In step with its goal to be an engine of social mobility — and its history as one of the UK’s ten colleges of advanced technology — the University of Bradford strives for equality of opportunity and “fairer societies” through research, innovation, teaching and business engagement. In practice, this translates into schemes such as investing in a multimillion-pound three-year project to decarbonise the campus, supporting underrepresented groups to enrol — and succeed — at university, and working to decolonise the learning and teaching strategy.

In 2022 the university launched the Bradford-Renduchintala Centre for Space AI, which focuses on developing and testing low-cost AI-driven space-based technologies in Yorkshire. Its own mini satellite is scheduled to go into orbit late in 2024.

What is the University of Bradford’s reputation?

The UK’s No 1 university for social mobility for the past three years in the Higher Education Policy Institute’s annual ranking, Bradford is 15th in our social inclusion index, down from the top ten last year. 

In the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) Bradford was awarded triple silver — for its overall rating, student experience and outcomes. Assessors praised the university’s “supportive learning environment” and said the “credible articulation of educational gains” was an outstanding feature “consistent with the institution’s goals as an engine for social mobility”.

Our latest National  Student Survey analysis shows declining satisfaction with teaching quality (down nine places to 125th), however, and the wider undergraduate experience (down 35 places to 118th).

The Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) highlighted strengths in archaeology, engineering, accounting and allied health subjects. Bradford increased the number of academics who contributed to the university’s submission, compared with the previous national assessment in 2014, and 73 per cent of their work was judged world-leading or internationally excellent. But in the context of sector-wide improvement, Bradford’s gains were not enough to prevent a 25-place drop to 87th in our research quality index. 

The university’s Peace Studies and International Development department has celebrated 50 years since its first students began in 1974. It works with the Ministry of Defence, the United Nations and development banks in Africa and China and the department’s experts have contributed to the media debate on the war in Ukraine. 

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

There are no courses scheduled to close or launch in 2024 or 2025.

What are the University of Bradford’s entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?

Courses at Bradford require between 64 Ucas tariff points and 136 (equivalent to AAB at A-level). The latest available data (2022) shows that new entrants averaged 126 points, ranking the university 66th for entry standards. About half of new undergraduates join via access, foundation courses or BTec qualifications, and most study degrees within applied health, business and management, nursing and midwifery, and engineering. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of students in 2023 entered via clearing.

The university has been investing in increasing overseas recruitment. Bradford attracted a record number of new international students in 2023, with around one in five freshers (615 out of 2,950) from overseas.

Under the Bradford Progression Scheme, applicants qualify for a contextual offer eight Ucas points lower than the standard requirements if they meet one of a wide range of criteria (adult learner; low-participation neighbourhood; armed forces family; refugee or asylum seeker, or care leaver). 

What are the graduate prospects?

Bradford is comfortably in the upper half of UK universities, gaining five places to rank 51st in our analysis of the proportion of students in highly skilled jobs or undertaking postgraduate study 15 months after finishing their degree. It is a notable achievement in a city ranked as the fifth most “income-deprived” local authority in England, with employment rates below the national average.

Work experience or placements are offered within a wide range of degrees and many courses are designed with input from industry partners such as the BBC, the NHS, Jaguar Land Rover, Wm Morrison Supermarkets and Fujitsu.

What is the University of Bradford campus like?

Minutes from the centre of Bradford, the university’s self-contained City campus has facilities for accommodation, entertainment and sport as well as teaching and learning. To encourage biodiversity there are edible gardens and buildings made from hemp. Student beekeepers look after the university’s beehives.

Among Bradford’s specialist developments is the purpose-built Digital Health Enterprise Zone, which hosted one of the first mass Covid-19 vaccine trials. The Lady Hale mock court opened in 2020. The Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research opened at Bradford Royal Infirmary in 2019 in partnership with the University of Leeds and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. New facilities for students within the Faculties of Health and Life Science include clinical skills suites, CT, x-ray and virtual reality simulation facilities as well as world-class optometry resources. An Innovation Lab has been established to nurture entrepreneurs.

Everything you need to know about the University of Bradford’s student life and wellbeing support

Bradford takes a holistic approach, helping everyone to feel connected with university life through students’ union events, a peer support wellbeing scheme, and celebrating religious festivals — as well as providing counselling and mental health appointments. Bradford also has a “calm room” – offering a sensory experience via a mobile tablet. Students have access to a 24-hour helpline too, as well as a digital mental health app. 

Unique Fitness & Lifestyle on the City campus has a swimming pool, climbing wall and squash courts and offers a range of classes as well as beauty therapy services. There is also a multi-use games area and a 3G five-a-side football pitch. A five-minute walk from campus brings students to the Sports Park where there is a full-size football pitch, plus tennis courts and a conditioning suite. 

The UK’s City of Culture 2025, Bradford has new and refurbished facilities opening close to the campus and around the city.

What do the students say?

"The campus at Bradford is brilliant, it’s compact so everything is easy to get to. All the facilities are well equipped, including IT resources, and the PC suites are always available when you need them. The societies at Bradford are great and have helped me develop personally. Getting involved in them has been a key part of my university journey, they have really helped me develop and step out of my comfort zone, and I'm now much more confident."
Anjali Prajapati, BSc. Clinical Sciences graduate and UBU Activities Council Representative 2022/23

What about student accommodation in the University of Bradford?

Allocation is on a first-come, first-served basis to the 1,002 rooms available at the Green, the student village endorsed by the university, although the majority of students live at home and commute in.

How diverse and inclusive is the University of Bradford?

More than two thirds of entrants are the first in their family to go to university (third in England and Wales) and nearly three quarters are from black and ethnic minority backgrounds (sixth). The university is also among the most successful at narrowing the black awarding gap (minus 5.6 per cent, seventh). Overall, however, Bradford has slipped out of the top ten to rank 15th for social inclusion. 

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Bradford

More than 3,000 cash bursaries are awarded to students with a household income of less than £30,000. A number of country-specific scholarships help attract international students from Pakistan, Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa, among other regions.