are well maintained and cleaned"

Academic Achievement Scholarship

A £2,000 tuition fee reduction is available for UK/CI/ROI postgraduate taught students who, at minimum, have achieved an upper second-class Honours degree (2:1), a CPE with merit profile, or overseas equivalent (for 2025/2026 entry).

Academic Excellence Scholarship

A £3,750 tuition fee reduction is available for international postgraduate taught students who, at minimum, have achieved an upper second-class Honours degree (2:1), or equivalent (for 2025/2026 entry). 

BU Sport Scholarship

Up to £5,000 available for students who demonstrate sporting excellence and compete at elite level (for 2025/2026 entry).

BU Music Scholarships

A package worth £600 available for students with proven academic grounding in music, who have reached Grade 8 in their instrument or voice (for 2025/2026 entry).

Taught

Bournemouth University offers a huge range of taught postgraduate courses across 17 different subject areas. These typically have a duration of 1-2 years and are taught by an experienced and enthusiastic teaching faculty. Courses include:

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

Research

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 and with national and international recognition. These centres are multi-disciplinary, professionally related areas embodying cross-faculty collaboration and support. They conduct world-leading research into many key issues facing society and are strongly connected to the wider research community.

Distance learning

Some of Bournemouth University’s postgraduate courses are available via distance learning and delivered through the university’s virtual learning environment. These allow students to complete their course from anywhere around the world, and organise their work around existing commitments. Prospective students are encouraged to check details with the university to explore all the remote options available.