University Of Bradford: Student Population And Campus Insights

The University of Bradford is a public research university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The university has around 10,000 students, including 11,665 undergraduates and 7,923 postgraduates. The student body is made up of 8,485 UK/EU residents and 3,180 non-EU international students, with mature students comprising around a third of the undergraduate community. The University of Bradford offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various faculties, including Engineering & Informatics, Health Studies, Life Sciences, and Management, Law, and Social Sciences.

Breakdown of the student population

The University of Bradford has a student population of around 10,000, with a close-knit and friendly atmosphere that enables students to get to know each other quickly. The student body is made up of both undergraduate and postgraduate students, with a notable proportion of mature students.

Undergraduate Students

The University of Bradford has a notable number of mature students, who make up around a third of the undergraduate community. The university offers a range of undergraduate courses across various faculties, including Engineering & Informatics, Health Studies, Life Sciences, and Social and International Studies.

Postgraduate Students

The University of Bradford also has a significant number of postgraduate students, with a focus on research and knowledge transfer. The university is ranked in the Top 50 English universities based on research funding.

International Students

The University of Bradford has a diverse student population, with 22% of its students coming from over 110 countries. The university has a strong reputation for its international focus and knowledge transfer, enhancing the cultural diversity of its student population.

Part-time and Distance Learners

In addition to full-time students, the University of Bradford also caters to part-time and distance learners. In the 2023/24 academic year, there were 943 part-time students and 462 distance learners enrolled at the university. This flexibility allows students to pursue their studies while balancing other commitments.

Foreign students

The University of Bradford has around 10,000 students, with over 20% of them joining from over 120 different countries. The university is located in the City Campus, where people from different backgrounds, faiths, nationalities, and ages come together to create a vibrant community atmosphere. The University of Bradford is ranked first in the country for social mobility impact and is the UK's number one university for social inclusion. It is also ranked #531 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The university offers a diverse range of opportunities for international students, including short programmes, study placements, work placements, and internships, and exchange programmes. The International Opportunities team supports students on their journeys across Europe, Australia, America, Asia, and Africa. The university also has partnerships with institutions worldwide, including in Dubai, Oman, France, Poland, Spain, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Canada.

The School of Management at the University of Bradford takes a global approach, with internationalisation at its core. More than 30 nationalities are represented at the Bradford campus, and over 60% of students and over 50% of faculty members are from outside the UK. The school hosts the International Masters Summer School (IMSS), bringing together Masters-level students from Bradford, Europe, and the Middle East/Gulf countries.

The University of Bradford provides comprehensive support for international students, including help with visa applications, moving to the UK, and support during their time in the country. The university also offers an on-campus college to prepare international students for their studies in the UK. The university's Distance Learning MBA is ranked best value for money by the Financial Times, and Bradford is the number one city in the UK for graduates to settle in.

Mature students

The University of Bradford welcomes students of all ages. While the university has around 10,000 students in total, mature students make up over a third of the student population. Two courses that often attract mature learners are BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) and BA (Hons) Social Work.

The average age for entry to Adult Nursing is 27, with more than a third of students being over 30. For Social Work, the average age on entry is 28, with 38% over 30. Students on the BSc Nursing course are eligible to apply for grants of between £5,000 and £8,000 per year. They will also benefit from training with cutting-edge equipment, including purpose-built simulation wards, taught by lecturers who are experienced in nursing.

The University of Bradford was the first university outside of London to offer part-time degrees, making it an ideal choice for mature students who may have other commitments. The university is located in the city of Bradford, which is one of the ten largest cities in Britain but is still small enough to be friendly and easily manageable.

Undergraduate and postgraduate numbers

The University of Bradford has a total student population of 19,588, which is divided into 11,665 undergraduate students and 7,923 postgraduate students. The university has around 10,000 students in total, with a close-knit, friendly atmosphere that enables students to get to know each other quickly. The University of Bradford is ranked #531 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and has risen over 100 places since 2024.

The University of Bradford is a public research university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It received its royal charter in 1966, making it the 40th university to be created in Britain, but its origins date back to the establishment of the Mechanics Institute in 1832. The university has a diverse student body, with mature students making up around a third of the undergraduate community and international students comprising 22% of the total student population, coming from over 110 countries.

The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across four academic faculties: Engineering & Informatics, Health Studies, Life Sciences, and Management, Law, and Social Sciences. The Faculty of Life Sciences has the most students, with more than 2,000 undergraduates admitted to a variety of courses in areas such as Biomedical Sciences, Chemical and Forensic Science, and Pharmacy. The School of Engineering offers programmes in Mechanical and Energy Systems Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, among others.

The University of Bradford is committed to social mobility and was ranked first in England on the Social Mobility Index in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. It also offers a small number of Sanctuary Scholarships for refugees each year, providing tuition fee coverage and a small amount towards living costs.

Student accommodation

The University of Bradford has approximately 10,000 students and offers a close-knit, friendly atmosphere, making it easy for students to get to know one another. The university recommends student accommodation at The Green, which is conveniently located close to the campus. The Green is also just a few minutes away from the Students' Union, the library, and lecture halls. It is a short walk from the city centre and other local attractions.

The Green offers a close-knit community feel, with social events, trips, competitions, and games organised by the Site Team and Student Wardens. There are two accommodation options: apartments and townhouses. Apartments offer more privacy, with six en-suite bedrooms, each with its own private shower room. Each apartment has a shared kitchen/dining area and living space, and bedrooms include a three-quarter bed, a desk, a study area, and a wardrobe. The townhouses are the cheapest option and are similar to traditional English terraced blocks. Each townhouse has 12 bedrooms sharing a large open-plan living space, including a kitchen/dining area and a living space with direct access to an outdoor patio/garden. Bedrooms in the townhouses are arranged with four on each floor, with two students sharing a bathroom.

If The Green cannot provide the type of accommodation you require, you can visit the Unipol Student Housing website for further assistance. Another option for student accommodation in Bradford is Arkwright House, which offers rooms ranging from £85 to £116 per week.

Frequently asked questions