University of Bradford Guide

History

The University of Bradford received its Royal Charter in 1966, but can trace its history and heritage as a leading technical institute back to 1882. The first Chancellor was Lord (Harold) Wilson, the then prime minister.

The University’s long tradition of having technology at its heart continues today with its offer of high quality professional, applied courses underpinned by close links with industry.

Location and Transport

Bradford is one of the least expensive student cities in the UK.

The University has two campuses: the City Campus, which is very close to the centre of Bradford and the School of Management. The School of Management is set in parkland a couple of miles away from the city; it is home to both beautiful historic buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.

The University of Bradford has a great central UK location with excellent transport links including two international airports and trains and coaches direct to London.

The University is located in a beautiful part of the north of England, close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Bradford boasts some of the best world food restaurants in our region with cuisine ranging from Indian, Chinese, Pakistani, Russian and Polish. The city also has a wide range of bars, clubs and music venues to suit all tastes.

For over 40 years, the University of Bradford has developed a unique portfolio of world-class research and knowledge transfer (RKT) in the UK and abroad.

Technology is at the University’s heart with its strengths in Healthcare, Management, Engineering and International Development.

Ranked in the Top 50 English Universities for research funding (HEFCE 2009–10).

80% of research output is of RAE-rated international quality.

Making Knowledge Work is a core value at the University which ensures continued close working with industry and business through teaching, research, placements and collaborations.

The strong emphasis on applied research-informed teaching (informed by the needs of industry). For example, our Engineering Department’s research into industry braking systems now forms part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Masters-level professional training programme.

The research and industry expertise of the academic staff adds an invaluable dimension to the learning experience. For example, academics working on the new 'smart bomb' cancer treatment at the University are also teaching our undergraduate students in areas such as Pharmacy, Drug Discovery, Chemistry and Cancer Pharmacology, and when working on project students have access to the same research labs where these treatments are being developed.

Academic Strengths

The University is an established research active university dating back to 1966. Key areas of excellence include physical sciences and engineering, life sciences and health services, management and business, and international relations, politics and societal impact.

The University offers fantastic work placement opportunities and maintain a global network of potential employers. We maintain links with a range of employers from multinational companies, such as Nissan and Intel, to public bodies, such as the NHS and BBC.

The University has a strong track record of graduates entering professional and managerial level jobs.

Bradford is one of only 6 UK Universities to have international membership of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), giving our students links to 280 universities in 41 worldwide destinations.

The School of Management is one of only 58 business schools across the world with the coveted Triple Crown of accreditations (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), and is ranked amongst the world’s top business schools.

Over 70% of the University’s professional courses have Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body recognition giving those degrees a mark of quality that employers understand and value.

Many of the University’s Development, Politics and Peace Studies, Economics academics have a global profile, advising governments, and international and non-governmental organisations around the world.

Student Facilities

Career Development Services. The professionals in this team are experts in helping students get the career they want. Students can expect impartial career advice, help with finding part-time work, placements, vacation work and graduate jobs. There are also workshops to help write CVs, fill in forms and give great interviews.

Placements. When it comes to preparing you for the working environment, a work placement is invaluable, either as a part of your course or in your spare time. 100% of Bradford students have experience of the world of work as part of their studies.

You will also make contacts which could be useful for the future. Our graduate mentoring scheme puts alumni in touch with current students as a way of giving back to the university and strengthening your links with industry.

Entrepreneurship. It may be that at some point during your University studies – or after you’ve graduated – you decide that you would like to start up your own business. The University of Bradford offer schemes exclusive to its students and graduates which can help with every aspect of starting your own business.

The university invests over £3M annually to support students financially through bursaries and scholarships.

Learner Development Unit. The LDU is here to support students with academic study skills and interpersonal skills. There are regular workshops and clinics on specific subjects as well as individual and group activities with skills advisors.

The University of Bradford has a student support centre known as The Hub. It is the centre of most of the student support services, and students are encouraged to consider The Hub as a one-stop-shop for all needs.

International Office. With 18% of the University’s students (UG/PG) originating from the European Union or other international locations, the International Office is very experienced in understanding the extra support needed by international students.

Library and IT. Wi-Fi is available throughout both our campuses which also have well-stocked libraries and computing facilities. On the city campus these are available for learning and research 24/7.

Culture. The City Campus has its own dedicated theatre, art gallery and music centre. Run by Arts on Campus, it has an exciting programme of events, from original drama to African drumming workshops. You can also check out Bradford Student Cinema and Bradford itself is the world’s first UNESCO City of Film.
 

The University of Bradford Union of Students (UBU) is there to support each and every student studying at Bradford. Every student is automatically a member of the Students’ Union.

It ranks highly in various surveys.

The UBU is where you will find everything you need to complement your student life, whether that is expanding your skills through sports, societies (over 100 to choose from), media or volunteering; meeting new friends or enjoying our entertainments, going on our day trips or events; joining with like-minded students in areas of politics; or getting academic or social advice and support.

The Students' Union is based in the £8-million Student Central building, home to a variety of bars, shops and cafes, a 1,300-capacity nightclub and a sunlight-flooded Atrium. There’s also a great gym and pool at the Unique: Fitness and Lifestyle sports centre.

Sport

Unique Fitness and Lifestyle sports centre is situated at the heart of the main campus. The facilities have benefitted from a £5-million refurbishment.

The large main hall is used for badminton, five-a-side football, trampolining, archery, basketball, volleyball, cricket, netball, martial arts and various fitness activities. The small hall is available for a variety of activities, including fencing, martial arts and exercise classes; while the studio facility provides space for activities such as Tae Kwon do, aerobics, Zumba, body pump and Salsa. There are also two squash courts at the facility.

There is a fully equipped and heated 25-metre indoor swimming pool which is supervised by qualified staff at all times.

The University has invested £120 million in its City and School of Management Campuses. Developments include a sustainable student village, two new science buildings, a conference centre, new School of Health Studies and School of Management buildings, and major refurbishment works to the library and Students’ Union and to the sports centre.

Most recently completed are the Bright Building (Education and Sustainable Development Centre) and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Centre (STEM Building), which has been built to the Passivehaus Standard.

The University has developed, and now manages, a newly constructed award-winning student village consisting of townhouses and cluster flats to accommodate 1,026 students. This has achieved a BREEAM rating of 94.5, the highest score in the world for residential accommodation.

The School of Life Sciences has undergone a £4.3million modernisation of the biomedical science laboratories, the forensic enhancement suite, clinical skills and aseptic suites. It is in the process of developing an Integrated Learning Centre that will feature highly sophisticated human patient simulators and dedicated facilities for scholarship in pathology and anatomy.