The University of Bedfordshire strongly believes that financial worries should not be a barrier to higher education — and every full-time home undergraduate received some form of financial help in 2024 (see below). Formed by the 2006 merger of the University of Luton and De Montfort University's Bedford campus, Bedfordshire is a modern university with a professional slant. One of the UK’s leading providers of training for physical education teachers, it is the education partner of Luton Town football club and Bedford Blues rugby union club, enabling students to gain behind-the-scenes experience to help their future careers.
The institution stretches across sites in Luton, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury and markets its proximity to London as a big draw, although the social scenes are lively enough closer to home.
What is the University of Bedfordshire's reputation?
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) creative writing and English were among the top-scoring subjects, while 60 per cent of the university’s research overall was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent, securing the university a place comfortably inside the top 100 of our research quality index, at 85=. It is one of seven universities in The Sunday Times guide to have received only a bronze overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), although this is underpinned by silver for the student experience, with assessors crediting its “inspiring course content and delivery that actively engages students”, and its “use of research, innovation, scholarship, professional practice and employer engagement contributing to a very high quality academic experience for students”.
The results of the National Student Survey show a dip in rates of student satisfaction, with our analysis ranking Bedfordshire 60th for teaching quality (down 14 places) and 78th for the wider experience (down seven places). The proportion of students achieving firsts and 2.1s is among the bottom five in our table, as is the student-staff ratio. This, combined with persistently low continuation rates, explains its position in our main academic league: 129th, third from the bottom.
The university’s business and management courses were investigated by the Office for Students, England’s higher education regulator, whose report in 2024 highlighted three “concerns” — among them “limited central monitoring of student engagement with their course”, including those at risk of dropping out, and a lack of steps to address “low continuation rates”. But Bedfordshire’s achievements on carbon management, ethical careers, energy sources, waste and recycling, and water reduction have earned it an impressive third place in the 2023-24 People & Planet league, which ranks UK universities by environmental and ethical performance.
The university is among a number of higher education institutions that have suffered a steep drop in the proportion of fee income paid by UK students, as the real value of tuition fees declines amid the rising cost of living and international expansion. In response to analysis by Hesa, Bedfordshire stated that it had exited a significant partnership in January 2023, which accounted for much of the change in income.
What new courses are available?
From 2025 four degrees launch — social media content creation and a suite of three social policy programmes — as well as paramedic, occupational therapy and physiotherapy degree apprenticeships. Diplomas and certificates in higher education in coaching and construction-related subjects joined the curriculum in September 2024, as did English with TSOL. No courses have been discontinued.
What are the University of Bedfordshire’s entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?
Degree courses demand from 96 points in the Ucas tariff up to 120 points. A widening participation university, Bedfordshire includes foundation years on many degrees. Applicants are considered based on their individual skills and background rather than entry tariff alone, though contextual data is not part of the admissions process.
Demand for places has been in decline and applications in 2023 were almost half the number they were a decade before in 2014, while new student numbers were about 40 per cent lower across the same time frame.
What are the graduate prospects?
Bedfordshire aims to boost careers for graduates through professional accreditations, paid internships and live experience projects. In our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which compares the numbers in highly skilled work or further study 15 months after finishing a degree, Bedfordshire has risen three places since last year to 113th but is still in the bottom 20.
What is the University of Bedfordshire’s campus like?
Bedfordshire’s Luton site is the largest of its five campuses. Its 6,000 sq m building for Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) is part of a six-year £180 million investment. The Bedford campus, in a leafy setting a 20-minute walk from the town centre, houses the Faculty of Education, English and Sport as well as courses in performing arts, law and business management. For students within the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, learning environments at Luton and Bedford have facilities that simulate settings including a health and social care centre, a police custody suite, an operating theatre, hospital ward and pharmacy, while the School of Computer Science and Technology has the latest cybersecurity simulation tools.
The Aylesbury campus at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital (home of the highly regarded National Spinal Injuries Centre) is Bedfordshire’s newest, opened in 2020. At the Milton Keynes campus, courses range from human resource management to professional social work practice, while the Putteridge Bury campus doubles as a management centre and conference venue.
What about student accommodation at the University of Bedfordshire?
Many students live at home and commute. First-years are guaranteed a space in student accommodation, divided across the Luton and Bedford campuses.
Everything you need to know about the University of Bedfordshire’s student life and wellbeing support
Students have free access to activities such as football, basketball, swimming, racket sports and fitness classes through the Get Active membership scheme. The university-owned Aspire gyms at both main sites have high-quality equipment, while the Bedford campus has an arena with show courts for basketball, netball and futsal. Shuttle buses take students to the playing fields and a multipurpose sports hall.
Bedfordshire has been a member of the University Mental Health Charter since 2021 and student information desks can be accessed on campus, online and by phone.
Cultural life on campus is supported by the School of Arts and Creative Industries’ facilities, including fashion and interior design studios, two theatres, a television studio and four dance studios.
What do the students say?
“Student support is exceptional; they offer both mental and financial support. This university has given me a multitude of opportunities. I’ve been given the opportunity to interview Premier League footballers, and attend a press conference. This is a university which genuinely cares about the growth, comfort and education of its students.”
Amia Clarke-Beggs, journalism student
How diverse and inclusive is the University of Bedfordshire?
Bedfordshire recruits the highest proportion of students from non-selective state schools (99.7 per cent) and continues to make inroads into widening access to university. However, it has plunged 43 places to 81st in our social inclusion, having featured in the top 10 as recently as our 2022 edition.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Bedfordshire
The university’s awards to students included a minimum bursary of £1,000 paid over the duration of a three-year course, or £1,300 across a four-year degree with a foundation year. Bursaries for care-leavers or estranged students added £5,700, while students who entered with more than 120 Ucas tariff points qualified for merit scholarships of £2,400 over three years.
Sports scholarships of up to £1,500 are available, depending on the student’s performance level – from regional up to international standard, or if they have played in the Bucs (British Universities & Colleges Sport) league in the previous 12 months.
