Brunel University London

Brunel is situated on a campus in Uxbridge, on the outskirts of London and just within the M25. After mergers in the 1980s and 90s the university acquired secondary campuses in Runnymede, Twickenham and Osterley which were later sold off to improve facilities at the main campus.

Background and History

Brunel started life when Acton Technical College split into two in 1957 and the Brunel College of Technology was formed with the aim of educating engineers (hence choosing to name the college after Isambard Kingdom Brunel). The University received its charter in 1966 and expanded through mergers onto new campuses. The late 90s and the early 21st century saw a contraction in the number of courses offered as departments were closed to focus on profitable areas of education. The departments of Chemistry, Physics, Material Engineering, Geography and Earth Sciences were all closed during this period.

Location and Accessibility

By Rail: Brunel can be reached on the underground via nearby Uxbridge tube station which is on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly line. National Rail services are available from West Ruislip and West Drayton stations which have bus connections to Uxbridge.

By Road: Junction 16 of the M25 is just a few miles from the campus. Services are also available to Uxbridge bus station.

Most facilities are wheelchair friendly and accommodation is available designed for usage by people with disabilities.

What's on Offer

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, MBA, Graduate (Conversion) Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, MRes, MPhil, PhD.

Entry Requirements

Brunel has a general policy of at least five passes at GCSE including a C or above in both Maths and English. Individual course requirements vary but include:

Biomedical Science: BBB at A-level, 32 points in the IB or DDD at BTEC

Law: AAB at A-level, 35 points in the IB or D* D* D* at BTEC

History: BBB at A-level, 32 points in the IB or DDD at BTEC

University Accommodation

All first year students are guaranteed a place in halls and many stay on campus beyond this. Fees vary but all include utilities and discounts are available for onsite catering.

Private Accommodation

Uxbridge is cheaper than many places in central London so a good deal can be found if you want to live close to the campus. The university operates an approved landlord scheme, which is worth checking out for possible places to stay.

Academic Schools

Brunel University is divided into 8 different schools: the School of Arts, Brunel Business School, Brunel Law School, the School of Engineering and Design, the School of Health Sciences and Social Care, the School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics, the School of Social Sciences and the School of Sport and Education.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

Since it was founded as a technical college for engineers, Brunel has kept a strong tradition of marketing its students' ideas and encouraging exposure to industry through sandwich placement schemes. Overall 82% of its research is of an international standard according to the Research Assessment Exercise.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees may vary depending on the course of study and whether you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. For further information it is advisable to contact the university directly or visit their website.

Financial Support

Means-tested scholarships are available for a reduction in fees along with Academic Excellence Scholarships for students with AAA at A-level. A number of other possibilities exist and Brunel expects one third of students to receive some financial support.

Academic Facilities

Since concentrating all of its resources onto one campus, Brunel has invested in a series of expansions and refurbishments which has helped it to get first-rate teaching facilities. Its research facilities include an MRI scanner, a 3-D body scanner, biotechnology labs and flight simulators. The library has been refurbished and there are 24 computer rooms across the campus.

Other on-site Amenities

Brunel University strives to have everything available to students onsite. This includes an impressive sports facility as well as music, drama and performing arts spaces. There are a number of eateries on campus as well as a bar and a 600-capacity nightclub.  

Medical and Social Care

Students benefit from an onsite medical centre, counselling service, mentoring and legal advice. There are a number of prayer rooms available for students to use as well as separate chaplains for Christian and Muslim services.

What's on in the Area

Uxbridge is hardly world famous but does offer a surprising amount to local residents, with numerous shops, cinemas and nightlife options around. Although slightly out on a limb in Zone 6 (making it expensive to commute to from other parts of London) Brunel's students can enjoy the best of both worlds with London a short tube ride away and the countryside attractions of the Colne Valley Park and the Grand Union Canal just around the corner. Although not as exciting as some of its contemporaries in central London, Brunel can still offer the bright lights of London from within the safety of a campus university.

Moving On

Employability is big at Brunel and there are a lot of schemes to include sandwich years in your degree. The university is also active in encouraging students to take part in entrepreneurial and design competitions and exhibits winning entrants to industry partners.

Large parts of the film A Clockwork Orange' were filmed on the campus. Notable alumni include James Cracknell, Carl Barat and Jo Brand.

Is Brunel right for you?

If you're keen to get experience in industry Brunel's sandwich courses could be perfect for you. Brunel has London on it's doorstep but also has the safety of a suburban campus university. If you're not sure about Brunel why not consider Roehampton or the University of Essex?