Most Middlesex students call Hendon, the university’s base in northwest London, their campus but its overseas locations in Dubai and Mauritius cater for up to 4,500 students and 1,000 students respectively. Practice-based learning is the theme worldwide, and the university’s flexible course system offers a January start on some programmes. Under its new 2031 learning framework, Middlesex has pledged to teach students in cluster groups to boost engagement, and teaching timetables are organised to help students to manage their studies alongside work, caring and other responsibilities.

What is Middlesex University’s reputation? 

The university’s earn-while-you-learn route is flourishing; its portfolio of 14 apprenticeship programmes attract nearly 1,500 enrolments, with students training for careers in fields such as teaching, social work and policing. Middlesex submitted work in a dozen subject areas to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), a broader range than the previous assessment in 2014. Business and management was the strongest area in the university's submission. Although Middlesex recorded an improvement in the REF 2021 compared with previous exercise, rival institutions did better, and the university has slipped more than 20 places down our research quality ranking, to 88=. With only 86.1 per cent of Middlesex students projected to carry on from the first to second year of their degrees, the university ranks among the bottom ten for continuation rates — but overall Middlesex picks up four places in our academic league table (117th).

Formerly a teacher training institute, which was founded in 1878, Middlesex became a university in 1992. In the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) it was awarded silver overall, underpinned by bronze for the student experience and silver for student outcomes. In our analysis of the National Student Survey 2024, Middlesex is 37th for students’ evaluation of teaching quality (up from 91st) and 28th for student experience (a 55-place gain). 

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

Five new degree apprenticeships launched in September 2024: digital marketer; data scientist; digital user experience professional; cyber security technical professional; and new pathways have been added to the digital and technology professional software engineering degree apprenticeship.

The university launched a degree in professional arts practice in September 2024.

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

Courses demand from 104 to 120 Ucas tariff points. Factors such as an applicant’s work experience and portfolio are also taken into consideration by the university, as is its commitment to widening participation — although there is no formal contextual admissions policy.

What are the graduate prospects?

At 118=, Middlesex has lost ground in our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey, down from 99th in our previous edition, according to the proportion of those going on to highly skilled jobs or further study within 15 months. More than 1,000 partners worldwide contribute to developing Middlesex’s courses and research; in the UK the university works with graduate employers including Warner Bros Discovery, Transport for London, the Ministry of Justice and Publicis Media. Gradstock, the university’s annual autumn recruitment fair, takes place across two sites on campus. There is another annual careers fair, CareerConnect, in the spring. Budding entrepreneurs can access workshops, mentoring and more via the MDXcelerator programme.

What is Middlesex University’s campus like?

The main campus has benefited from £200 million of investment, which has consolidated library services and added two academic buildings at the business school. Facilities for the visual arts and design include a dance theatre and studios, music, radio and television studios; fashion and textiles workshops and dedicated facilities for animation, graphic design and illustration. There are new diagnostic suites and laboratories and specialist chambers inside Hendon Town Hall to act as a mock courtroom, for use by students on law courses. There is a £23 million centre of simulation-based learning in the West Stand of the StoneX Stadium — the home ground of Saracens Rugby Club. The facility provides hands-on learning facilities to students from Middlesex’s sports science, nursing and midwifery and healthcare sciences programmes. There is a simulated hospital environment, a cardiology ward, and sport science labs that engage with professional, academy and community athletes within a live working sport facility.

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

Sports facilities include a bouldering wall and fitness pod. On campus, the students’ union hosts balls, swap and repair shops, and comedy nights. Transport links provide easy access to all that London has to offer. One-to-one short-term counselling, mental healthcare support and coordination with external services are available. A disability and dyslexia team works across departments, and students diagnosed with mental health conditions are given extra time in exams, longer loan periods for library books and access to a specialist mentor. 

What do the students say?

“Middlesex’s nurturing environment encourages students to thrive academically, socially and personally. It is a diverse, inclusive university where students can connect and build networks in London.”
Sagar Joshi, Middlesex University students’ union (MDXSU) president

What about student accommodation at Middlesex University?

Full-time first-years get priority in halls, but there is no guarantee. Once rooms are filled the university will help students to find private accommodation. Even without a guarantee, though, 100 per cent of first-year students who applied for accommodation in 2023-24 were housed.

How diverse and inclusive is Middlesex University?

Middlesex is among the most successful universities in our social inclusion index. Only one university, Bedfordshire, has a higher intake of students from non-selective state schools than Middlesex (98.7 per cent) in our latest social inclusion data. About two-thirds of students are from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds at Middlesex and more than half are the first in their family to go to university. Community-based outreach initiatives help to widen participation at Middlesex, such as raising pre-GCSE attainment with local school pupils and the Make Your Mark programme which is designed to break down barriers to higher education.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Middlesex University

Travel bursaries help with the cost of getting to applicant days. MDX student starter kits — which provide items such as laptops and iPads, and grants worth up to £1,000 — were given to 52 students from underrepresented groups beginning their studies in September 2024. The MDX Excellence Scholarships are worth £6,000 over three years to academic high-achievers in any subject. Students who need to apply for financial help from the university’s Living Costs Fund can do so more than once. Merit awards of up to £2,000 and faculty prizes may be given to talented students. Sports scholarships are available in three levels.