Named after Robert Grosseteste, a 13th-century bishop of Lincoln, the university known as BGU stands out for its high rates of student satisfaction, as reported in successive National Student Surveys (NSS). In fact, in our latest analysis of NSS results BGU comes top in the UK for satisfaction with teaching quality and 7= for the wider student experience. Such unparalleled NSS outcomes reflect the personal touch that is the hallmark of this small university, which has fewer than 1,700 full-time undergraduates on campus.

The institution, which was founded in 1862 as an Anglican teacher-training college for women, gained university status in 2012. While teaching degrees remain the focus, BGU offers a range of subjects to students of all faiths and none.

What is Bishop Grosseteste University’s reputation?

BGU was awarded triple silver in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework in 2023, drawing praise from the TEF panel for its “highly effective teaching, assessment and feedback practices across the provider, that support students' learning, progression, and attainment”. Assessors said that course content “encourages students to engage in their learning and stretches students to develop their knowledge and skills”.

Theology produced BGU's best results in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). The university increased its submission to eight subject areas submitted by four times more staff than were assessed in the previous REF in 2014.

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available? 

From September 2024 the curriculum will be broadened to include degrees in mathematics, computing and data science; criminology; environmental psychology; Sendi (special educational needs, disability and inclusion) and music; and business and Tesol (teaching English to speakers of other languages). A foundation year joins the criminology course from 2025. A portfolio of degree apprenticeships includes an archaeological specialist apprenticeship, chartered manager apprenticeship and career development professional apprenticeship.

What are Bishop Grosseteste University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

Applicants need to be qualified with between 96 and 112 points in the Ucas tariff. Contextual offers are applied to all subjects at undergraduate level for students who meet the criteria for widening participation — undercutting the standard offer by 16 Ucas tariff points. 

Applications and new student enrolments decreased at BGU in 2023 to their lowest numbers for the past decade: 1,260 applied to the university and 540 new undergraduates were accepted on to courses. The university registered a 34 per cent increase in applications for 2024 entry by the end of March, however, which it credits with a broader uptick among education-based courses and greater interest from international students attracted by the government’s initial teacher training bursaries.

What are the graduate prospects?

BGU is 54= in our analysis of graduate prospects, based on the proportion in highly skilled work or further study 15 months after finishing their degree, considerably improved from 73rd in our previous edition. The university’s business centre provides support for start-ups and its social economy hub develops links with social enterprises, charities and community groups.

What is Bishop Grosseteste University’s campus like?

Based on a leafy site a few minutes’ walk from Lincoln Cathedral, BGU has two halls of residence on campus. One of them has modern learning facilities thanks to a £2.2 million extension that doubled the teaching space. An extended library houses student advice and learning development teams. Facilities for archaeology have been boosted by more than £427,000 funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The investment funded the renovation of the university’s archaeology laboratory and teaching spaces as well as new equipment. 

Everything you need to know about Bishop Grosseteste University’s student life and wellbeing support

Cultural activities fall under the auspices of the chaplaincy and range from a weekly discussion group tackling topical issues and termly trips to Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon, to a chapel choir, which performs at public concerts. A student advice team offers counselling and mental health support. Students also have access to a 24/7 mental health app. 

BGU is one of two universities in Lincoln, where the student vibe is livelier than the city’s quaint, historic reputation might suggest. The Venue, at the heart of the campus, is used largely as a theatre during the daytime by drama and performing arts students. By night it transforms into a cinema. The campus grounds offer a sense of calm, and students can take time out in the Peace Gardens.

BGU’s sports facilities include a sports hall, fitness suite and acres of outdoor fields. Students can stay active with fitness classes, indoor tennis, hockey, volleyball and rugby. All first-years in 2023 and 2024 could take advantage of free sport and fitness membership.   

What do the students say?

"Bishop Grosseteste University is a home away from home. BGU provides students with the opportunity to grow and develop, with small class sizes, wide-ranging support and empowering lecturers who make the work feel special and valued in the wider community."
Connor Short, students' union president and applied drama and community arts student

What about student accommodation at Bishop Grosseteste University?

BGU’s supply of bed spaces is set to double, which should help the university get closer to meeting the demand for halls of residence — which have previously outstripped supply. Accommodation is allocated on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to those who live outside the local area. An accommodation guarantee is made to those who apply for a room by June 30, though this will not necessarily be on campus.

How diverse and inclusive is Bishop Grosseteste University?

BGU has a strong record in our social inclusion index and has jumped five places to ninth overall. Outreach work targets school students from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing presentations, campus visits and help with study skills.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Bishop Grosseteste University

Nearly a third of undergraduate students qualified for some form of financial support in 2024. BGU bursaries of £600 to £3,600 a year are awarded to students who qualify under a range of personal circumstances, including parents, care-leavers, mature students and those from low-income families.