Brunel University London

Brunel University London, founded in 1966, is a leading technology university renowned for its education and research, as well as its spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Based in a single, leafy campus in west London, it provides outstanding sports facilities, easy access to central London, and a friendly, vibrant, and strikingly international community. The university is ranked 1st in the UK, 4th in the world for 'International Outlook' (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024).
Research forms the foundation of its teaching. Brunel is rated 74^th globally for research impact and its research helps the United Nations work towards its Sustainable Development Goals. The results of REF 2021 confirm Brunel’s position as a top 40 UK research intensive university. Overall, 72.7% of the research submitted to the REF was assessed as being world-leading or internationally excellent.

Both taught and research students work with leading academics who balance their teaching with research that progresses thinking in their area of expertise. Brunel’s world-leading research addresses some of the biggest challenges faced by society today, while its collaborative partnerships with businesses create opportunities for students to gain industrial experience in real situations.

Brunel University London students on Whatuni say:

“Wonderful place.”

“University has great campus and it is aesthetically nice. Good department and faculties.”

“I love this uni.”

Postgraduate

With a postgraduate community of over 7,000 students, the university cultivates an inclusive learning environment which encourages collaboration and innovation, as well as offering a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and opportunities for networking.

Postgraduate students benefit from the university’s close proximity to London, for both lifestyle and travel reasons, as well as access to one of the largest employment markets in the world.

Brunel offers more than 100 postgraduate taught courses and a wide range of research degrees, supervised by internationally recognised academics, many of whom publish world-leading research in their field of expertise. Their work feeds directly into teaching, providing students with the latest theories and methods, cutting-edge courses and an exceptional learning experience.

Students experience a variety of teaching methods, which differ based on the type of postgraduate course studied, but can include lectures, classroom-based teaching, skills workshops, individual tutorials, peer assessment, research training, and more. Programmes frequently contain an aspect of applied learning, giving students plenty of options to get practical working experience alongside a professional qualification. Placement opportunities are built into the structure of many courses, meaning Brunel students graduate with transferable skills which make them highly desirable to employers.

Brunel also offers apprenticeship programmes developed by employers, professional bodies and the university, where students can begin to earn alongside gaining skills and qualifications.

Brunel University London students on Whatuni say:

“I love the content and the assignments.”

“Many interesting workshops.”

“The course is good and has many aspects which are useful for students.”

Entry requirements vary from course to course, so it is best to check the course page for each subject. In many cases work experience or a portfolio of work will also be considered. There are lots of different routes to entry onto a postgraduate course, and ultimately the University considers each application on an individual basis.

Since Brunel’s postgraduate courses are delivered in English, there is a minimum English language proficiency requirement that all international students for whom English is not their first language must fulfil, before starting their programme. Brunel recognises a range of English language qualifications including its own test, the BrunELT. Students can find out more about these here.

If your level of English does not meet the entry requirements for your course, you’ll be offered the chance to attend an English language course at the Brunel Language Centre. The centre can support you before and during your studies.

Brunel has offered research programmes since its foundation in 1966, promising “research and enterprise for the benefit of individuals and society”. The university aims to provide courses inspired by the practical, imaginative and entrepreneurial spirit of the man it is named after - Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Research areas are focused on communities, digital, health, manufacturing and sustainability. There is a strong, vibrant and inclusive research culture and environment at Brunel, embedding an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit throughout, in order to attract, develop and retain exceptional PhD students, early career researchers and academic staff at all levels. Brunel is a top 40 UK research university, with excellent sustainable development credentials, rated 74th globally for research impact. With more than 70% of its REF submitted work being assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent, the university is a formidable research institution with strong links to global industry and the wider research community.

Brunel University London students on Whatuni say:

“Nice campus and facilities.”

“Best part is facilities and the environment.”

“Best part is facilitative teaching with multimedia and everything.”

The university is a career-oriented institution, which provides a wide range of services through the Brunel University Professional Development Centre. The centre offers personalised career guidance including job seeking, CV writing and interview training, as well as organising networking events and career workshops throughout the year where postgraduate students can meet with recruiters and professional representatives.

A growing number of postgraduate courses now offer placement opportunities, giving students important hands-on industry experience that is directly relevant to their studies. Students receive support throughout the application process. To check if specific courses offers a placement option, students can check the course pages on the university website.

Brunel graduates have gone on to become leaders at major companies including Barclays, Centrica and JP Morgan. Others have become judges, MPs and successful entrepreneurs. Brunel alumni also include many household names in the arts and media industries, alongside Olympic, Paralympic, World and Commonwealth champions in a range of sports.

Brunel University London students on Whatuni say:

“Recently I have attended a career fest which consisted of so many events. It really helped me to get a good understanding of UK job prospects.”

“Graduate job applications its just fantastic.”

“The university maintains strong links with industry, facilitating internships and job placements for students.”

