University of Brighton

Located on England’s beautiful south coast, the University of Brighton is a buzzing multi-campus university with a diverse student body, which includes over 3,000 postgraduate students.

The city of Brighton is famous for its rich heritage and inclusive environment. The university’s postgraduate students can expect to become part of Brighton’s diverse, dynamic, and highly creative community. Both teaching and research at Brighton is modelled around the university’s four core values of creativity, inclusivity, partnership, and sustainability. With a strong focus on career development, the University of Brighton ensures that its students are prepared for future career success through its close links with a multitude of local and international business and research partners.

With a thriving cultural community located on the heart of the historic Sussex coastline, students at Brighton benefit from easy access to beautiful beaches, stunning countryside, and a high-speed train link to central London.

University of Brighton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Brighton is incredibly inclusive for people of all walks of life. There is something to do for all ages and lifestyles and has a great transport link to nearby towns.”

“The uni has a great atmosphere around the main areas of student life… I would recommend brighton uni to anyone considering it.”

“Supportive for student growth and achievement.”

Postgraduate

Postgraduate students can choose from over 140 courses at Brighton, many of which are accredited by professional bodies. The university offers its postgraduate students flexible study options to ensure that they can complete their studies around work and other obligations. Additionally, there are a range of financial support opportunities available to postgraduate students which include scholarships and bursaries.

There are more than 140 postgraduate courses to choose from at the University of Brighton. Lecturers at Brighton are highly qualified experts in their specialist fields who incorporate the latest subject-specific research developments into their teaching modules and research supervisions.

The university offers a range of flexible study options at postgraduate level, with both full or part-time study pathways on most courses. There are also opportunities to study individual masters-level modules.

Postgraduate courses at Brighton are offered across the university’s nine academic schools. These are:

• School of Applied Sciences
• School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering
• School of Art and Media
• School of Business and Law
• School of Education
• School of Humanities and Social Science
• School of Sport and Health Sciences
• Brighton Doctoral College
• Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)

The Brighton Doctoral College oversees all PhD research at the university, providing students with specialised support and access to a dynamic research community throughout the entirety of their doctoral journey.

 University of Brighton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Very encouraging and helpful tutors.”

“The lecturers and technical staff are really inspiring and have a great depth of knowledge on the practical, technical and theoretical aspects of the course.”

“Excellent lecturers, very clear and go in depth! Full support of your style of work.”

Entry requirements for taught postgraduate courses at the University of Brighton vary on a course-by-course basis. Entry requirements are typically dependent on the level of study being undertaken and the course specific subject area. Prospective students are encouraged to consult individual courses pages for the specific entry requirements for each pathway of study.

For most postgraduate courses, students should make their applications directly to the university, but for select courses, applications are required to be made through UCAS or DfE for teacher training courses.

Prospective PhD students are required to submit a detailed research proposal as part of their application process. Research proposals can be made either in response to advertised research projects, or alternatively, students can propose personally developed research projects. For the latter, candidates should approach a member of staff from the university to be their research supervisor before submitting their application. This supervisor will subsequently help and support applicants with their research application.

English language requirements apply for any applicants who do not speak English as their first language. Previous academic achievement in English-taught courses or English language assessment certificates are typically required to be eligible for postgraduate courses at Brighton.

Brighton is a highly regarded university, and the institution is recognised internationally for its academic strengths. In particular, the university is well-known for the strength of its art, education, paramedic science and physiotherapy courses. Lecturers at the university are experts in their respective industries and offer students an education based on unique research insights and professional experience.

The University of Brighton was awarded a Silver award in the most recent national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023). This TEF award recognises the quality of the university’s teaching and its successful student outcomes.

Brighton cultivates an innovate research environment, and the university is home to a number of Centres of Research and Knowledge Exchange Excellence (COREs) which are world-renowned for producing outstanding international contributions in ground-breaking fields. COREs at Brighton include:

• The Advanced Engineering Centre
• Centre for Applied Philosophy
• Politics and Ethics, Centre for Arts and Wellbeing
• Centre for Design History
• Centre for Earth Observation Science
• Centre for Lifelong Health
• Centre for Precision Health and Translation Medicine
• Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices

Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender

The University of Brighton ensures that its postgraduate students are well-prepared for future professional success in both academia and industry. During their studies, postgraduate students can expect to develop a range of advanced transferable skills that they will subsequently utilise throughout their careers. These include research skills, professional communication skills, project management skills, critical thinking, data analysis and advance problem solving.

Within 15 months of graduation, over 91% of University of Brighton graduates are reported to be in employment, study, or further training (Graduate Outcomes 2023). The university is also in the top 30% of UK universities for graduate earnings (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2022).

