Buckinghamshire New University

Address and Location

Buckinghamshire New University is situated halfway between London and Oxford in High Wycombe, the second largest town in Buckinghamshire. Until not long ago Bucks New University comprised two campuses, one in High Wycombe and one in Uxbridge. Following major redevelopment, all of the university's courses are now concentrated at the main campus in High Wycombe, with the exception of nursing. The town centre is within easy walking distance and London is a short train ride away.

 

 

Background and History

The institution changed its name from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College to Buckinghamshire New University ('Bucks') when its application for university status was approved in 2007. The major redevelopment that followed this change led to the institution's High Wycombe campus being endowed with a striking new 'Gateway' structure, symbolic of the organisation's vision for student achievement.

Location and Accessibility

By rail: For the High Wycombe campus, catch one of the Chiltern Railways services from Marylebone to High Wycombe. The campus is a short walk from the station.

By bus: The High Wycombe campus is a few minutes' walk from the town bus station.

Accessibility: Buckingham New University offers a disability support service and all university buildings are wheelchair-accessible.

What's on Offer?

The university offers both full and part-time undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc), foundation degrees (FDA) and postgraduate courses (MA, MSc).

Entry Requirements

Most courses require a UCAS score of between 200 and 240 points, with Maths and English at grade C or above. An exception to this is Law, which requires a score of 300-340 points. Entry requirements for postgraduate degrees vary: see the university website for more details.

University Accommodation

Bucks offers accommodation in halls or other university-managed properties for the majority of freshers. Students living within a 25-mile radius of the High Wycombe campus are not provided with university accommodation, however.

 Private Accommodation

The university offers advice on finding private accommodation in the area.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

Research at Bucks is focused on business, commerce and industry, as well as the public and voluntary sectors. The university encourages a collaborative approach and has particularly close links with overseas institutions, local government and various local industries. Bucks was ranked number one for teaching child nursing, second for adult nursing and third for mental health nursing by NHS London, putting the university in the top three for all of the categories in which it offers provision.

Tuition Fees

Undergraduate fees are currently £9,000 per year. Fees for international students, postgraduates and foundation courses vary.

Financial Support

The National Scholarship Programme provides support for students from lower-income families and those from groups currently under-represented in higher education. The university also offers support to students who are in financial difficulty through the Access to Learning Fund and Bucks Advantage bursary scheme. Disabled students may be eligible for disabled student allowances.

Academic Facilities

There is a library situated on each campus, housing the university's impressive collection of books, CDs, journals and databases, in addition to a virtual learning environment for students to use when absent from lectures.

Other on-site Amenities

The university's main sports and recreation facilities are located at the High Wycombe campus, where amenities include a sports hall, gym, human performance laboratory, treatment rooms and a dance studio. The human performance laboratory provides support for anyone who feels that they will benefit from physiological assessments or nutritional and dietary analysis. The campus in Uxbridge is close to both the Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Centre and Uxbridge Lido, giving students access to an Olympic-sized pool and fitness centre. Bucks Students' Union has won awards for its bar and live music venue, located on the High Wycombe campus.

Medical and Social Care

The university has a wide range of Student Support available. This includes a multi-faith chaplaincy and free student counselling service.

What's on in the area?

On campus are a variety of university bars and venues, and the town offers plenty of pubs and clubs. Also popular with students is the new AMF bowling multiplex in High Wycombe.In 2010 the town achieved a Purple Flag award, meaning the area has been recognised as offering evening visitors an entertaining and safe night out. For weekend visits, London and Oxford are only an hour away.

 

Moving On

The university has a dedicated team of careers and employment specialists who work in partnership with academic colleagues, employers and the Students' Union to prepare learners for the world of work.

Unusually, around two-thirds of the university population are over 21. Mighty Boosh creators Noel Fielding and Dave Brown both studied at the university.

Is Buckinghamshire New University the place for you?

Bucks offers a unique combination of big city and campus life. London is close enough to visit at the weekend, while the rest of the week students have the facilities, activities and nightlife to keep them happy at home. For something similar, try Royal Holloway University in Egham, Surrey.