Student union

Brunel’s student union ensures that every student has the opportunity to enjoy, challenge, influence and benefit from all aspects of their studies and the wider student experience.

The union’s advice service provides free and confidential advice on everything from money and debt to housing and academic issues. Active@Brunel is the union’s social sport programme, which is available to all students including weekly yoga, pilates and boxercise classes alongside on-campus intramural football leagues. More information can be found online. 

Clubs and societies

The Union of Brunel Students co-ordinates more than 100 societies, from arts and crafts to a range of cultural societies and subject-specific groups, where students can socialise with their course mates. There are also around 40 sports clubs, including athletics, American football and lacrosse. 

City life

Brunel University London is only 20 minutes’ walk from Uxbridge town centre, which has a large variety of stores with favourite high street names and must-have brands, as well as numerous bars, cafés and restaurants. Access to central London is easy as Brunel is only 45 minutes away by train or tube.

Brunel University London students on Whatuni say:

“Everything is on point.”

“I love the campus and the events going on.”

“It has a great ambience and a best University to learn and explore a new life.”

Accommodation

Postgraduate students are usually allocated together in Brunel’s own on-campus accommodation. Students can choose from single rooms, with shared bathrooms and kitchens, or ensuite rooms with shared kitchens. Some halls even have double beds and couples’ accommodation.

Most accommodation comes with bike storage, fast Wi-Fi and 24/7 security. Prices vary depending on different room types. Rent includes Wi-Fi, utility bills and basic contents insurance cover.

Accommodation is guaranteed on campus for all new students who meet their course conditions and apply for a room by the end of August 2024. For courses starting in January 2025, room applications will be prioritised during the following months.

Facilities

All of Brunel’s facilities - accommodation, catering, social and sports facilities, lecture theatres, library, computer centre and welfare facilities - are located on one campus. Everything is within a 10-minute walk.

Postgraduate student reviewers are impressed with the quality and range of what’s being provided for them, with the library and sporting facilities, in particular, getting positive mentions.

Brunel University London students on Whatuni say:

“The room is really good.”

“Best thing I faced in the university is library which i often visit, I love the resources available.”

“I love living here.”

Brunel University London provides advice and support relating to student life, finances and employment. Brunel is committed to supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing with a variety of services that are free to all Brunel students. The Meeting House is a Faith and Spirituality Centre where students can unwind and explore faith and spirituality. Brunel’s campus and facilities are recognised as some of the best in the country for disabled students. The university offers advice and support to disabled students, including those with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.

Brunel is also one of the top universities in the country for international students, and is even ranked by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 as being 4^th in the world and 1^st in the UK. The level of support that international students can expect from the university, and the welcoming atmosphere from its student community, is superb.

Student reviewers are impressed with the level of support being given, with plenty of high ratings for this particular category.

Brunel University London students on Whatuni say:

“Student Union and generally the university is very supportive.”

“Great teachers and support.”

“Teachers are friendly and interactive.”

Brunel offers a large number of postgraduate scholarship and bursary programmes, which are awarded for a range of criteria. Each year the university offers over 1,000 scholarships, bursaries and financial awards to newly enrolled students. Below is a small selection of what is available.

Brunel graduate discount

Eligible students can receive a 15% discount on tuition fees, if they are a Brunel graduate starting a postgraduate course on a self-funding basis.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Award for International students

Brunel is offering a £5,000 fee reduction for self-funded international students across its postgraduate taught courses.

Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship

Students with first class undergraduate degrees from UK universities can receive a 15% reduction in postgraduate tuition fees. This award can be combined with the Brunel graduate discount, which adds a further 15% discount for students who completed their undergraduate degree at the university.

MBA Scholarships

A range of scholarships are offered for both full-time and part-time MBA study.

Full scholarships and bursary information is available on Brunel’s website.

Taught

Brunel offers over 100 taught master’s courses, spanning subjects like business, creative writing, engineering, games design, and law so students can explore diverse opportunities at Brunel. Many courses are offered part-time as well as full-time, giving postgraduate students a range of options for combining their studies with existing work or personal commitments.

Research

Brunel provides superb research opportunities in many fields of study. Students can undertake research degrees within one of its world-leading interdisciplinary institutes, work alongside researchers in academic departments, or follow one of Brunel’s subject routes.

The Brunel University Graduate School provides a rich programme of training and support to help students succeed as researchers. It also offers 24/7 study space, computer facilities, laptop loans and space to socialise and meet other researchers and postgraduate students.

Distance learning

Brunel offers a distance learning study mode for selected courses, providing traditional campus methods from the comfort of home, with course textbooks and correspondence with Brunel taking place through post and email. 

Alternatively, Brunel’s online study mode gives unlimited access to studio-quality video tutorials, industry case studies, class forums, tutored discussion groups, podcasts, and more, creating a highly collaborative study environment that will allow students to build connections with like-minded professionals worldwide.