The majority of postgraduate students can expect their courses to include exchange opportunities with research partners, public services and other associations. A range of placements are built into courses to provide students with the opportunity to develop important professional connections and gain real-world work experience. The university works closely with professional partners in industry to develop its courses, and many of Brighton’s vocational courses are recognised by professional bodies.

Student union

The University of Brighton Students’ Union (SU) is a democratically run organisation, with elected student officers who oversee the union’s activities, campus life and community. The SU organises a huge range of events and activities throughout the year and students can gain invaluable experience by getting involved in SU student campaigns and volunteering opportunities.

Clubs and societies

The SU provides a regular and varied social programme, with more than 100 societies at Brighton for students to choose from. There are also 60 sports clubs currently active at the university.

City life

Brighton is world-famous for its diversity and open-minded attitude, making it a brilliant place for students to call home. With its year-long calendar of festivals and events covering science, culture, music, and the arts there is always something to do. On their days off, students can spend hours exploring the eclectic range of shops, eateries, pubs, and bars down the world-famous Brighton lanes. The city’s nightlife, galleries, museums, and theatres are unrivalled across the length of the south coast. Brighton also has fantastic transport links, with a fast train into central London and local services to the surrounding Sussex countryside.

Accommodation

Postgraduate students at the University of Brighton have a range of accommodation options to choose from while they complete their studies. There are halls of residences at four locations across the city. Prices range between £156 to £227 per week, and certain accommodation options also offer breakfast and evening meals during term times.

The university’s accommodation team has great local knowledge and are always on hand to help postgraduate students find suitable accommodation in the private sector.

Facilities

In recent years, the University of Brighton has invested more than £100 million in new facilities and specialist equipment. The university has recently completed a £27 million development of new halls of residences and support facilities at its Varley Park campus. Brighton has also invested in a range of industry-standard modern learning facilities designed to help students develop transferable professional skills across all its departments.

Specialist facilities at Brighton include an advanced engineering building, flight simulators, and several human movement labs. There are a range of studios, exhibition spaces and workshops for students on architecture, design, fine art, fashion, textiles, photography, and media courses, all equipped with modern equipment. 

The University of Brighton offers a range of student support services to its students in order to help them with any problems they may face while completing their studies.

Mental health and wellbeing are a priority at Brighton, and day-to-day support services include specialist student advisers, support and guidance tutors, confidential support for emotional issues, accommodation support, finance support, and a health services team.

Togetherall is the university’s 24/7 online mental health support service, providing a safe confidential online community with tools to help students cope and connect with other students. Brighton also offers focused support for LGBTQ+ students, as well as learning support coordinators specialising in disability and dyslexia support. Additionally, there are a range of accessible study skills workshops to complement standard academic supervision.

The careers team at Brighton offers a range of career planning support services, including CV writing and interview workshops. There are also career fairs run throughout the year, as well as and a strong entrepreneurial support network which helps students develop new business ideas.

University of Brighton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“The best aspect of my Uni is the student support... Our disability and dyslexia team works hard to support student, plus they offer free counselling sessions for student struggling with mental health and all related issues. Also as a student from BAME background I felt so welcomed and supported throughout my course.”

“Well supported.”

“There is an incredible amount of support for students of all levels and abilities.”

There are a range of funding support options available to eligible postgraduate students at Brighton. These are designed to help students pay tuition fees, cover expenses, and engage in specialist research. For a full and up-to-date list of potential funding sources, prospective students are encouraged to consult the university’s finance directory.

Brighton’s Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship provides a 20% alumni discount on tuition fees to former University of Brighton students. There are also a range of research studentships available through the university’s Doctoral College.

Taught

The University of Brighton offers a range of taught postgraduate course options. Master’s degrees are offered across the university’s specialist schools, as are postgraduate certificates (PGCert) and postgraduate diplomas (PGDip). Additionally, Brighton offers MRes courses which combine taught and subject-specific modules where the majority of credits are earned from a research project. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a variety of other professional qualifications are also available at Brighton.

Research

Brighton’s research community consists of a rich mix of experienced academics, professionals, and research students. The university’s dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment is part of an established national and international research network for knowledge exchange. Brighton is especially committed to supporting research which has a lasting impact on socio-economic issues and cultural development.

The University of Brighton is world-renowned for the quality of its research output. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), 98% of Brighton’s research was rated as world-leading, internationally excellent, or internationally recognised.

Research students at Brighton benefit from a diverse programme of research seminars, workshops and annual research student conferences organised at the university throughout the year. There are also plenty of opportunities for knowledge exchanges and collaborative working through the university’s strong links with industry partners, public services, and professional associations.

Distance learning

Brighton offers a diverse range of study options through which students can complete their studies. Many of the university’s postgraduate courses are available part-time and some are available on a distance learning basis, allowing students to balance their studies with their other commitments.

Studying on a part-time basis or remotely may result in studies lasting longer or having different levels of tuition fees attached, so students should consult the relevant course page before making this decision.